1990 Dodge Caravan problems
Owners have filed 341 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 23.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of structure at 17.3%.
Complaints341
Crashes16
Fires8
Injuries13
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Power train 23.2% · 79
Structure 17.3% · 59
Latches/locks/linkages 14.4% · 49
Engine and engine cooling 8.2% · 28
Seat belts 7.0% · 24
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.0% · 17
Electrical system 4.4% · 15
Suspension 3.5% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 8 describe a fire, 13 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Dodge Caravan in this data, 1990 sits 13th by complaint volume. 1996 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 20 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 140,000 miles.
In owners' own words
This seems to be a real problem and something needs to be done . I feel that Dodge should be held responsible for these transmissions considering that they know the are bad . People shouldnot have to go to court for Dodge to pay up.There should be a national recall as there are several reports on file .The transmissions lock-up without warning and can be a major cause of an accident. Then what will be done? Power train
Consumer experienced four transmission replacments, and had two of them rebuilt. However, is still experiencing problem with vehicle slipping/jerking into gear, and transmission stalling when taking off from a stop position. Power train
When making a right or left hand turns the vehicle sputters then lurches forward. Taken to the dealer, and it was the transmission. This is the 2nd transmission put into the vehicle and the problem is still occurring. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Dodge Caravan years
1991 773 complaints · 30.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1992 1,126 complaints · 25.4% service brakes, hydraulic 1993 1,229 complaints · 28.8% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 836 complaints · 14.1% power train 1995 656 complaints · 15.2% power train 1996 2,178 complaints · 11.9% engine and engine cooling