- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1989 Dodge Caravan Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 194 complaints about the 1989 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (66) and the transmission & drivetrain (46). Those complaints describe 12 crashes, 13 fires, 19 injuries and 2 deaths. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in April 2008 for the suspension. For comparison, the 1988 has 107 and the 1990 has 283.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Caravan year, for its age
#3 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 194
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 12
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 19
- Deaths
- 2
Most common 1989 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of all 194 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Dodge Caravan recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the liftgate latch opens, occupants can be ejected resulting in significantly increased risk of injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the liftgate latch opens, occupants can be ejected resulting in significantly increased risk of injury or death.
- The fix
- Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during november 1995.
- The problem
- Inboard front seat belt buckle assembly straps can suffer fatigue failure of the strap near its anchor position.
- The risk
- Fatigue failure of safety belts in a sudden stop oraccident condition results in increased likelihood of injury to seat occupant.
- The fix
- Replace fatigued straps or retrofit straps with a reinforcement plate and removal of an antirotation tab to prevent fatigue failure.
- The problem
- The engine valve cover gasket may dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
- The risk
- The leakage of oil in the engine compartment could causea fire.
- The fix
- Replace gasket cover with revised cover, and rtv sealant will be applied in place of a gasket.
What owners say
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194 complaints about the 1989 Dodge Caravan
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 8.
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
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
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
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
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
WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB
Wire strand that holds spare tire onto vehicle is defective, it snapped, causing spare tire to fall off.*Ak jlg
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
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
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
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
Headlights are not nearly bright enough and are an unsafely designed. *Ak
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
The right lift on the tailgate is tearing the body material and leaving jagged metal exposed. I have talked to the manufacturer and they say they have no liability in this matter and that it has not been reported before.*Ak
This is not a safety hazard but, did not know where to write. It is the paint & the air conditioner. It has been told to me that in 89 vehicles did not receive primer and therefore caused paint to chip. I went to the dealer and was told they were not aware of this but to passify me they would allow 200 to spot paint my van and I would pay 200 at maaco. Not there dealership shop but maaco and to only allow spot painting. I had already paid to have the hood and front fenders painted because it was so bad and the...
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roof is now horrible! I am the original owner and feel it is only right they paint the van and get it over with! I have complained for the past five or more years about the van stalling out if I use my air conditioner but none of the dodge dealers can or will find any problem so I suffer in the heat. If I use the a/c and when I reach my destination and shut it off even if I let it sit overnight the van will stall out.Please forward to proper people and let me know if anything will be done about these two problems. I am not trying to make money only want comfort . I plan on buying another dodge probably in the next two to three years as other than the afore mentioned irratations I have enjoyed my van and gotten a lot of use out of it and want to keep it!*Ak
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highyway and heard a big booming sound. She pulled over onto the shoulder, and noticed oil leaking from underneath vehicle. *Ak
When traveling vehicle stalled/cut off and caught on fire in the engine compartment. The cause of the problem has yet to be determined. Vehicle was totaled. Please provide any further details.
MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE. YH
While parked vehicle caught fire because the newly installed fuel pressure regulator was deffective. *Ak
While driving spare tire fell off on the road. The cable, that supports the spare tire underneath vehicle,had broken. Vehicle behind hit tire. Contacted manufacturer & informed nothing will be done due to age of vehicle. *Ak
Valve cover gasket just started leaking 1 week after we purchased the van. 2. Transmission went out on sept. 24, 1999 2Nd time in less than a year. The whole thing needs replacing once again.
There is a technical service bulletin out on this issue(#18-31-90, nhtsa item # sb022436). It reads as follows: start-stall and/or decel dieout during low speed maneuvers-repair involves replacement of origingal engine controller(smec) with revised unit-all 1989/90 dodge caravans. Our van did this on several occasions before it finnally died on the highway. It was a lucky thing that we were only going about 30 mph at the time and had a place to pull over. When we took it in for a diagnostic they told us the...
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engine controller had failed and it would be $400 to replace it, money we didn't have. So our van just sits there waiting to be fixed and we don't have a car except for a 3-person truck(there are 5 in our family).
The exterior paint on the roof and along the gutters is peeling and flaking off. The undercoat has turned into a fine powdery substance that streaks down the vehicle after is been washed or during a rainfall. The paint around the aft windows is also flaking off. The paint seems to be lifting off from under the paint surface.
This problem seems very dangerous, I would not want to be driving a behind anyone and finding their spare tire gave away. This incident was the result of a frayed cable not a loose connection. I got another spare at the junk yard and verified other accounts of frayed cable assemblies. I do not know if this could be more popular?
Dodge Caravan: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 962 | 10 | F |
| 1992 | 929 | 11 | F |
| 1991 | 623 | 11 | F |
| 1990 | 283 | 6 | C |
| 1989 | 194 | 5 | C |
| 1988 | 107 | 5 | B |
| 1987 | 72 | 3 | B |
| 1986 | 49 | 4 | A |
| 1985 | 49 | 6 | A |
1989 Dodge Caravan vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Dodge Caravan | 194 | 5 | C | |
| 1989 Dodge Dakota | 64 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge Daytona | 35 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge Colt | 33 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge Aries | 10 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge D250 | 9 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge B250 | 4 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge D Series(light) | 4 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Dodge B350 | 3 | 0 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1989 Dodge Caravan
Does the 1989 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1989 Dodge Caravan: suspension (April 2008); latch (March 1995); lock (March 1995); buckle assembly (April 1991) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Dodge Caravan?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (66), transmission & drivetrain (46), engine & cooling (24).
How many complaints has the 1989 Dodge Caravan had?
194 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 6, 1994 and the latest on April 4, 2007. Of these, 12 describe a crash and 13 a fire, and together they report 19 injuries and 2 deaths.
Is the 1989 Dodge Caravan a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 46 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Dodge Caravan year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Dodge Caravan years have the most complaints?
1996 (1,402), 1993 (962), 1992 (929). See every Dodge Caravan year compared.
What should I do if my 1989 Dodge Caravan has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data