Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1989 Dodge Caravan: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 89V237000.
28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 91V053000.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on December 27, 1989. The campaign covers an estimated 634,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 1991. The campaign covers an estimated 640,000 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
UNDERDASH FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
LIFTGATE LATCHES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
UNDERDASH FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 91V053000.
REAR WIPER SWITCH/FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
R/HTCHBCK HYDR.CYLIN.FAILS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.