Complaints
236
Crashes
13
Fires
13
Injuries
20
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#144 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Crash-related:1
#225 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
Crash-related:3
#315 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 44 | 1 | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 25 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 11 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 | — | 6 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
44
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
25
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1989 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Dodge Caravan has 236 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 44 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (44 complaints); Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock (25 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (15 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Dodge Caravan include 13 crash-related reports, 13 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Dodge Caravan?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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