1990 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
278 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 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.
9 complaints report injuries (10 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 75 | 27% |
| Structure | 57 | 21% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 48 | 17% |
| Seat Belts | 23 | 8% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 14 | 5% |
| Suspension | 12 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 | 4% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
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
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 dodge caravan. The contact stated that the vehicle would fail to stop intermittently when the brake pedal was depressed. In addition, the brake warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel during the failures. The dealer replaced the brake pump at the cost of over $400. She called…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Feb 5, 2009
“I started noticing a slight grinding noise 1 week before the failure. It only happened when it was cold and only when turning left. I thought it could be a bad u-joint. On the morning of 2-16-07 8:15 am I was turning left at an intersection when the transmission gave out. It chewed up one of the bearings (which a…”
Power Train · filed Feb 20, 2007
“Driving in a heavy rain storm pulled over and stopped saw what looked like steam coming from the motor. It was daylight out did not notice that headlights didn't work just the running lights till a few hours later. After having heater on headlights will come on but smell what seems like wires burning and the speaker…”
Exterior Lighting · filed Aug 13, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- REAR SEAT ANCHORAGES
Preliminary Evaluation PE95014 · opened Feb 23, 1995 · closed Jul 7, 1995
- 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
Technical service bulletins
29 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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.