1987 Dodge Caravan recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
What could happen: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POS…
The fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E033000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
What could happen: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95I001004.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.
Notes: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE A STRONGER LATCH WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-MINIVAN (1-800-646-4826).
3. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
What could happen: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95I001008.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.
Notes: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE A STRONGER LATCH WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-MINIVAN (1-800-646-4826).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1987 Dodge Caravan owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Latches / locks (16), Engine (14), Body / structure (10), Seats (8), Transmission / drivetrain (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/02/2003 · Wheels / tires
IN 1997 I PURCHASED TWO KELLY SPRINGFIELD TIRES. ON JUNE 14, 2002 THE TREAD ON ONE OF THEM PEELED OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED IT (WITH SOME ADDITIONAL COST). ON JUNE 23, 2003 THE TREAD ON THE OTHER TIRE PEELED OFF. I REPLACED IT AT A LOCATION SOME 300 MILES FROM HOME BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP THE BAD TIRE. I BELIEVE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A NOTICE OF RECALL ON THE…
06/27/2000 · Equipment
TIRE CARRIER RUSTED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF UNDER THE VAN, AND BOUNCE ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WERE UNWILLING TO REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK *ML
05/16/2000 · Engine
I HAVE REPLACED THIS ENGINE TWICE AND NOW I AM ON THE THIRD TIME .I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACE ENGINE IN CARS OR VANS. IT IS MY IMPRESSION THAT THE DODGE COMPANY STANDS BY THEIR PRODUCTS OF EXCELLENT . BUT GUESS I WAS WRONG , I WILL TELL ALL MY FRIEND NOT TO BUY DODGE CARS AND VANS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME PLEASE LET ME KNOW . THANK YOU
04/13/1999 · Seats
DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WIHTOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS AND LOSE CONTROL WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
02/12/1999 · Fuel system
IN EXTREME COLD CONDITION VEHICLE SLOWED TO 25 MPH AND WOULD GO NO FASTER. MANUFACTURER SAID THE GAS LINE WAS FREEZING NEAR THE CARBORATOR DUE TO CONDENSATION AND FREEZING, KNOWN PROBLEM AND A FIX IS AVAILABLE. DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR FIX, SAYING IT WAS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE THEREFORE NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. IF THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN EXTREME COLD…
01/08/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION ON A SLIGHT SLANT LEFT IDLING FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHEN IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
11/02/1998 · Suspension
VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO POOR STABILITY.
07/08/1998 · Engine
ENGINE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER AND SOMETIMES WILL JUST CUT OFF AT ANY SPEED.