The 1989 Dodge Caravan has 34 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
34
Engine complaints
14%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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”
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the 1989 Dodge Caravan engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 89V237000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.