59 of the
341 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan are about the
body and structure — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
140,000 miles.
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, 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.
NHTSA complaint #10005828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marengo, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT ON 1990 DODGE CARAVAN IS PEELING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10000775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE STRUT TO THE BODY OF THE LIFTGATE PUSHED INTO THE BODY OF THE VAN, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO DROP DOWN ONTO VICTIM'S HEAD. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #859366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwakee, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
AFTER DRIVING AND WHEN LETTING PASSENGER OUT OF VEHICLE THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR FELL COMPETELY OFF, MAKING IT MPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SLIDING DOOR . CONSUMER TOOK VAN TO PRIVATE MECHANIC TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE, FEARS THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #858084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield Glade, TN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE OWNER WAS SHUTTING THE SLIDING DOOR , DOOR CAME OFF THE TRACK AND FELL OFF ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #837797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Wenat, WA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
PAINT COMING OFF ALL OVER THE VAN.
NHTSA complaint #534543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SLIDING DOOR ROLLER ASSEMBLY CAME OFF THE TRACK WHEN DOOR WAS BEING OPEN. DOOR WOULD JUST HANG THERE. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC HAD REPAIRED IT ONCE. NOW THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR THE SAME REASON.
NHTSA complaint #822119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
RIGHT LIFTER BRACKET CAME OFF AT THE WELD POINT WHEN CLOSING LIFTGATE.
NHTSA complaint #520858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua Kona, HI
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HATCHBACK STRUT MOUNT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UPPER ANCHORAGE OF LIFTGATE STRUT AT TOP RIPPED/CRACKED INTERIOR BODY AT PIVOT; STRUT TORE UPPER PIVOT LOOSE AND PUSHED IT BETWEEN INNER FRAME AND UPPER BODY.
NHTSA complaint #803289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorkville, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
MECHANISM INSIDE HATCH LOOSE DUE TO RETAINING SCREWS THAT SECURES IT TO BODY, FELL OUT. *AK PART WAS REPLACED WITH RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #801070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake City, SC
STRUCTURE
SRTRUCTURE OF REAR HATCH LATCH WOULDN'T OPEN PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #800449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR HATCH DOOR HYDRAULIC LIFT STRUTS FAILING, ALLOWING DOOR TO DESCEND IN INSTANCES PE92-027.
NHTSA complaint #986885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Forest, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
OWNERS HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 1 YEAR FOR THIS RECALL TO BE COMPLETED.MFR 800-LINE IS STATING NOW THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TILL NOV-DEC 1996. 95I001003. *A
NHTSA complaint #985172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Ellyn, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR TRACK BENT, ALLOWING DOOR TO FALL OFF. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #500957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.