1989 DODGE CARAVAN Recalls, Complaints & Safety

SUSPENSION

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.

Remedy: 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.

6,903 vehicles affected

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

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.

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

411,678 vehicles affected

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

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.

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

1,262,000 vehicles affected

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.

640,000 vehicles affected

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

634,000 vehicles affected

THERE HAS DEVELOPED AN UNUSUAL AND UNSAFE CONDITION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK MECHANISM THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO LOCK BY ITSELF WHEREBY IT IS UNABLE TO BE UNLOCKED BY ANY MEANS FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IS FROM THE OUTSIDE BY USE OF THE KEY. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 89V237000. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AS WELL AS MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO GET HIS CAR SERVICED. HOWEVER, TO THIS DAY HIS CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN SERVICED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH DEALER. *AK *NLM

FUEL INJECTOR LEAK SPRAYS HIGH PRESSURE GASOLINE ON TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE LEAK FROM INJECTOR ONTO HOT COMPONENTS OF ENGINE. LEAKAGE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY WITH DECREASE IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. INJECTOR: BENDIX DEKA 4418213

MOTOR MOUNTS SHATTERED. NLM

THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY AFTER A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED, INITIALLY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE BREAKAGE OF TWO AXLES, MAIN AXLE, VAC PINION AND BOTH FRONT BEARINGS (R4761821-AA TRANSMISSION-41T 2100 2001). NLM

BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. *YH

TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, OIL SEAL, CRANKSHAFT AND VALVE GASKET WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURE WAS HIGH DUE TO RADIATOR HOSE FAILURE. *YH

WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YH *CB

TWO FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED. *YH

STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *YH

WIRE STRAND THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE ONTO VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, IT SNAPPED, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF.*AK JLG

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Fire

VIBRATION CAUSING BODY OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO CRACK . BOLTS THAT HOLD LOCKING MECHANISM HAD EXPANDED, AND THEY FELL INSIDE OF DOOR. DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. *AK

WE WERE DRIVING ON RT 1 IN SMRNA DELAWARE AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE VAN GOT OUT AND SAW FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON 3/17/2002 AT 8/30 PM WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

Fire

WHILE TRAVELING AT 20 MPH PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD PASSENGER WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SPRING INSIDE OF THE MECHANISM BROKE, THIS SPRING STOPPED SEATBELT FROM COMING OUT OF SEATBELT RETRACTOR IN COLLISION. PASSENGER WAS THROWN AGAINST WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED NECK AND HEAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Crash 1 injured

WHILE BACK DOOR IS OPENED COULD BE PLACING ANYTHING INSIDE OF VEHICLE, BUT IT WILL BE DROPING DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. DEALER HAD TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM, BUT STILL PROBLEM CONTINUED JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN RECALL 95 I 001 008. *AK

HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT NEARLY BRIGHT ENOUGH AND ARE AN UNSAFELY DESIGNED. *AK

TRUNK DOOR, WHEN OPENING WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION, WILL SLAM SHUT. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE PUT IN DRIVE, IT WILL NOT TAKE OFF. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE IT IN D1 CONSTANTLY, WHEN SHE DRIVES IT IN D2 VEHICLE WILL STALL. *AK *SLC

THE RIGHT LIFT ON THE TAILGATE IS TEARING THE BODY MATERIAL AND LEAVING JAGGED METAL EXPOSED. I HAVE TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY IN THIS MATTER AND THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED BEFORE.*AK

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD BUT, DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO WRITE. IT IS THE PAINT & THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME THAT IN 89 VEHICLES DID NOT RECEIVE PRIMER AND THEREFORE CAUSED PAINT TO CHIP. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS BUT TO PASSIFY ME THEY WOULD ALLOW 200 TO SPOT PAINT MY VAN AND I WOULD PAY 200 AT MAACO. NOT THERE DEALERSHIP SHOP BUT MAACO AND TO ONLY ALLOW SPOT PAINTING. I HAD ALREADY PAID TO HAVE THE HOOD AND FRONT FENDERS PAINTED BECAUSE IT WAS SO BAD AND THE ROOF IS NOW HORRIBLE! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND FEEL IT IS ONLY RIGHT THEY PAINT THE VAN AND GET IT OVER WITH! I HAVE COMPLAINED FOR THE PAST FIVE OR MORE YEARS ABOUT THE VAN STALLING OUT IF I USE MY AIR CONDITIONER BUT NONE OF THE DODGE DEALERS CAN OR WILL FIND ANY PROBLEM SO I SUFFER IN THE HEAT. IF I USE THE A/C AND WHEN I REACH MY DESTINATION AND SHUT IT OFF EVEN IF I LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT THE VAN WILL STALL OUT.PLEASE FORWARD TO PROPER PEOPLE AND LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THESE TWO PROBLEMS. I AM NOT TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ONLY WANT COMFORT . I PLAN ON BUYING ANOTHER DODGE PROBABLY IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS AS OTHER THAN THE AFORE MENTIONED IRRATATIONS I HAVE ENJOYED MY VAN AND GOTTEN A LOT OF USE OUT OF IT AND WANT TO KEEP IT!*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHYWAY AND HEARD A BIG BOOMING SOUND. SHE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *AK

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HINGE MOUNTS FAILED. YH

TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

ENGINE FAILED. YH

MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE. YH

WHEN TRAVELING VEHICLE STALLED/CUT OFF AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

Fire

WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE THE NEWLY INSTALLED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS DEFFECTIVE. *AK

Fire

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING DUE TO FAILURE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING SPARE TIRE FELL OFF ON THE ROAD. THE CABLE, THAT SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE,HAD BROKEN. VEHICLE BEHIND HIT TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED NOTHING WILL BE DONE DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *AK

VALVE COVER GASKET JUST STARTED LEAKING 1 WEEK AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VAN. 2. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON SEPT. 24, 1999 2ND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THE WHOLE THING NEEDS REPLACING ONCE AGAIN.

THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS ISSUE(#18-31-90, NHTSA ITEM # SB022436). IT READS AS FOLLOWS: START-STALL AND/OR DECEL DIEOUT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS-REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF ORIGINGAL ENGINE CONTROLLER(SMEC) WITH REVISED UNIT-ALL 1989/90 DODGE CARAVANS. OUR VAN DID THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE IT FINNALLY DIED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A LUCKY THING THAT WE WERE ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AT THE TIME AND HAD A PLACE TO PULL OVER. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY TOLD US THE ENGINE CONTROLLER HAD FAILED AND IT WOULD BE $400 TO REPLACE IT, MONEY WE DIDN'T HAVE. SO OUR VAN JUST SITS THERE WAITING TO BE FIXED AND WE DON'T HAVE A CAR EXCEPT FOR A 3-PERSON TRUCK(THERE ARE 5 IN OUR FAMILY).

THE EXTERIOR PAINT ON THE ROOF AND ALONG THE GUTTERS IS PEELING AND FLAKING OFF. THE UNDERCOAT HAS TURNED INTO A FINE POWDERY SUBSTANCE THAT STREAKS DOWN THE VEHICLE AFTER IS BEEN WASHED OR DURING A RAINFALL. THE PAINT AROUND THE AFT WINDOWS IS ALSO FLAKING OFF. THE PAINT SEEMS TO BE LIFTING OFF FROM UNDER THE PAINT SURFACE.

THIS PROBLEM SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS, I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING A BEHIND ANYONE AND FINDING THEIR SPARE TIRE GAVE AWAY. THIS INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF A FRAYED CABLE NOT A LOOSE CONNECTION. I GOT ANOTHER SPARE AT THE JUNK YARD AND VERIFIED OTHER ACCOUNTS OF FRAYED CABLE ASSEMBLIES. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS COULD BE MORE POPULAR?

THE DODGE CARAVAN WHILE PARKED-- CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE UNDERNEATH HOOD DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON.COMPLETELY GUTTED!

Fire

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINT APPLICATION OF MY VEHICLE. AS A RESULT THE FINISH ON MY CAR HAS DETERIORATED GRADUALLY SINCE EARLY IN THE LIFE OF MY CAR. IT IS NOW AT THE POINT THAT IT IS COVERED WITH SOME TYPE OF PEELING FILM AND HAS A DULL FINISH. I FOUND EVIDENCE THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT AND THEREFORE I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAINT MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE. ALSO THE AIR CONITIONING HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED SATISFACTORY AND I HAVE INCURRED ABOUT $1000 IN REPAIR BILLS TO TRY TO CORRECT IT AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO CERTAIN CONSUMER REPORTS VEHICLES LIKE MINE HAVE BEEN RATED FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND PAINT PROBLEMS. I FEEL THE MFR. SHOULD REMEDY THIS SITUATION.

TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS FAIL INTERMITTANTLY, REPLACEMENT UNAVAILABLE.

ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET DISLOCATED, CAUSING AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT GASKET. ALSO DRIVING THE VEHICLE VIRBRATES. *AK

SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONED.

ENGINE VALVE SEAL FAILURE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. ALSO NOTICED EXHAUST SMOKE WHILE AT IDLE SPEED.

ENGINE VALVE SEAL FAILURE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. ALSO, EXHAUST SYSTEM SMOKES WHILE AT IDLE SPEED.

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. REPLACED WINDOW. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

DRIVER SEAT CAME UNBOLTED FROM FLOORBOARD IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, ALLOWING DRIVER TO HIT STEERING COLUMN, WINDSHIELD AND DASH BOARD RESULTING IN CRITICAL INJURIES. BOTH VEHICLE WERE TRAVELING APPROX. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH.

1 injured 1 deaths

CONSUMER STATES HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION. *AK

TRANSMISSION IS MISSING, AND IT DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK