Total Complaints
236 filings
DODGE CARAVAN · model year
1989 DODGE CARAVAN
236 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989DODGECARAVAN carries 236 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 13 fires, 20 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 CARAVAN is power train:automatic transmission with 44 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock (25) and structure:body:door (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1989 CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
236
Complaints
13
Crashes
13
Fires
20
Injuries
2
Deaths
Crashes Reported
13 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 44 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 25 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 15 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 10 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 5 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 4 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 4 |
Recent Complaints
20070404LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
Mileage: 230,000
20041206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
20030818ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
20030129FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR LEAK SPRAYS HIGH PRESSURE GASOLINE ON TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE LEAK FROM INJECTOR ONTO HOT COMPONENTS OF ENGINE. LEAKAGE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY WITH DECREASE IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. INJECTOR: BENDIX DEKA 4418213
Mileage: 141,083
20020925POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
20020925ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS SHATTERED. NLM
20020813VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
20020813ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, OIL SEAL, CRANKSHAFT AND VALVE GASKET WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE WAS HIGH DUE TO RADIATOR HOSE FAILURE. *YH
20020813TIRES
TWO FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED. *YH
20020813SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. *YH
20020813ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH
20020702EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WIRE STRAND THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE ONTO VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, IT SNAPPED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF.*AK JLG
20020620FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20020329STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
VIBRATION CAUSING BODY OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO CRACK . BOLTS THAT HOLD LOCKING MECHANISM HAD EXPANDED, AND THEY FELL INSIDE OF DOOR. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *AK
20020326FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WE WERE DRIVING ON RT 1 IN SMRNA DELAWARE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE VAN GOT OUT AND SAW FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 3/17/2002 AT 8/30 PM WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
20020326FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WE WERE DRIVING ON RT 1 IN SMRNA DELAWARE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE VAN GOT OUT AND SAW FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 3/17/2002 AT 8/30 PM WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
20010627CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD PASSENGER WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SPRING INSIDE OF THE MECHANISM BROKE, THIS SPRING STOPPED SEATBELT FROM COMING OUT OF SEATBELT RETRACTOR IN COLLISION. PASSENGER WAS THROWN AGAINST WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED NECK AND HEAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
20010423STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
WHILE BACK DOOR IS OPENED COULD BE PLACING ANYTHING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL BE DROPING DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. DEALER HAD TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT STILL PROBLEM CONTINUED JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN RECALL 95 I 001 008. *AK
20010330EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NEARLY BRIGHT ENOUGH AND ARE AN UNSAFELY DESIGNED. *AK
20010307STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TRUNK DOOR, WHEN OPENING WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION, WILL SLAM SHUT. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN DRIVE, IT WILL NOT TAKE OFF. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE IT IN D1 CONSTANTLY, WHEN SHE DRIVES IT IN D2 VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK *SLC
Compare 1989DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN have?▼
The 1989 DODGE CARAVAN has 236 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 13 fires, 20 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 44 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK and STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR.
Is the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.