1989 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
144 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
185,542 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 144 complaints (24.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 28 | 19.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 35 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 23 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 12 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 35; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 23; Structure:Body:Door: 12; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 7; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 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 | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 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: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 142 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 104 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 104; 1996: 21; 2000: 5; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 28 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 480222 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481003 · 1995-02-07 (February 7, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED 5 TIMES DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487724 · 1995-11-01 (November 1, 1995)
ENGINE STALLS WHEN A/C IS IN FULL USE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490573 · 1995-12-11 (December 11, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489196 · 1995-04-11 (April 11, 1995)
BRAKE PADS REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF PERFORMANCE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958565 · 1995-01-11 (January 11, 1995)
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST. RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963311 · 1995-04-06 (April 6, 1995)
REAR HATCH/LIFTGATE OPENS WHILE DRIVING, REPEATED CLOSINGS TO CLOSE LIFTGATE. SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING SIDE PANEL DOOR NOT PROPERLY OPEN OR LOCK. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963110 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
DRIVING ALONG AND STEERING COLUMN FELL IN HER LAP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963110 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963309 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
UPON IMPACT, DURING A FRONTAL CRASH, AT APPROX. 15MPH, THE METAL BOLT WHICH ANCHORS SEAT BELT TO FLOOR BROKE AND DETACHED, ALLOWED DRIVER TO HIT STEERING COLUMN
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004921 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 141,083 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801734 · 1996-09-03 (September 3, 1996)
PURCHASED TRUCK USED, THE FUEL PUMP HAS BURNED OUT , PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801734 at NHTSA ↗