1990 DODGE Grand Caravan Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

POWER TRAIN

27 complaints

TRANSMISSION DROPPED ALL BUT 2ND AND 1ST GEAR WAS TOLD AT TRANSMISSION SHOP IT IS KNOW TO DO THAT... *TR

May 19, 2008

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE "LURCHING" MOTION MADE BY THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND REPEATEDLY. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NORMAL AND REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. IN OCTOBER 1991 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE WE WERE IN TENNESSEE AND WITNESSED BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN SIEVERVILLE, TN. UPON RETURN TO FLORIDA. THE DODGE DEALER IN CORAL SPRINGS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. (OR SO WE WERE TOLD) THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WORKED FOR 5 YEARS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 1996. THAT TRANSMISSION WAS A PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. WHILE IN WASH. DC IN JULY 1997, THE CAR WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. THE ENGINE KEPT RACING AND ONLY STOPED WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE DODGE DEALER IN WDC SAID THAT BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE WE CLEARED THE COMPUTER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE THIRD TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AND NOW I HAVE HAD TO HAVE TWO REPAIRS ON THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE LURCHES AND JERKS SUGGESTING THAT THERE ARE MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR CAR. DT

Nov 20, 2002

MINI VAN NEEDS FIFTH TRANSMISSION. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON 10/25/91.

Mar 14, 2001

A604 TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHIN 3000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE. COMPLETELY REBUILT IN OCT., 1997. MILEAGE AT FAILURE, APPROX. 82,000. PRIOR HISTORY UNKNOWN. TRANSMISSION AGAIN FAILED AT A LITTLE OVER 122,000 MILES. AGAIN, COMPLETELY OVERHAULED. SPOKE WITH MANAGER OF TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO INFORMED ME OF COUNTLESS FAILURES OF THIS TRANSMISSION TYPE, AND THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS GOOD FOR HIS BUSINESS, HE KNEW OF MAJOR DESIGN FLAWS WITHIN THE A604, AND ITS SUCCESSOR, A606. IN FACT, HE HAD THREE OTHER VEHICLES, WITH MILEAGES RANGING FROM 32,000 TO 65,000, ALL WITH THE SAME FAILURES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE HALF-AXLES REPLACED, THREE TIMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, TWICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, AND SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS TRANSMISSION ON THE INTERNET, IT IS READILY APPARENT THAT CHRYSLER/DODGE HAS A FUNDAMENTAL, KNOWN LATENT DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THIS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SPENT MORE ON THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULS ($3000) AND THE HALF-AXLES ($1000) THAN I PAID FOR THE VAN. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NHTSA AGRESSIVELY PURSUE THE ISSUE OF THIS EXPENSIVE, RECURRING TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN DESIGN FLAWS AND THEIR CATASTROPHIC FAILURES WITH THE MANUFACTURER. INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH DEALERS AND THE CHRYSLER CORP. ARE FRUSTRATING AND POINTLESS. THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS, MULTI-YEAR PROBLEM, AND INDIVIDUALS BEAR THE BRUNT OF THIS COSTLY MISTAKE ON THEIR PART. PLEASE NOTE: CHRYSLER'S OVERHAUL KIT FOR THIS TRANSMISSION DOES NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN FLAW; IT ONLY PROLONGS THE ISSUE! CHRYSLER CORP., AND ITS DEALERS' ATTITUDE TOWARD ITS CUSTOMERS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE IS BLATANTLY UNFAIR, CRASS, AND AS OF THIS DATE, FULL OF LIES AND DENIALS OF THE ISSUE.

Oct 07, 2000

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT UP AFTER STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WENT IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND OUR MECHANIC HAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS QUITE A WAITING LIST FOR THE CASE BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH INTERNAL CRACKS ON THIS CASE. MOST MECHANICS DON'T EVEN WANT TO WORK ON THEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ONE MECHANIC THAT THEY WORK ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS MORE THAN ANY OTHERS. *AK

Mar 31, 2000

+ 22 more complaints for this component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

10 complaints

CAR KIND OF SPUTTERED AND THEN CONTINUALLY RUNNING GOOD. AS IF IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS SHORT ON GAS. HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE DIED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. ONCE IN WISC., LUCKILY ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM A DODGE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. AGAIN IN ARKANSAS, HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT ON A SUNDAY. STILL HAD PROBLEMS. WOULD RUN A FEW BLOCK AND DIE. ABOUT 4-5 TIMES. WAITED UNTIL MONDAY WHEN DODGE DEALERSHIP OPENED, TOOK IT TO THEM. THEY SAID A WIRE RUNNING TO THE FUEL PUMP RAN OVER THE TRANSMISSION, WOULD RUB AGAINST IT RUBBING IT BARE AND SHORT OUT THE FUEL PUMP. THIS EVENT HAPPENED OUT IN THE BOONDOCKS ABOUT 15-20 MILES. CELL PHONE DIED, FORTUNATELY A STATE PATROL/ SHERIFFS CAR HAPPENED BY AND WAS ABLE TO GET US A TOW TRUCK. THIS WAS ON A SATURDAY LATE DAY. WAS TOWED INTO THE NEAREST TOWN WHERE WAS ABLE TO GET A FUEL PUMP FROM A JOBBER ON SUNDAY, HAD AN INDEPENDENTS MECHANIC INSTALL IT, BUT STILL CAR WOULD NOT RUN RIGHT. ON MONDAY HAD THE DODGE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRE LEADING TO THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH WAS RUBBED BARE AND SHORTING OUT. THEY SAID A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED TO CUT THE WIRE, SHORTENED IT, SPLICE IT BACK TOGETHER AND TAPE IT UP AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION SO I DOESN'T OCCUR AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A VEHICLE RECALL I BELIEVE. IN THE FAR SOUTH IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE, A NUISANCE IN THE FRIGID NORTHLAND IT IS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUT IN THE OPEN AT 20 BELOW ZERO WITH A 20 MPH WIND BLOWING AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON A VACATION IN THE SOUTH AND NOT IN MY NATIVE NORTHLAND. AND I DO SILL HAVE THE FUEL PUMP I REPLACED WHILE I WAS IN ARKANSAS. IT WOULD BE NICE IF INFORMATION SITE AS THIS WERE MADE MORE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 5-6 YEARS AGO THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 3-27-04 I DIDN'T REPORT THIS TO ANY AGENCY BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHERE TO REPORT IT. *TR

Jun 01, 2008

FUEL RAIL FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE VAN. I STARTED TO SMELL RAW GASOLINE IN THE CLOSED CABIN, I WAS ABOUT TO PASS MY MECHANICS SHOP, SO I PULLED IN TO SEE WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. MY MECHANIC AND I WERE BOTH SURPRISED TO SEE THE FUEL RAIL HAD FAILED IN TWO PLACES, AT THE SAME TIME!!!, CAUSING THE RAW GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE, (3.3L). I AM SURPRISED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ALREADY ARE HERE ON THIS DATA BASE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, AND REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT THERE WAS NOT!!! THE NEW FUEL RAIL IS $302.00 PLUS TAX, PLUS MY MECHANIC NEEDS 1.9 HOURS OF SHOP TIME TO INSTALL IT, (AT $75.00/HR) PLUS TAX, PLUS A UPPER PLENUM GASKET SET, ($30.00). THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL TO OVER $500.00, HEAVEN FORBID IF MY VAN HAD ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND I LOST EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING THAT I HAD IN OUR FAMILY VAN! I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GREAT MAINTENANCE DONE AND HAVE ALL OF THE RECORDS. THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH ABUSE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT IS JUST A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, PERIOD. I HAVE BOUGHT ANOTHER MUCH NEWER DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, AND JUST FOUND OUT THAT IT HAS 6 RECALLS ON IT !!!!!!! I AM GOING TO SELL BOTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND GET ME ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS VAN, OR TRUCK. *NM

Jan 24, 2007

THE FUEL INJECTION LEAKED FUEL IN TWO POSITIONS.*JB

Feb 25, 2003

FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. MECH SAID THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS-COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE.VEHICLE TOO OLD FOR RECENT RECALL, WHICH COVERS VEHICLES FROM 1995-2000, BUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.PAID $630.76 ON 1/13/01 FOR NEW FUEL RAIL AND O-RINGS. MECH SAID TODAY (3/30/02) THAT MY CAR HAD SAME PROBLEM THAT HE HAD RECENTLY FIXED ON RECALLED VEHICLE. *AK

Mar 30, 2002

FUEL RAIL HAS TWO METAL/METAL JOINTS THAT SPRAY GAS ON THE THE ENGINE WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. AFTER THE METAL TUBE FITTING WARMS UP THE LEAK STOPS. THE FUEL RAIL HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE ONLY DETECTION IS WHEN GAS SPRAYS ON THE ENGINE. *AK

Dec 24, 1999

Fire: 1

+ 5 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

6 complaints

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE DOOR HAS FALLEN OUT OF ITS' TRACK. MECHANICS AT MY SHOP CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT TO DO THIS. SUGGESTED I CONTACT DODGE TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OR IF IT IS JUST AN ANOMOLY OF MY VAN. THEY CAN'T EVEN TELL IF SOMETHING IS WORN OUT AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *AK

Jun 25, 2000

REAR HATCHBACK CYLINDERS FAILED. *AK

Jul 10, 1997

THE DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING UP THE ELECTRIC WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD, AND THEN THE DOOR FLEW OPEN BECAUSE OF A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD SNAPPED OFF, AND FELL DOWN/JAMMED THE DOOR LOCK OPENED. *AK

Apr 21, 1997

FIRE WALL CRACKED, EXPOSING SOME OF THE UNDERLINING INSULATION MATERIAL.

Mar 21, 1997

SHEET METAL STRUCTURE OF VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO TRANSFER VEHICLE FORCES. FIREWALL TRANSFERS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE FORCES AND IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO STRESS WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF THE FIREWALL/STRUCTURE DUE TO ITS INADEQUATE DESIGN. THE FORCE IN THIS CASE IS A LEFT TURNING FORCE WHICH AFTER NUMEROUS LEFT TURNS CAUSED A CRACK (V-SHAPED)IN THE FIREWALL, EXPOSING INSULATION MATERIAL. AW

Mar 21, 1997

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 complaints

RADIATOR LEAKED. YH

Feb 24, 2000

WATER PUMP FAILURE CAUSED NOISE YH

Feb 24, 2000

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Apr 04, 1997

WHILE ENGINES IS RUNNING RAW GASOLINE LEAKS/DRIPS OFF THE TOP OF ENGINE DOWN ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK

Jan 13, 1997

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 complaints

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND MAKING A QUICK STOP THE PEDAL TRAVELS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBROAD AND THE VAN CONTINUES TO TRAVEL. THIS HAPPENS ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE, VACCUM BOOSTER AND ALL MOVING PARTS OF THE BRAKES, INCLUDING THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND SHOES WERE ALSO REPLACED. OWNER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS. *AK

Jul 06, 1998

BRAKES FAILED.

Apr 23, 1997

WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VAN PULLS TO THE RIGHT.

Aug 30, 1996

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ALONG AND RIGHT SIDE BACK PUSHED OUT WINDOW AND SHATTERED IT. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING WAS RUNNING AT TIME. DEALERS HAD NO RESPONSE TO HOW IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED.*AK

Mar 27, 2001

REAR WINDOW WASHER PUMP FAILED. YH

Feb 24, 2000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

PAINT IS BUBLED UP AND PEALING OFF IN LARGE SECTIONS OF FRONT HOOD AND ROOF OF VAN.

Aug 30, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Apr 08, 1999

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED WHEN 50LB PET DOG STOOD ON IT.

Jan 19, 1998

CENTER SEAT/RIGHT SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE RELEASES FREQUENTLY WHEN THE BELT IS IN USE. *AK

May 02, 1997

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

THREADED COMPOSITE BLOCK FAILED ON CAR JACK WHILE JACKING UP RIGHT FRONT PORTION OF MINI VAN WHILE OPERATOR WAS SERVICING RIGHT FRONT TIRE. DEFECT CAUSED COMPLETE AND IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF JACK AND CAR FALLING TO GARAGE FLOOR.*AK

Jul 24, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. DRIVER'S LATCHING PLATE COVER IS CRACKED & NOT WORKING. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & INFORMED NORMAL WEAR/TEAR & NOT A RECALL ISSUE. ALSO, BRAKE ROTORS WERE FLAKING & NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

Jul 08, 1999

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

FUEL RAIL HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE LEAK. CALLED DEALER (TOWSON DODGE) AND WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS ASSEMBLY IN SOME DODGE PRODUCTS. CALLED ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT THIS PART AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS BACK ORDERED TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART. MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON SOME DODGE PRODUCTS, BUT NOT MINE. PLASTIC MOLDING ON SEATBELT BUCKLES HAS CRACKED AND CAN NO LONGER BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY. PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. LAST YEAR WHEN A TAILGATE LATCH RECALL WAS COMPLETED, I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE SEATBELTS ,AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. *AK

Feb 01, 1999

PARKING BRAKE

1 complaint

AFTER RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE BRAKSE REMAIN LOCKED, AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE.

Jan 23, 1999

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

VEHICLE WAS IN A PARK POSITION, BUT ENGINE WAS STILL ON, PARK PAWL CHANGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE BY ITSELF,SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS DEFECT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Nov 17, 1997

Crash: 1

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

SWAY BAR BROKE IN TWO WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, CAR WAS SWAYING. *AK

May 20, 1997

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

LIGHTS FAILED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

Aug 30, 1996

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4.9/5.0

76 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan have?

The 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan currently has 63 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan?

The most common problems reported for the 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1990 DODGE Grand Caravan comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.