1987 Dodge Caravan problems
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Common 1987 Dodge Caravan problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1987 Dodge Caravan, several common problems have been reported:
- Starting and Stalling Problem: Some owners experienced difficulties with starting the 1987 Dodge Caravan, especially on cold mornings. The engine would run rough, stall, and fail to restart, particularly after a short drive. This issue could be related to carburetor flooding or other maintenance needs like spark plug replacement, fuel filter replacement, or carburetor repair.
- Reliability Problems: The 1987 Dodge Caravan faced reliability issues related to its transmission, specifically with the Ultradrive 4-speed automatic transmission. This transmission had problems with "gear hunt" or "shift busyness," leading to premature wear of internal clutches. Many owners mistakenly used the wrong type of automatic transmission fluid, causing further damage. While efforts were made to improve the transmission's reliability, early models often required retrofits or replacements to address these issues.
These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the smooth operation and longevity of the 1987 Dodge Caravan.
What is the most common problem with the Dodge Caravan?
Some of the top Dodge Grand Caravan problems include shifting issues, a faulty Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and engine troubles.
What are the best years for the Dodge Grand Caravan?
We recommend the 2007, 2010, 2019, and 2020 selections. We hope this information is helpful! It might feel overwhelming to select the best year for the Caravan, so our knowledge should make the process much easier.
How many miles will a Dodge Caravan last?
Typically, a Dodge Grand Caravan will survive 200,000-300,000 miles with excellent care, which places high mileage for the vehicle around the 200,000-mile mark and good mileage at 150,000 miles. Anything better than these numbers is a testament to your effort.
What is the problem with the Dodge 3.3 engine?
Many engine failures in the 3.3/3.8L V6 have been attributed to cam bearing failure, which can usually be traced back to a low oil level or loss of oil pressure due to a worn oil pump. When the cam bearings are starved for oil, metal particles can flake off and circulate throughout the engine.
Do Dodge Caravans have problems?
Other common problems for various Dodge Caravan model years include the front crankshaft seal popping out, power door lock failure, and engine stalling.
What year Dodge Caravan is most reliable?
The Dodge Grand Caravans with the best reliability are the 2020, 2007, and 2010 models. Some of the top Dodge Grand Caravan problems include shifting issues, a faulty Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and engine troubles.
Is used Dodge Caravan a good car?
Although there are some troublesome years for the Dodge Caravan, it's generally a dependable vehicle option if you're interested in a minivan. Some of the newest versions even prove more reliable as they age, a massive bonus for those behind the wheel.
What is the oldest Dodge Caravan?
First generation (1984–1990) Originally slated for introduction as a 1982 model, the Dodge Caravan was introduced alongside the Plymouth Voyager in November 1983 for the 1984 model year.
1987 Dodge Caravan car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Caravan problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Structure problems
- Seats problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Dodge Caravan vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1987 Dodge Caravan
The NHTSA has received 86 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Dodge Caravan. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1987 Dodge Caravan vehicles.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-23
- VIN: 1B4FK4139HX
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 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 THESE TIRES, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ONE. GOODYEAR NO LONGER SELLS THIS TIRE. ALSO THE MANUFACTURER, GOODYEAR, WAS NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY REFUND BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE BAD TIRE TO SHOW THEM. I DID HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRE.*AK
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-21
- VIN: 2B4FK41G3HR
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-16
- VIN: 2B4FK4IGOHR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2B4FK41G1HR
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WIHTOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO FALL BACKWARDS AND LOSE CONTROL WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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 WHERE A BREAKDOWN OR COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF THE ENGINE WOULD OCCUR, PEOPLE COULD FREEZE TO DEATH DUE TO WALKING FOR HELP OR STAYING IN CAR WITH NO SOURCE OF HEAT. ALSO, TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS OR INTERSTATE AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 25 MPH TO GET TO A PLACE FOR HELP (ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST) IS VERY DANGEROUS. PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM LONG AGO.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3WHS4T5MO
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO POOR STABILITY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-04-01
- VIN: 2B4EI4135HR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE STALLS IN WARM WEATHER AND SOMETIMES WILL JUST CUT OFF AT ANY SPEED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2B4FK51G2HR
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE THROTTLE STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STICKS DURING LONG HOT TRIPS WITH CONSTANT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND REMAINS STUCK UNTIL THE ENGIN COOLS COMPLETELY. DOES NOT STICK ON SHORT DRIVES.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-12
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2B4FK21G2HR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE: WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STILL RUNNING. WENT TO SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. SOMEONE CAME AND SHUT OFF, AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-05-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1D4FK5137HX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE W/CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE STALLED; ALL LIGHTS FAILED. GOT TO SIDE OF ROAD ,POPPED HOOD; FLAMES SHOT UP & OUT; FIRE STARTED BEHIND BATTERY CABLE. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED TO PUT FLAMES OUT; SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- VIN: 2B4FK51G1HR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL SHORT, THE CIRCUIT FUSE THAT GOES TO THE WIRING OVERCHARGES, CAUSING BATTERY TO OVERCHARGE AND LOSE POWER. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-16
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2B4FK41GXHR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: UPON STARTING, LEFT ENGINE RUNNING, THEN WALKED AWAY A FEW MINUTES, UPON RETURNING OPENED DOOR AND FOUND BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND STEERING WHEEL NEAR IGNITION ON DASH AREA, THEN FIRE STARTED TO SPREAD THOUGHOUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-04
- VIN: 2B4FK51G9HR
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING: WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MADE A TURN WENT TO TURN STEERING RACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME RIGHT OFF, HAVE NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR YET. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-20
- VIN: 2B4FK4135HR
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF TRANSMISSION.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-20
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MOTOR MOUNT CAME OFF, ENGINE FELL ON TOP OF LEFT DRIVE SHAFT, CAUSING IT TO BRAKE AND DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-01-01
- VIN: 2B4FK5139HR
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: LIFTGATE SUPPORTS FAIL TO SUPPORT LIFTGATE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1982-09-12
- VIN: 2B4FK5139HR
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BACK FAR RIGHT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS TOO SHORT, WILL NOT FIT OVER THE TOP PART OF BODY.*AK
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-17
- VIN: UNK.
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: THE CABLE BROKE AND THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-09-10
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO RETRACT, CAUSING IT TO LOCK IN POSITION. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-01-01
- VIN: 2B4FK4131HR
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BACK BREAKS AT LOWER RIGHT JOINT, CAUSING DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-06-17
- VIN: 2B4FK5IGOHR
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: FRONT SEAT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S MANUAL WINDOW (HANDLES) STICK COULD RESULT IN ENTRAPMENT UPON EMERGENCY EXIT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-07-11
- VIN: 2B4FK21CHR1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILED DUE TO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS/ AXLE LEAKS OIL. *SD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-06-25
- VIN: 2B4FK41G0HR
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FAILED TWICE. *DSH
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-09
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2B4FK41G0HR
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
1987 Dodge Caravan recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1987 Dodge Caravan.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Dodge Caravan problems:
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