1990 Dodge Caravan: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 278 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 278 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 the manufacturer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 90v145000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve), but was denied reimbursement for being verbally abusive to the representative. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 141,000 and current mileage was 165,124.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 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 on the front passenger side makes a cackling noise. Otherwise you have to hold the highbeam switch to have headlights on.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“The consumer believes the vehicle's seat belts were not properly designed for a person 5'4". The dealer was notified. *nlm”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fuel rail leaking while driving, vehicle taken to a repair shop. Dealer and manufacturer notified and informed vehicle was not cover under that recall. Provide further information. Ts”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2002
“The metal tire belts came thru the sidewalls, letting the air out. Took back to goodyear dealer and they said that it was underinflated. Not so! Had 3 tires all fail like this. Dealer said they would sell me the replacement tire, but they don't make this tire anymore. Wonder why? One tire even lost a section of the tread, ala firestone tires.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
“Vehicle was in the parking lot and consumer inserted key inside of vehicle, and key started vehicle first time. Next time ignition switch had play. She contacted dealership because key couldn't come out of ignition switch.*aki”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2000
“Fuel was leaking from the fuel rail. Dealer determined that the o-rings failed at the fuel rail connections allowing fuel to leak onto the engine. This could have resulted in a fire. This problem was found on other chrysler vehicles. Reference NHTSA campaign id number 98v184000.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2000
“Consumer had used jack that came equipped with vehicle several times, and it failed and collapsed while consumer was using it. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 2000
“The firestone tire problem seems to be happening to my tires. Had one tire loose tread last year and now another tire is starting to do the same thing. The steel wire of the belt is coming thru the side wall.*ak (tiresize: 195/75/14)( dot number: tire size: 195/75/14 )”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2000
“My 3.0 l 4-speed automatic 1990 dodge caravan recently began having trouble shifting into overdrive. It shifts into 1st, 2nd, then 3rd, but as it trys to shift into overdrive it bucks three times than abruptly shifts into second gear surging the passangers forward. I must then shut off the van and restart it for it to be drivable. I normally don't take this type of action but through my research have found numerous other similar complaints on this vehicle's transmission. When I found an article in consumer reports (october 1999) where this same thing happened to another individual I decided to take action.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING OCTOBER 1995.
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.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN JUNE 1996.
THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
INCORRECT SCREWS MAY HAVE BEEN USED IN INSTALLING THE LOAD SENSING BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO ITS BRACKET CAUSING THE CLAMPING LOAD TO BE LESS THAN INTENDED.
Remedy: REPLACE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO BRACKET SCREWS WITH PROPER LENGTH SCREWS.
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.
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.
INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Caravan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Dodge Caravan reliable?
NHTSA has 278 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Dodge Caravan. The most complained-about area is power train (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Dodge Caravan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 140,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.