Selling an old Plymouth Caravelle
Fuel leaking under the hood is the subject of two of the three Plymouth Caravelle recalls. In one, a loose hose clamp could let fuel escape and start an engine-compartment fire. Owners filed only 8 complaints with NHTSA, and none report a crash, fire or injury.
- Model years (EPA)
- 1985-1989
- Platform
- E-body sedan, front-wheel drive
- Built in
- Jefferson Avenue Assembly, Detroit
- Engines
- 2.2 K, 2.2 turbo, 2.5 K, 2.6 Mitsubishi
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 8
- Recall campaigns
- 3
Wikipedia says the Caravelle sedan began as the Chrysler E-Class, given a new grille and a Plymouth badge for 1985. If yours has reached the end, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
The E-body sedan and its recalls
Wikipedia lists the U.S. sedan on Chrysler's E platform, built at Jefferson Avenue Assembly in Detroit, with a 2.2-liter K four, a 2.2 turbo, a 2.5-liter K four or a 2.6-liter Mitsubishi four. U.S. production was 39,971 for 1985, 34,352 for 1986 and 42,465 for 1987. The sedan ended after 1988, and the Acclaim replaced it for 1989. EPA data still lists a 1989 Caravelle.
- 85V010000 (1985): a fuel hose to the pressure regulator may have a loose clamp. A leak could cause an engine-compartment fire. 53,000 vehicles in the campaign.
- 88V105000 (1985-1987): on a cold day, Caravelle fuel can seep out at the joint of the supply hose, the pressure regulator and the fuel rail. Dealers move the regulator and fit a formed hose. 580,000 vehicles in the campaign. That count can cover more than the Caravelle.
- 88V061000 (1986): a replacement driver's seat cushion may have a brace that hits the power seat adjuster. 1,500 vehicles.
Complaints and recalls by year
Caravelle totals come from NHTSA owner complaints counted on October 10, 2026.
| Year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1 (fuel system) | 2 |
| 1986 | 1 (seat belts) | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 (fuel system, power train) | 1 |
| 1988 | 4 (power train, engine, steering, tires) | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 |
Keep it or sell it?
With fuel recalls on the 1985-1987, run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup before anything else. A car that has been parked for years usually needs more than one fix; sitting for years covers what tends to come up. If the total passes what a running Caravelle brings, selling as is is the simpler path.
Selling the Caravelle whole
- Have the VIN and condition ready.
- Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Tell us where the Caravelle sits and if someone could push it. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
- Bring the title and a photo ID. See after you sell for plates.
See also the Acclaim, Reliant and Gran Fury, or all of Plymouth.
Questions people ask
- Was the 580,000-vehicle fuel leak recall all Caravelles?
- No. That is the whole campaign, 88V105000, and the total may include other models. For the Caravelle it applies to 1985-1987 cars.
- Why are there so few complaints on file?
- NHTSA held eight Caravelle complaints on October 10, 2026. Not one mentions a crash, fire or injury. A small count is not a clean bill of health; it only means few owners filed. Later Caravelles also had fewer years in service to draw reports.
- Will you buy a Caravelle that won't start?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data (model years and classes) fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA complaints flat file, counted October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 85V010000: fuel hose clamp, 1985 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 88V061000: replacement seat cushion, 1986 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 88V105000: cold-weather fuel leak, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Plymouth Caravelle en.wikipedia.org