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.
1990 Dodge Caravan: complete transmission failure
24 of the 277 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- recalls
- 0
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
Transmission failed.
Possible transmission failure is causing vehicle to experience no reverse / no first gear.
Pump bushing disintegrated. This caused the torque convertor to be damaged. Transmission fluid leaked. Was pulling away from station when a whining noise was heard. Transmission was replaced august 1995.
Transmission failure. Apparently this is a known problem with the make and year.
Transmission failed while driving at 50 MPH and went into limp mode, almost causing a crash.
Transmission failed several times after replacement.
When traveling 60 to 65 MPH the transmission went out, resulting in loss of verious electrical componets. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
Automatic transmission failure.
The transmission failed.
Transmission failed.
Transmission failed.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin announces the availability and installation of a resuable automatic transmission oil pan gasket
- Subject regarding reusable automatic transmission oil pan gasket
- Service and parts information on 1999 running changes to transmission range sensor (TRS) tt
- Subject on delayed transaxle engagement
- Information on 41TE/42LE service information
- Concerns with 41TE/42LE transaxle shudder during an emcc (electronically modulated converter clutch) shift
- Vehicle shudder during torque converter emcc (lock up) operation/diagnostic trouble code 38
- Unknown
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1990 Dodge Caravan transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1990 Dodge Caravan?
24 of 277 owner complaints about the 1990 Dodge Caravan (9%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1990 Dodge Caravan?
There are 0 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1990 Dodge Caravan
Stalling 8Door locks 5Fire or smoke 5Jerking 5Seat belt 5Slipping 5Won't shift 5
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