1990 Dodge Caravan: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Dodge Caravan: 3 recalls, 278 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #89V237000 · 1989 · 634,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The engine valve cover gasket May dislocate and allow an engine oil leak at the gasket.
Why it matters: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #90V145000 · 1990 · 100 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #91V053000 · 1991 · 640,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Inboard front seat belt buckle assembly straps can suffer fatigue failure of the strap near its anchor position.
Why it matters: 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.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Latches & locks Recall #95I001003 · 1995 · 72,845 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Latches & locks Recall #95I001007 · 1995 · 360,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Suspension Equipment recall #08E033000 · 2008 · 6,903 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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,…
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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (74): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19), noise or vibration (5).
- Body & structure (57): the most common themes are door / lock issues (18).
- Latches & locks (48): the most common themes are door / lock issues (39).
- Seat belts (23): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Dodge Caravan has 278 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 28 Caravan model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 359). Complaints peaked in 1995 (143 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 140,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (617 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Dodge Caravan.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Dodge Caravan, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Dodge Caravan problems?
Owners have filed 278 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (74), body & structure (57), latches & locks (48).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Dodge Caravan get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Dodge Caravan repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.