1990 Dodge Caravan transmission problems

Filed Feb 20, 2007 · Transmission · 87,534 miles · ID

I started noticing a slight grinding noise 1 week before the failure. It only happened when it was cold and only when turning left. I thought it could be a bad u-joint. On the morning of 2-16-07 8:15 am I was turning left at an intersection when the transmission gave out. It chewed up one of the bearings (which a mechanic later told me was notorious for going out) and dropped them all over the road. I was caught in the middle of the intersection with no way to go anywhere, blocking traffic. This could have resulted in a major accident. I was also unable to leave the vehicle on the side of the road which had an incline to it. The transmission was no longer attached to the drivetrain and putting the transmission in park had no effect. I had to push the vehicle into someone's driveway and leave it there with a rock in front of the wheel. I did have the emergency brake on but I was not going to totally trust it to keep the van stationary. This is the second transmission that has been put into the van. It is a 1990 with only 87000 original miles. I am the second owner and only put 2000-3000 miles a year on this van. The second transmission has less than 25000 miles on it.

Filed Feb 14, 2003 · Body, Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2002 · Transmission · TN

Transmission failed.

Filed Apr 12, 2002 · Transmission · OK

While driving 70 MPH vehicle shifted into another gear/ started jerking, and locked in park. Please add VIN.

Filed May 11, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Front end locked up after snap ring broke while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer.

Filed Apr 9, 2001 · Transmission · MD

I know of 3 other family's that have the same yr., make & model of van with the same transmission problem.

Filed Mar 30, 2001 · Transmission · NV

This seems to be a real problem and something needs to be done . I feel that dodge should be held responsible for these transmissions considering that they know the are bad . People shouldnot have to go to court for dodge to pay up.there should be a national recall as there are several reports on file .the transmissions lock-up without warning and can be a major cause of an accident. Then what will be done?

Filed Aug 20, 2000 · Transmission · WI

My 3.0 l 4-speed automatic 1990 dodge caravan recently began having trouble shifting into overdrive. It shifts into 1st, 2nd, then 3rd, but as it trys to shift into overdrive it bucks three times than abruptly shifts into second gear surging the passangers forward. I must then shut off the van and restart it for it to be drivable. I normally don't take this type of action but through my research have found numerous other similar complaints on this vehicle's transmission. When I found an article in consumer reports (october 1999) where this same thing happened to another individual I decided to take action.

Filed Aug 14, 2000 · Transmission · PA

Paint peeled off also. No safety defect listed in summary.

Filed Oct 22, 1999 · Transmission · MD

Possible transmission failure is causing vehicle to experience no reverse / no first gear.