1989 DODGE CARAVAN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

236

Owner Complaints

13 Crashes 13 Fires 2 Deaths

5

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

1

Investigation

Overview of the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

The 1989 DODGE CARAVAN has received a total of 236 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (44 complaints), Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock (25 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (15 complaints).

Recalls for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN, potentially affecting up to 2,954,581 vehicles.

Recall 08E033000 — SUSPENSION

| 6,903 vehicles affected

Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

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Recall 95I001008 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

| 1,262,000 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

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Recall 95I001004 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

| 411,678 vehicles affected

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

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Recall 91V053000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

| 640,000 vehicles affected

Defect: INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.

Consequence: FATIGUE FAILURE OF SAFETY BELTS IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT CONDITION RESULTS IN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.

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Recall 89V237000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

| 634,000 vehicles affected

Defect: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

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Owner Complaints for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

236 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 44 1 Crash
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
Complaints: 25 3 Crashes 2 Injuries 1 Death
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 15
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 15 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 11 1 Crash 3 Fires
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
Complaints: 10 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
Complaints: 8
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 6 6 Fires
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 6 2 Crashes 9 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 5
Equipmentmechanicalcarrierrack
Complaints: 4
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 4
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 3
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 3
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2
Power Train
Complaints: 2
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2
Seat Belts
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 2
Structurebodytailgate
Complaints: 2
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
Complaints: 1
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Otherfuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Seats
Complaints: 1 1 Injury 1 Death
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicbrake Fluid Low Warning Lamp
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 1
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10187003 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | | 230,000 miles
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
#10103209 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | N/A miles
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
#10034067 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | | N/A miles
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
#10004921 | FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | | 141,083 miles
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
#567335 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | | N/A miles
MOTOR MOUNTS SHATTERED. NLM

View all Power Trainautomatic Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

230800 — SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1989 DODGE CARAVAN.

Investigation DP98003 — POWER TRAIN Closed

Opened:

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE

Other Model Years of the DODGE CARAVAN

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Other DODGE Models

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