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1989 Dodge CaravanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 191 owner complaints about the 1989 Dodge Caravan, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year14% below the Caravan median · #16 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints19135 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem48Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 4, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Dodge Caravan has problems

191 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train481
Structure413
Latches/locks/linkages283
Engine and engine cooling264
Electrical system158
Seat belts153
Service brakes, hydraulic92
Equipment70
Visibility60
11 other systems205

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1989 Dodge Caravan recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 91V-053 · Apr 10, 1991 · 640,000 vehicles

Risk. FATIGUE FAILURE OF SAFETY BELTS IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT CONDITION RESULTS IN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Caravan year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Caravan median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Dodge Caravan, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILUREDP98003 · closed Apr 10, 1998
    No recall
  2. UNDERDASH FIRESEA90011 · closed Feb 28, 1991
    No recall
  3. TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILUREEA91010 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  4. LIFTGATE LATCHESEA94005 · closed Oct 25, 1995
    No recall
  5. TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTINGPE89036 · closed Jan 31, 1989
    No recall
  6. UNDERDASH FIRESPE89170 · closed Feb 23, 1990
    No recall
  7. REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILSPE90079 · closed Oct 2, 1990
    No recall
  8. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE91026 · closed May 1, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-053
  9. REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRESPE91062 · closed Jul 31, 1991
    No recall
  10. R/HTCHBCK HYDR.CYLIN.FAILSPE92027 · closed Jun 3, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Caravan owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE TRANMISSION, VEHICLE WILL EITHER NOT ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. *AK
Complaint 980784 · Mar 15, 1996
AT 60,000 MILE DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION ONLY PUT 12,000 MILE CAR STILL DOING THE SAME PROBLEM CAR SHIFT AT WRONG TIME LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR. TT
Complaint 970447 · Aug 15, 1995
FOUR SPEED OVERDRIVE JUMPS GEARS/DOWNSHIFTS 2 GEARS OR GOES BACK AND FORTH FROM 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR GEAR. *AK
Complaint 965329 · May 15, 1995

Own a 1989 Caravan?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.