1990 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust indicating coolant burning, excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-800 miles), coolant loss with no external leaks, knocking or rattling from bottom end, overheating despite new radiator/thermostat

Fix: Head gaskets blow between cylinders or into oil passages; piston rings wear causing blowby and oil burning; rod and main bearings fail from oil sludging. Head gasket job alone is 8-10 hours, but most need a full rebuild or used engine swap (12-18 hours labor). The 3.3L is more durable but wasn't standard until late in the model year.

Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: pink milkshake in coolant reservoir (trans fluid in coolant), transmission slipping or delayed engagement, overheating transmission, transmission failure shortly after coolant contamination, crusty red residue around radiator connections

Fix: The factory cooler inside the radiator fails, allowing ATF and coolant to mix. This destroys the transmission within days if not caught. Requires new radiator, external trans cooler install, complete trans fluid system flush, and often transmission rebuild (total 10-14 hours). Always add an external cooler even if radiator is new.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: harsh 1-2 shift or no 2nd gear, slipping between gears under load, delayed engagement into reverse, whining or grinding noise in gear, transmission won't shift out of 1st

Fix: These Torqueflite derivatives wear clutch packs, bands, and valve body components. The lockup torque converter also fails frequently. Rebuild is 8-12 hours; used units are plentiful but condition varies wildly. Many shops recommend a remanufactured unit with warranty.

Estimated cost: $1,500-2,800

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: severe clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, vibration at idle that smooths out at speed, visible engine/trans sag on passenger side, grinding or rubbing noise during acceleration

Fix: The rubber isolator in the front transmission mount deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Replacement is straightforward (1.5-2 hours) but requires supporting the engine/trans from above or below. Use OEM or quality aftermarket; cheap mounts fail in 6 months.

Estimated cost: $180-320

Symptoms: hard starting when hot, stalling at idle after warmup, surging or hesitation during acceleration, won't restart until engine cools for 20-30 minutes

Fix: The in-tank fuel pump pickup screen and inline filter clog with varnish from old fuel, especially in vehicles that sit. The fuel pressure regulator on the throttle body also fails. Filter replacement is 0.5 hours; pump/sender requires tank drop (3-4 hours). Regulator is 1 hour. Often all three are done together on high-mileage examples.

Estimated cost: $350-750

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: whining or groaning when turning, especially when cold, power steering fluid leak from pump or rack boots, heavy steering effort intermittently, puddle of red fluid under front of vehicle

Fix: The pump shaft seals leak and bearings fail; the rack develops pinhole leaks at the bellows. Pump replacement is 1.5-2 hours. Rack is 4-5 hours and requires alignment. Flushing old fluid every 40k miles helps prevent early failure.

Estimated cost: $280-950

Typical onset: 80,000+ mi

Symptoms: liftgate won't latch or requires slamming multiple times, liftgate sags on one side when open, hinge makes popping or cracking noise, rust around hinge mounting points on body

Fix: The plastic latch mechanism wears and the steel hinges rust/crack at the pivot points, especially in salt-belt vehicles. Latch replacement is 0.8 hours. Hinge replacement requires two people and reinforcement of rusty body metal (2-3 hours per side). Recalls addressed some latch issues but not hinge corrosion.

Estimated cost: $150-600