1990 Dodge CARAVAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
215 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
140,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 215 complaints (20.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 17.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 1.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 44 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 39 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 17 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 11 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 44; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 39; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 17; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 11; Structure:Body:Door: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 211 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 | 148 |
| 1996 | 33 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 148; 1996: 33; 2000: 16; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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 10005828 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AT 48,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, GLENN E. THOMAS DODGE IN SIGNAL HILL. THEREAFTER, EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, PROBABLY 5 TIMES NOW; THE COMPUTER FOR THE TRANS HAS FAILED TWICE, THE MOTOR COMPUTER FAILED 2 TIMES, THE POWER WINDOWS BROKE OFF THEIR TRACKS, THE SLIDING DOOR JAMMED SHUT AND WOULDN'T ALIGN. NOW THE PAINT JOB ON MY WHITE 1990 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN (WITH WOOD TRIM) IS PEELING OFF, MOSTLY ON THE ROOF (WHERE IT IS AL…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10183038 · 2007-02-20 (February 20, 2007)
I STARTED NOTICING A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE 1 WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE. IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS COLD AND ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. I THOUGHT IT COULD BE A BAD U-JOINT. ON THE MORNING OF 2-16-07 8:15 AM I WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. IT CHEWED UP ONE OF THE BEARINGS (WHICH A MECHANIC LATER TOLD ME WAS NOTORIOUS FOR GOING OUT) AND DROPPED THEM ALL OVER THE ROAD. I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH NO WAY TO GO ANYWHERE, BLOCKING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS AL…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257567 · 2009-02-05 (February 5, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO STOP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PUMP AT THE COST OF OVER $400. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 90V145000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE), BUT WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR BEING VERBALLY ABUSIVE TO THE REPRESENTATIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500922 · 1996-01-30 (January 30, 1996)
POWER STEERING BELT TENSIONER FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717194 · 2000-01-11 (January 11, 2000)
SEE YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN 094 FOR 1990 DODGE CARAVAN CV W/ 3.3 OVERHEATING. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE A STEEP GRADE TWICE! YOU LOSE ENGINE, BRAKES, AND STEERING AS A RESULT. SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED; RADIATORS NOT SUFFICIENT IN THESE MINIVANS AND AS MINIVAN FLEETS AGE THE PROBLEM CAN ONLY GET WORSE... WE DON'T OWN IT ANYMORE; IT'S UNSAFE! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478337 · 1995-01-02 (January 2, 1995)
ENGINE STALLS WHEN DEFROSTER IS ON . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480033 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO SURGES AT TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962325 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE PANEL, PULLED TO SIDE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE DEPT SUSPECT ELECTRICAL FIRE IN REAR HEATER CONTROL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963490 · 1995-04-10 (April 10, 1995)
THE MAJOR WIRING HARNESS THAT OPERATES THE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS ARE BREAKING IN HALF, ONE AT A TIME. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504698 · 1996-05-24 (May 24, 1996)
FUEL PUMP IN GAS TANK FAILED. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504698 at NHTSA ↗