1989 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Dodge Caravan. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
12 complaints report injuries (19 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 48 | 25% |
| Structure → | 41 | 21% |
| Latches/locks/linkages → | 28 | 15% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 26 | 14% |
| Electrical System → | 15 | 8% |
| Seat Belts → | 15 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 | 5% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“There has developed an unusual and unsafe condition in the front passenger door lock mechanism that on a regular basis causes the door to lock by itself whereby it is unable to be unlocked by any means from inside the vehicle. The only way to unlock the door when this happens, is from the outside by use of the key. *ak”
Latches/locks/linkages · filed Apr 4, 2007
“Consumer received nhtsa recall 89v237000. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, as well as made several appointments to get his car serviced. However, to this day his car has still not been serviced.*ak”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Dec 6, 2004
“While driving at 30 mph and with no warning check engine light came on, then the vehicle shut off. Consumer has made contact with dealer. *ak *nlm”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Aug 18, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Defect Petition DP98003 · opened Mar 11, 1998 · closed Apr 10, 1998
- LIFTGATE LATCHES
Engineering Analysis EA94005 · opened Jan 31, 1994 · closed Oct 25, 1995
- R/HTCHBCK HYDR.CYLIN.FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE92027 · opened Mar 10, 1992 · closed Jun 3, 1992
- REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91062 · opened Mar 19, 1991 · closed Jul 31, 1991
- SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE91026 · opened Jan 4, 1991 · closed May 1, 1991 · led to recall 91V053000
- TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91010 · opened Dec 10, 1990 · closed Dec 31, 1991
- REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE90079 · opened May 7, 1990 · closed Oct 2, 1990
- UNDERDASH FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA90011 · opened Feb 23, 1990 · closed Feb 28, 1991
Technical service bulletins
24 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Dodge Caravan. The 10 most recent:
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that…
23-014-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2015
Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb
0800600REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 29, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
2300800B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 24, 2000
Subject regarding child seat tether anchors. *tt
230800 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 2000
This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt
080600 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 25, 2000
Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *mjs
233599REVA · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 1999
Information on child seat tether anchors. *tt
233599 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket. *tt
210599A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 3, 1999
Conditions with intermittent loss of speed control. *tt
210699 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 2, 1999
Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket. *tt
210599 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 5, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1989 Dodge Caravan in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Dodge Caravan?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.