VehicleVerdict

1990 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1990 Dodge Caravan sits mid-pack among Caravan years: 341 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 230, with 6 recalls and 6 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (79), body & structure (59), and latches & locks (49), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

341

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

6

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 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, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission7923%
Body & Structure5917%
Latches & Locks4914%
Engine288%
Seat Belts247%
Brakes175%
Electrical System154%
Suspension124%
Fuel System113%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Steering93%
Other82%
Lighting62%
Seats62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Speed Control21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

6 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.

95I001003Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 72,845 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 STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING OCTOBER 1995.

95I001007Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 360,000 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 IN JUNE 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.

90V145000BrakesAugust 10, 1990 · 100 units

Defect

INCORRECT SCREWS MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN INSTALLING THE LOAD SENSING BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO ITS BRACKET CAUSING THE CLAMPING LOAD TO BE LESS THAN INTENDED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN INCONSISTENT FRONT TO REAR BRAKEBALANCE WITH POTENTIAL FOR REAR BRAKE SKID UNDER HEAVY BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Remedy

REPLACE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO BRACKET SCREWS WITH PROPER LENGTH SCREWS.

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.

“THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE . I FEEL THAT DODGE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS CONSIDERING THAT THEY KNOW THE ARE BAD . PEOPLE SHOULDNOT HAVE TO GO TO COURT FOR DODGE TO PAY UP.THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE STRUT TO THE BODY OF THE LIFTGATE PUSHED INTO THE BODY OF THE VAN, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO DROP DOWN ONTO VICTIM'S HEAD. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 1, 2000

“CONSUMER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE REAR HATCH LATCH CAME OPEN SHE TURN HER HEAD BECAUSE KIDS WAS IN VAN AND HIT A TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · September 6, 1994 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 9, 1999

“CONSUMER WAS IN A REAR AND FRONT END ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S RESTRAINT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN PROPERLY, CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 23, 1998 · crash

1990 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1990 Dodge Caravan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Caravan: 341 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 6 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (79 complaints), body & structure (59 complaints), latches & locks (49 complaints).

Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 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.