1989 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10034067 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103209 · 2004-12-06 (December 6, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187003 · 2007-04-04 (April 4, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 230,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479630 · 1995-05-23 (May 23, 1995)
FIXTURE AT END OF SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE OFF, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL OFF ONTO HIGHWAY. (2ND VEHICLE ON 486458) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480222 · 1995-01-27 (January 27, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480770 · 1995-01-23 (January 23, 1995)
NOISY VEHICLE DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480770 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V237000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1989-12-27 (December 27, 1989)
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V053000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1991-04-10 (April 10, 1991)
INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.
Consequence: FATIGUE FAILURE OF SAFETY BELTS IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT CONDITION RESULTS IN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗