MYRModel Year Report

1989 Dodge Caravan

● Typical for this model
1989 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:01.978Z

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
194
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1989 194 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 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
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1989 194 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2005: 537 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2011 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1989 194 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1992 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1998 1999: 555 complaints 2000: 470 complaints 2000 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2012 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2016 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020

1989: 194 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198772
1988107
1989194
1990283
1991623
1992923
1993955
1994661
1995489
19961,403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200465
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

26% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Motor mounts shattered. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-25

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Structure

22% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing door and hatchback/liftgate.

CRASHINJURY
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, 1995-04-04

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle caught on fire in engine area while parked.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-01

Engine fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-25

Latches/locks/linkages

14% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing lock and latch.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 1995-03-07

Rear latch gate came open. Owner does not have vehicle. Please explain. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-03

Seat belts

8% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1989-01-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-01-31 Transmission downshifting
  2. I
    1989-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-23 Underdash fires
  3. R
    1990-02-21Engine and engine cooling89V237000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1990-02-23Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Underdash fires
  5. I
    1990-05-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-02 Rear seat structure fails
  6. I
    1990-12-10Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Trans park system failure
  7. I
    1991-01-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-01 Seat belt buckle failure
  8. I
    1991-03-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-07-31 Rear wiper switch/fires
  9. R
    1991-05-29Seat belts91V053000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1992-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-03 R/htchbck hydr.cylin.fails
  11. I
    1994-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1995-10-25 Liftgate latches
  12. R
    1995-11-03Latches/locks/linkages95I001004 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.…

    Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during November 1995.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    1996-07-12Latches/locks/linkages95I001008 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    1998-03-11Defect petitionClosed 1998-04-10 Automatic transmission failure
  15. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V237000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 91V053000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95I001004 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 95I001008 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.