Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Plymouth CARAVELLE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

51,566 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1985 to 1988 model years. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 8 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior225.0%
Engine operation112.5%
Steering behavior112.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System1
Power Train:Automatic Transmission1
Power Train:Axle Assembly1
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly1
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar1

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
3
2000
2
2001
1
2004
1
2007
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19953
20002
20011
20041
20071

1995: 3; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10065232 · 2004-03-30 (March 30, 2004)

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SINCE MID DECEMBER 2003.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065232 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 882045 · 2001-03-05 (March 5, 2001)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882045 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 861311 · 2000-05-03 (May 3, 2000)

CARBURETOR KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. DEALER WILL PROVIDE A REBUILT CARBURETOR. BUT WILL ONLY GUARANTEE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861311 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1985
2
1986
2
1987
1
1988
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19852
19862
19871
19880

1985: 2; 1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 0

Year-by-year records

Plymouth CARAVELLE model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
198512Not available
1986120
198721-1
198840-1
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

25.0%Usable mileage2 / 8 records
75.0%Valid incident date6 / 8 records
100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records
75.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 8 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1985198619871988
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 861699

CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUNDED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GOING THROUGH. CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 861699 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 970365

PURCHASE CAR USED CAR TO DEALER ABOUT SIX TIME WITH THE OIL LEAKING THE ENGINE NEED TO REPLACE. TT

Look up ODI 970365 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 861699

CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUNDED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GOING THROUGH. CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 861699 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1100.0%
ODI 861311

CARBURETOR KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. DEALER WILL PROVIDE A REBUILT CARBURETOR. BUT WILL ONLY GUARANTEE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. *AK

Look up ODI 861311 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 10065232 · 103,000 mi

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SINCE MID DECEMBER 2003.*AK

Look up ODI 10065232 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Axle Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 966384

THE REAR AXLE WELD JOINT IS BROKE WHILE DRIVING OVER 3" CURB AT 5 MPH AND AT AN ANGLE. *AK

Look up ODI 966384 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 961809

SEAT BELT BUCKLE PLASTIC IN SIDE BUCKLE HAS BROKE CAN NOT LATCH SEAT. TT

Look up ODI 961809 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.0%
ODI 882045

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

Look up ODI 882045 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Power Train:Automatic TransmissionToo few reports for a range103,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10065232 · 103,000 mi

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SINCE MID DECEMBER 2003.*AK

Look up ODI 10065232 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1987: 0 complaints · 1988: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1987000
1988000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1987200
1988310

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor SystemPower Train:Automatic TransmissionPower Train:Axle AssemblySeat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblySteering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch—0
1
ODI 861699

CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUNDED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GOING THROUGH. CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 861699 at NHTSA ↗

00000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0—000000
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
ODI 861699

CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUNDED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GOING THROUGH. CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 861699 at NHTSA ↗

0—00000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System000—0000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission0000—000
Power Train:Axle Assembly00000—00
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly000000—0
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 861699

CAR WOULD NOT START. SOUNDED LIKE FUEL WAS NOT GOING THROUGH. CONSUMER REPLACED FUEL SYSTEM, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 861699 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 103,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10065232 · 103,000 mi

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. CONSUMER HAD TO CONSTANTLY KEEP THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SINCE MID DECEMBER 2003.*AK

Look up ODI 10065232 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 861311

CARBURETOR KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, AND WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS. DEALER WILL PROVIDE A REBUILT CARBURETOR. BUT WILL ONLY GUARANTEE IT FOR 3 MONTHS. *AK

Look up ODI 861311 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b