- 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
1990 Dodge Caravan Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 283 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (99) and the transmission & drivetrain (71). Those complaints describe 12 crashes, 7 fires, 10 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in April 2008 for the suspension. For comparison, the 1989 has 194 and the 1991 has 623.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Caravan year, for its age
#1 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 283
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 12
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 10
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1990 Dodge Caravan problems
Share of all 283 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Dodge Caravan recalls 6
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 in june 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 stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during october 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
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in inconsistent front to rear brakebalance with potential for rear brake skid under heavy braking conditions.
- The fix
- Replace proportioning valve to bracket screws with proper length screws.
- 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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283 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 12.
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.
I started noticing a slight grinding noise 1 week before the failure. It only happened when it was cold and only when turning left. I thought it could be a bad u-joint. On the morning of 2-16-07 8:15 am I was turning left at an intersection when the transmission gave out. It chewed up one of the bearings (which a mechanic later told me was notorious for going out) and dropped them all over the road. I was caught in the middle of the intersection with no way to go anywhere, blocking traffic. This could have resulted...
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in a major accident. I was also unable to leave the vehicle on the side of the road which had an incline to it. The transmission was no longer attached to the drivetrain and putting the transmission in park had no effect. I had to push the vehicle into someone's driveway and leave it there with a rock in front of the wheel. I did have the emergency brake on but I was not going to totally trust it to keep the van stationary. This is the second transmission that has been put into the van. It is a 1990 with only 87000 original miles. I am the second owner and only put 2000-3000 miles a year on this van. The second transmission has less than 25000 miles on it. *Nm
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
Consumer states that when starting the vehicle it would smell like gas.*Ak
The consumer believes the vehicle's seat belts were not properly designed for a person 5'4". The dealer was notified. *Nlm
I own a 1990 dodge grand caravan with the motor. One morning on my way to work the accelerator stuck open. I pulled over to investigate and removed the air cleaner cover and map sensor to see what why the throttle was stuck open. I found a square piece of plastic that looks like a little table with a hole in the top. I wanted to find out how it got there so I took the air cleaner out and found that it is supposed to hold the crankcase ventilation filter in the bottom of the canister. The bad thing about this is...
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that I was on icy roads and the only way I could control the vehicle was to shut the engine off and coast into a driveway. I also remembered this happening to the 1991 plymouth grand voyager that I used to own. These vehicles were purchased used and therefore, I suspect that at one time someone has ran these without a filter in place. The big question is, of all these vans on the road, how many have been run without a filter. I had owned each of these at least six months before this happened. I feel that anything in the airflow path on a vehicle should be secured so there is no way it can be drawn into the engine. *Nlm
I am the original owner of the vehicle. At 48,000 miles the transmission failed. It was replaced by the dealer, glenn e. Thomas dodge in signal hill. Thereafter, every 15,000 to 25,000 miles or so, the transmission has failed, probably 5 times now; the computer for the trans has failed twice, the motor computer failed 2 times, the power windows broke off their tracks, the sliding door jammed shut and wouldn't align. Now the paint job on my white 1990 dodge grand caravan (with wood trim) is peeling off,...
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mostly on the roof (where it is almost completely gone, down to the primer, rusting through to the roof metal) and on the hood and front quarter panels. The paint was not properly applied to the primer undercoat or the primer was not properly applied so as to adhere to the top color coat. I have seen many other caravan's of the same model with their paint completely or partially peeled off as I have driven around. It is a very obvious defect of the paint--there are no other vehicles out there with this kind of paint flaking and peeling problem to this extent. The plastic coating on the wood trim is all flaking and peeling off as well. It makes the car look "shaggy!" What a mess. This car really needs a paint job to be paid for by the manufacturer. I have paid out thousands of dollars for transmissions to be replaced. I am on a three-year warranty with dodge for the transmission and on my third transmission failure under that warranty! The overdrive unit is fully defective and the company will not undertake to fix it. The car will fail and the trans will just spin without engaging any forward gear or it will not shift into third or overdrive. The speed sensor unit is also defective and frequently needs to be replaced. What a mess of a transmission! I have it regularly serviced and I don't drive it hard or abuse the trans. Help.
PAINT ON 1990 DODGE CARAVAN IS PEELING OFF.
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
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH
Fuel rail is leaking oil onto motor, and could cause and fire. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. *Ak
While driving 70 mph vehicle shifted into another gear/ started jerking, and locked in park. Please add vin. *Ak
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
Front end locked up after snap ring broke while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer. *Ak
Front end locked up after snap ring in vhicle broke. Contaccted dealer. *Ak
I know of 3 other family's that have the same yr., Make & model of van with the same transmission problem. *Ak
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?*Ak
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
Steering lock up and pulled all the to left and couldn't turn it at all. *Ak
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
Consumer had used jack that came equipped with vehicle several times, and it failed and collapsed while consumer was using it. *Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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 )
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.
A metal fuel line located near exhaust syetem could lead to a possible fire. Dealer notifed. Please provide any further details. *Ak
Dodge Caravan: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 667 | 5 | F |
| 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 |
1990 Dodge Caravan vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Dodge Caravan | 283 | 6 | C | |
| 1990 Dodge Dakota | 66 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan | 55 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Dynasty | 54 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Daytona | 27 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Colt | 13 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge D250 | 9 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge D150 | 6 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge B250 | 5 | 0 | C | 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 1990 Dodge Caravan
Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1990 Dodge Caravan: suspension (April 2008); lock (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 1990 Dodge Caravan?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (99), transmission & drivetrain (71), seats & seat belts (27).
How many complaints has the 1990 Dodge Caravan had?
283 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 11, 1994 and the latest on February 5, 2009. Of these, 12 describe a crash and 7 a fire, and together they report 10 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 1990 Dodge Caravan a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 40 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 1990 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