1989 Dodge Caravan

● Typical for this model
1989 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:04:53.769Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 69 complaints 1988: 103 complaints 1989: 191 complaints 1989 1990: 278 complaints 1991: 617 complaints 1992: 913 complaints 1993: 949 complaints 1994: 644 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1989: 191 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198769
1988103
1989191
1990278
1991617
1992913
1993949
1994644
1995489
19961403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200464
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 23%

23% of complaints: power train — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY AFTER A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED, INITIALLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE BREAKAGE OF TWO AXLES, MAIN AXLE, VAC PINION AND BOTH FRONT BEARINGS (R4761821-AA TRANSMISSION-41T 2100 2001). NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020925

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 13%

13% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19950307

REAR LATCH GATE CAME OPEN. OWNER DOES NOT HAVE VEHICLE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950303

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SLIDING DOOR WILL SLIP IF AJAR. OWNER IDENTIFIES SEVERAL INJURIES TO FINGERS AND OTHER PARTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950404

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

MOTOR MOUNTS SHATTERED. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020925

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19890109 — PE (closed 19890131)

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING

I 19890926 — PE (closed 19900223)

UNDERDASH FIRES

R 19900221 — engine and engine cooling

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Campaign 89V237000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900223 — EA (closed 19910228)

UNDERDASH FIRES

I 19900507 — PE (closed 19901002)

REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS

I 19901210 — EA (closed 19911231)

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

I 19910104 — PE (closed 19910501)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

I 19910319 — PE (closed 19910731)

REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES

R 19910529 — seat belts

INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.

Campaign 91V053000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920310 — PE (closed 19920603)

R/HTCHBCK HYDR.CYLIN.FAILS

I 19940131 — EA (closed 19951025)

LIFTGATE LATCHES

R 19951103 — latches/locks/linkages

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. CHRYSL

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

Campaign 95I001004 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960712 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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.

Campaign 95I001008 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980311 — DP (closed 19980410)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V237000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V053000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001004 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001008 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1993 ■ 1992

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Dodge Caravan is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Dodge Caravan?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.