1989 Dodge Caravan Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 8%of 191 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 1989 Dodge Caravan, 8% of the 191 complaints for this model year. 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #759811, filed 2002-03“Driving down road, wife heard noise, stopped vehicle & lifted hood; flames shot out from ignition wiring; got wife/daughter out of vehicle; called fire dept., could not locate exact area of fire origin.”
NHTSA complaint #809068, filed 1997-03“After the auto was driven and parked for approx 3 hrs w/ignition in off position it began to smoke and told by fire dept fires started in electrical system.”
NHTSA complaint #981327, filed 1996-03Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 17% |
| 2014 | 7 | 35% |
| 2013 | 15 | 50% |
| 2012 | 47 | 54% |
| 2011 | 54 | 69% |
| 2010 | 79 | 46% |
| 2009 | 72 | 61% |
| 2008 | 162 | 54% |
| 2007 | 9 | 11% |
| 2006 | 30 | 17% |
| 2005 | 123 | 23% |
| 2004 | 8 | 12% |
| 2003 | 29 | 15% |
| 2002 | 33 | 13% |
| 2001 | 29 | 11% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 64 | 12% |
| 1998 | 68 | 11% |
| 1997 | 96 | 13% |
| 1996 | 213 | 15% |
| 1995 | 40 | 8% |
| 1994 | 36 | 6% |
| 1993 | 44 | 5% |
| 1992 | 35 | 4% |
| 1991 | 19 | 3% |
| 1990 | 14 | 5% |
| 1989 | 15 | 8% |
| 1988 | 7 | 7% |
| 1987 | 4 | 6% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
| 1985 | 5 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1989 Dodge Caravan
48 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
28 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Dodge Caravan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology