1P3BJ36D4JC1939341988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLELE
1988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
1988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE
1988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
4 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (50%), Suspension/Wheels (25%), Steering (25%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- PLYMOUTH
- Model
- CARAVELLE
- Year
- 1988
- Trim / Series
- LE
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Engine
- 2.2L
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- FCA US LLC
- Assembly
- DETROIT, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (USA)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: DETROIT, MICHIGAN
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~64%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
Recall completion rate data not available for PLYMOUTH. Industry average is ~85%. Verify any open recalls with a dealer before purchase.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~20 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
SUSPENSION
SummaryFEDERAL 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.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
Complaint Intelligence
4 complaints analyzed across 3 system categories
Owner Complaints
4 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMP AND SMELLED RUBBER. SHE PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR KUMHO TIRE WAS FLAT AND HAD BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE SIZE WAS 1857R14-88T, WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DROP DOWN MENU AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 134,077 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132.
STEERING COLUMN BROKE LOOSE AND STEERING DROPPED DOWN IN LAP. TURNED OFF CAR, AND CAUSED CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE BRAKES. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS MODELS OF SIMILAR MAKE AND YEAR HAD BEEN RECALLED AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED TOO. *YH
PURCHASE CAR USED CAR TO DEALER ABOUT SIX TIME WITH THE OIL LEAKING THE ENGINE NEED TO REPLACE. TT
THE REAR AXLE WELD JOINT IS BROKE WHILE DRIVING OVER 3" CURB AT 5 MPH AND AT AN ANGLE. *AK
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 4 NHTSA complaints on file for the PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE — a relatively low volume that spans from 1995 to 2007.
The amber reliability line averaged 100/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 99/100 in 1995.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $55,614 (~$927/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1988 PLYMOUTH CARAVELLE — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 1P3BJ36D4JC193934. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1P3BJ36D4JC193934 |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Make | PLYMOUTH |
| Model | CARAVELLE |
| Trim | LE |
| Series | Medium |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
Engine
| Displacement (L) | 2.2 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | FCA US LLC |
| Assembly City | DETROIT |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1P3 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 4 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | J |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | C |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 193934 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 4 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 7:00:12 AM.