1989 Dodge Caravan Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Dodge Caravan, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission4822.0%
- Body & structure4118.8%
- Interior & seats3214.7%
- Engine2611.9%
- Seat belts156.9%
- Electrical146.4%
- Brakes104.6%
- Visibility62.8%
- Other / unspecified52.3%
- Tires & wheels31.4%
- Powertrain (other)31.4%
- Heating & air conditioning31.4%
- Fuel system31.4%
- Suspension31.4%
- Steering20.9%
- Exterior lighting20.9%
- Driver assistance20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY AFTER A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED, INITIALLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE BREAKAGE OF TWO AXLES, MAIN AXLE, VAC PINION AND BOTH FRONT BEARINGS (R4761821-AA TRANSMISSION-41T 2100 2001). NLM
TRUNK DOOR, WHEN OPENING WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION, WILL SLAM SHUT. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN DRIVE, IT WILL NOT TAKE OFF. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE IT IN D1 CONSTANTLY, WHEN SHE DRIVES IT IN D2 VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK *SLC
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIBRATION CAUSING BODY OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO CRACK . BOLTS THAT HOLD LOCKING MECHANISM HAD EXPANDED, AND THEY FELL INSIDE OF DOOR. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *AK
WHILE BACK DOOR IS OPENED COULD BE PLACING ANYTHING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL BE DROPING DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. DEALER HAD TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT STILL PROBLEM CONTINUED JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN RECALL 95 I 001 008. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE HAS DEVELOPED AN UNUSUAL AND UNSAFE CONDITION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO LOCK BY ITSELF WHEREBY IT IS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED BY ANY MEANS FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IS FROM THE OUTSIDE BY USE OF THE KEY. *AK
DRIVER SEAT CAME UNBOLTED FROM FLOORBOARD IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, ALLOWING DRIVER TO HIT STEERING COLUMN, WINDSHIELD AND DASH BOARD RESULTING IN CRITICAL INJURIES. BOTH VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING APPROX. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 89V237000. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AS WELL AS MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO GET HIS CAR SERVICED. HOWEVER, TO THIS DAY HIS CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN SERVICED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH DEALER. *AK *NLM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD PASSENGER WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SPRING INSIDE OF THE MECHANISM BROKE, THIS SPRING STOPPED SEATBELT FROM COMING OUT OF SEATBELT RETRACTOR IN COLLISION. PASSENGER WAS THROWN AGAINST WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED NECK AND HEAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
DRIVER'S/FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ARM CAME UNWELDED FROM CHASSIS, NO WARNING, OCCUPANTS RIDE UNRESTRAINED; NO REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS. *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. REPLACED WINDOW. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRE STRAND THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE ONTO VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, IT SNAPPED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF.*AK JLG
WHILE DRIVING SPARE TIRE FELL OFF ON THE ROAD. THE CABLE, THAT SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE,HAD BROKEN. VEHICLE BEHIND HIT TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED NOTHING WILL BE DONE DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
DASHBOARD WARPED/SCREWS FALLING OUT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED THE VAN SHIFTS INTO SECOND OR NEUTRAL GEAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH SPEED THE VAN SHIFTS INTO SECOND OR NEUTRAL GEAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD BUT, DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO WRITE. IT IS THE PAINT & THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME THAT IN 89 VEHICLES DID NOT RECEIVE PRIMER AND THEREFORE CAUSED PAINT TO CHIP. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS BUT TO PASSIFY ME THEY WOULD ALLOW 200 TO SPOT PAINT MY VAN AND I WOULD PAY 200 AT MAACO. NOT THERE DEALERSHIP SHOP BUT MAACO AND TO ONLY ALLOW SPOT PAINTING. I HAD ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE HOOD AND FRONT FENDERS PAINTED BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD AND THE ROOF IS NOW HORRIBLE! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND FEEL IT IS ONLY RIGHT THEY PAINT THE VAN AND GET IT OVER WITH! I HAVE COMPLAINED FOR THE PAST FIVE OR MORE YEARS ABOUT THE VAN STALLING OUT IF I USE MY AIR CONDITIONER BUT NONE OF THE DODGE DEALERS CAN OR WILL FIND ANY PROBLEM SO I SUFFER IN THE HEAT. IF I USE THE A/C AND WHEN I REACH MY DESTINATION AND SHUT IT OFF EVEN IF I LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT THE VAN WILL STALL OUT.PLEASE FORWARD TO PROPER PEOPLE AND LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THESE TWO PROBLEMS. I AM NOT TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ONLY WANT COMFORT . I PLAN ON BUYING ANOTHER DODGE PROBABLY IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS AS OTHER THAN THE AFORE MENTIONED IRRATATIONS I HAVE ENJOYED MY VAN AND GOTTEN A LOT OF USE OUT OF IT AND WANT TO KEEP IT!*AK
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT APPLICATION OF MY VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE FINISH ON MY CAR HAS DETERIORATED GRADUALLY SINCE EARLY IN THE LIFE OF MY CAR. IT IS NOW AT THE POINT THAT IT IS COVERED WITH SOME TYPE OF PEELING FILM AND HAS A DULL FINISH. I FOUND EVIDENCE THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT AND THEREFORE I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAINT MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE. ALSO THE AIR CONITIONING HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED SATISFACTORY AND I HAVE INCURRED ABOUT $1000 IN REPAIR BILLS TO TRY TO CORRECT IT AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO CERTAIN CONSUMER REPORTS VEHICLES LIKE MINE HAVE BEEN RATED FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND PAINT PROBLEMS. I FEEL THE MFR. SHOULD REMEDY THIS SITUATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL INJECTOR LEAK SPRAYS HIGH PRESSURE GASOLINE ON TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE LEAK FROM INJECTOR ONTO HOT COMPONENTS OF ENGINE. LEAKAGE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY WITH DECREASE IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. INJECTOR: BENDIX DEKA 4418213
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE THE NEWLY INSTALLED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS DEFFECTIVE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON HER VEHICLE BROKE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
THE LEAF SPRING BROKE AT 80,000 MILES AND THE WHOLE BACK OF THE CAR JUST FELL DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING BELT TENSIONER FRACTURED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. TT *SLC
DRIVING ALONG AND STEERING COLUMN FELL IN HER LAP. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NEARLY BRIGHT ENOUGH AND ARE AN UNSAFELY DESIGNED. *AK
TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS FAIL INTERMITTANTLY, REPLACEMENT UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEHICLE WENT INTO HIGH IDLE & SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES;TOOK DEALER & FOUND NO PROBLEM. PRIVATE MECHANIC SAID PEDAL WAS NOT STICKING; HAD SHIFTED TO REVERSE & HAD HIGH IDLE & VEHILCE HIT PEDAL POST IN PARKING GARAGE. *AK
WHEN BACKING OUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. STARTED VEHICLE IN MORNIG, ACCELERATED FORWARD. DID NOT MATTER IN WHAT GEAR VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS/FORWARDS. APPLIED BRAKES BOTH TIMES AND THEY WERE BURNED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .