CarModelProblems.com

1990 Dodge Caravan Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
278Complaints
6Recalls
12Crashes
7Fires
10Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (23.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission65 · 23.4%not available
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock40 · 14.4%RecalledRecall 95I001007 · Recall 95I001003
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate17 · 6.1%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine16 · 5.8%RecalledRecall 89V237000
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut14 · 5%not available
Structure:body:door10 · 3.6%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE17 · 6.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE16 · 5.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT14 · 5%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR10 · 3.6%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR8 · 2.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS7 · 2.5%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH6 · 2.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 278 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Suspension

NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 91V053000 · 1991 · reported 04/10/1991

FATIGUE FAILURE OF SAFETY BELTS IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT CONDITION RESULTS IN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve

NHTSA campaign 90V145000 · 1990 · reported 08/10/1990

THIS COULD RESULT IN INCONSISTENT FRONT TO REAR BRAKEBALANCE WITH POTENTIAL FOR REAR BRAKE SKID UNDER HEAVY BRAKING CONDITIONS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

NHTSA campaign 95I001007 · 1995 · reported 03/27/1995

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 89V237000 · 1989 · reported 12/27/1989

THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

NHTSA campaign 95I001003 · 1995 · reported 03/27/1995

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE DRIVING,THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AT 63,000 MILES. TT”NHTSA complaint 978772 — filed 02/06/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOST DRIVE AND SECOND GEAR; NOT CHANGING GEARS; VARIOUS SPEEDS. TT”NHTSA complaint 976948 — filed 12/26/1995 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“POOR PERFORMANCE ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 5 TIMES. TT”NHTSA complaint 976485 — filed 12/12/1995 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1771995501996341997261998151999162000720014200282003220041200712009

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Dodge Caravan?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 65 of 278 NHTSA complaints (23.4%), followed by latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock (40), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (17), engine and engine cooling:engine (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have?

278 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1990 Dodge Caravan's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.