VehicleVerdict

1989 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Dodge Caravan sits mid-pack among Caravan years: 236 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 231, with 5 recalls and 10 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 20 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (50), body & structure (43), and engine (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

236

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

10

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

20

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted2,178 complaints1984: 26 complaints1985: 85 complaints1986: 55 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 135 complaints1989: 236 complaints1990: 341 complaints1991: 773 complaints1992: 1,126 complaints1993: 1,229 complaints1994: 836 complaints1995: 656 complaints1996: 2,178 complaints1997: 1,028 complaints1998: 840 complaints1999: 745 complaints2000: 613 complaints2001: 341 complaints2002: 326 complaints2003: 252 complaints2004: 83 complaints2005: 691 complaints2006: 231 complaints2007: 115 complaints2008: 421 complaints2009: 175 complaints2010: 257 complaints2011: 112 complaints2012: 116 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 4 complaints
Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission5021%
Body & Structure4318%
Engine3414%
Latches & Locks2912%
Seat Belts167%
Electrical System167%
Brakes146%
Other73%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Lighting31%
Suspension31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Fuel System31%
Speed Control21%
Steering21%
Seats21%

Does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

95I001004Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 411,678 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

95I001008Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,262,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

91V053000Seat BeltsApril 10, 1991 · 640,000 units

Defect

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.

89V237000EngineDecember 27, 1989 · 634,000 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVER CANNOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, AND SOMETIMES TRUCK WILL GET STUCK IN GEAR. OTHER TIMES DRIVER CANNOT SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR, AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE DRIVER STEPS ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK WILL GO FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. THERE WAS AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 12, 1997

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 20, 2001

“WE WERE DRIVING ON RT 1 IN SMRNA DELAWARE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE VAN GOT OUT AND SAW FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 3/17/2002 AT 8/30 PM WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 17, 2002 · fire

“EA94-005 ACTIVE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO IMPACT AT 6:00 POSITION, VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, REAR LIFTGATE LATCH CAME OPEN. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · August 1, 1993 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 23, 2001 · crash

1989 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1989 Dodge Caravan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Caravan: 236 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 10 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1989 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (50 complaints), body & structure (43 complaints), engine (34 complaints).

Does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 10 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008. The cleanest record among Caravan years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.