AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1986 Dodge Caravan

Van, gasoline, built in Canada. Owner complaints on file from Jan 12, 1995 to Jul 11, 2001.

Recalls (4)Complaints (49)Investigations (8)Bulletins (0)
Recall campaigns covering this model year41.68M vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints4914.0 times the median 1986 van
Severity index22.4Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1986 Dodge Caravan peaked in 1995, with 31 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0102030401995311998200120042007201020132016201920222026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

29% of complaints about the 1986 Dodge Caravan name structure

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Structure
14
Latches and locks
12
Engine and cooling
5
Seat belts
5
Electrical system
2
Equipment
2
Fuel system
2
Tires
2
Powertrain
1
Seats
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

4 recall campaigns cover the 1986 Dodge Caravan

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1986 Dodge Caravan
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
08E-033Apr 14, 2008Part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353Suspension6,903Part replacement
95I-001-008Mar 27, 1995Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans with remote releaseLatches and locks1,262,000Part replacement
95I-001-004Mar 27, 1995Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans without remote releaseLatches and locks411,678Part replacement
86V-010Jan 23, 1986First rear seats were installed with an incorrect left side seat riser which causes failure to comply with the seat and seat belt loading…Seats275Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1986 Dodge Caravan

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

49 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

  1. Filed Jul 11, 2001Failure Jul 4, 2001Lake Oswego, ORTread/belt

    PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, HE NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. *AK THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS FIRESTONE DAYTON THOROBRED STEEL P235/75 R15 M/S.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 892546
  2. Filed Jul 14, 2000Kazenovia, NYTrunk lid1 injured

    WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 865416
  3. Filed Apr 17, 2000Failure Apr 15, 2000Hastings, MIFuel system, Filler pipe and cap, Tires

    VEHICLE PROCEEDING DOWN FREEWAY-LEFT REAR TIRE DISINTAGRATED. WHEN TIRE BLEW-THE TIRE COMPONENTS COMPLETLY TORE OFF THE FUEL FILLER INLET HOSE, AT THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING ENTIRE CONTENTS OF FUEL TANK TO POUR ONTO ROADWAY. THIS IS A SIXTEEN PASSENGER CHURCH VAN. FUEL DID NOT IGNITE. IF IT WOULD HAVE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL SITUATION- PERSON FILLING THIS FORM OUR IS J.P. SARVER- CHIEF OF POLICE- HASTINGS POLICE DEPT. (616) 945-5744, WHO IS ALSO AN ACCIDENT SCENE RECONSTRUCTIONISTS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 721560
  4. Filed Mar 27, 2000Colbert, WAFuel system, Delivery, Hoses, Lines/piping

    CORROSION WITHIN THE ENGINE AT THE FIREWALL, CAUSING GROUND STRAPS TO SEPARATE, AND RESULTING IN FUEL SPRAYING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, GAS WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 859244
  5. Filed Dec 19, 1999Rutherford, NJService brakes, Foundation components

    REAR FISHTALES WHEN BRAKES ARE MODERATELY APPLIED.LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS IMMINENT IN WET WEATHER.

    NHTSA complaint 716223
  6. Filed Aug 24, 1999Failure Jun 16, 1999Cutler, CARadiator assembly1 injured

    PLASTIC CAN'T BE USED FOR RADIATORS!

    NHTSA complaint 710417
  7. Filed Nov 6, 1998Failure Oct 30, 1998Edgewood, MDGas recirculation valve (egr valve)

    EGR VALVE KEEPS MELTING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED IT COULD BE FUEL LAYING IN THE SYSTEM, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 830309
  8. Filed Jul 6, 1998Gray, TNRear

    TRANSAXLE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOCKUP TWICE.

    NHTSA complaint 537751
  9. Filed Jul 6, 1998Colts Neck, NJBelts and associated pulleys

    SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.

    NHTSA complaint 537337
  10. Filed May 21, 1998Monroe, MILatch

    THE PROP ROD FOR THE HOOD CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE OWNER'S HEAD. MECHANIC SYAS MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 823545
  11. Filed Apr 29, 1998Failure Dec 12, 1997Pascagoula, MSDiesel, Radiator assembly

    ENGINE DIESELS AND RADIATOR BURST.

    NHTSA complaint 535009
  12. Filed Apr 9, 1997SAN Jose, CAFront underhoodFire

    WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED, THEN WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD, HEARD EXPLOSION, THEN BLACK SMOKE POURED FROM ENGINE, FLAMES ENGULFED VEHICLE TOTALLY, NO INJURIES. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 810862
  13. Filed Oct 25, 1996Failure Nov 15, 1990SAN Jose, CABuckle assembly

    POOR SEAT AND SHOULDER BELT PERFORMANCE, THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO GET OUT. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 804067
  14. Filed Oct 21, 1996Failure Apr 1, 1996Spokane, WARetractor

    SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE.

    NHTSA complaint 510326
  15. Filed Oct 18, 1996Failure Oct 18, 1996Elyria, OHGasoline

    VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

    NHTSA complaint 509998
  16. Filed Apr 25, 1996Failure Dec 6, 1995Thetford Center, VTTailgate

    DIFFICULTY GETTING REPAIRS DONE, RECALL #6404.

    NHTSA complaint 503608
  17. Filed Apr 11, 1996Failure Apr 9, 1996Colqued, MNSeats

    WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE IN HALF AND THE DRIVER FELL BACK AND ENDED UP IN THE REAR SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 982628
  18. Filed Jan 17, 1996Failure Nov 1, 1995Renton, WARear compartment/trunkFire

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE CAUSED BY THE RUBBING OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS. TT

    NHTSA complaint 977678
  19. Filed Oct 26, 1995Failure Jan 12, 1995Maumee, OHSupport device/strut

    REAR HYDRAULIC LIFTS DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER. TT *JB

    NHTSA complaint 974004
  20. Filed Oct 24, 1995Failure May 1, 1995White Bear L, MNLock

    CLIPS THAT ATTACH REAR DOOR LATCH ARE COMING OFF DOORS. TT

    NHTSA complaint 973859
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

8 NHTSA investigations on file

  • EA94005 Engineering analysis, Structure
    LIFTGATE LATCHES
    Opened Jan 31, 1994, closed Oct 25, 1995
  • EA91010 Engineering analysis, Powertrain
    TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
    Opened Dec 10, 1990, closed Dec 31, 1991
  • EA90030 Engineering analysis, Equipment
    SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS
    Opened May 31, 1990, closed Sep 24, 1990
  • PE90079 Preliminary evaluation, Visibility and wipers
    REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS
    Opened May 7, 1990, closed Oct 2, 1990
  • EA90011 Engineering analysis, Lighting
    UNDERDASH FIRES
    Opened Feb 23, 1990, closed Feb 28, 1991
  • PE90030 Preliminary evaluation, Equipment
    SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
    Opened Jan 9, 1990, closed May 31, 1990
  • PE89170 Preliminary evaluation, Engine and cooling
    UNDERDASH FIRES
    Opened Sep 26, 1989, closed Feb 23, 1990
  • PE88095 Preliminary evaluation, Seats
    BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT
    Opened Aug 22, 1988, closed Feb 15, 1989
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

No manufacturer communications on file

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins