AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1986 Dodge Lancer

Hatchback, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Sep 26, 1995 to Aug 16, 2006.

Recalls (3)Complaints (14)Investigations (4)Bulletins (0)
Recall campaigns covering this model year3619k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints144.0 times the median 1986 hatchback
Severity index7.1Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1986 Dodge Lancer peaked in 1998, with 6 filed

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

0246199519986200120042007201020132016201920222026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

29% of complaints about the 1986 Dodge Lancer name engine and cooling

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

Engine and cooling
4
Electrical system
3
Fuel system
3
Brakes
3
Steering
3
Lighting
2
Powertrain
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Structure
1
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 1986 Dodge Lancer

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 Lancer
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
08E-033Apr 14, 2008Part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353Suspension6,903Part replacement
88V-105Jul 1, 1988Fuel leakage may occur in low ambient temperature operation at connections of an engine compartment fuel supply hose to the pressure regulator and…Fuel system580,000Part replacement
86V-053Apr 10, 1986Battery cap vents may be partially or completely blocked with plastic flashingElectrical system32,149Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1986 Dodge Lancer

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.

14 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Aug 16, 2006Failure Jul 21, 2006Roswell, NMAlternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, Fuel system, Fuel pump

    1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10165872
  2. Filed Jul 24, 2006Failure Jul 15, 2006170,401 milesRoswell, NMElectrical system, Engine, Interior lighting, Front

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A USED VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND HAS HAD MANY IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING AND THE FRONT LEFT ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WERE PERFORMED; TUNE UP, OIL CHANGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT ALIGNMENT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HAS PERSISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE OF JULY 15TH OF 2006.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10163344
  3. Filed Oct 30, 1999Iron Mount, MIEngine

    FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BROKE CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK & FORTH WHILE SWITCHED BETWEEN REVERSE & DRIVE, ENGINE SHOOK SEVERELY & BANGED UNDER SIDE OF HOOK WHEN IN REVERSE. *ET

    NHTSA complaint 781430
  4. Filed Jul 27, 1999Ashburn, VAFuel system, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    FUEL LINE FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, FIREWALL AND HOOD PAD. NLM

    NHTSA complaint 547553
  5. Filed Jan 17, 1999Failure Nov 1, 1998Iron Mountain, MIService brakes, Master cylinder

    FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. FLUID RETURN VALVE IN MASTER CYLINDER PLUGGED. REPLACED PADS, ROTORS, MASTER CYLINDER.

    NHTSA complaint 702297
  6. Filed Dec 9, 1998Failure Oct 15, 1998Steubenville, OHSwitch, Exhaust system

    WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK THICK SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST UNIT. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 829631
  7. Filed Oct 30, 1998Failure Oct 25, 1998Iron Mount, MILinkages

    POWER STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET CONNECTION AT THE ENGINE BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE. *ET

    NHTSA complaint 781429
  8. Filed Oct 30, 1998Iron Mount, MIManual transmission

    5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHIICLE TO SHAKE, CLUTH CHATTER WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR CANNOT BE PUT INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY STOPPED. *ET

    NHTSA complaint 781428
  9. Filed Oct 30, 1998Iron Mount, MIService brakes, Caliper

    CALIPER PINS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BENT & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DURING A BRAKE PAD CHANGE. *ET

    NHTSA complaint 781427
  10. Filed Oct 30, 1998Iron Mount, MIEngine, Manual transmission, Service brakes, Caliper

    WELDS BETWEEN HEATING CORE AND HOSE ATTACHINGTUBING FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE.ALSO, FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PINS WERE BENT/WHEN VEHICLE PUT INTO REVERSE,IT SHAKES/POWER STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET BECAME LOOSE, AND FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH.

    NHTSA complaint 781426
  11. Filed Oct 30, 1998Iron Mount, MISwitch

    HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE; GETS EXTREMELY HOT, AND SMELLS HORRIBLE (HOT ELECTRICAL SMELL), MELTED PLASTIC CONNECTOR FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH, CAUSING PARKING & DASH LIGHTS NOT TO FUNCTION WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON (HAZARD).

    NHTSA complaint 781424
  12. Filed Dec 12, 1996Failure Nov 1, 1996Pittsburg, PASteering wheel/handle bar

    STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE DUE THE FACT THAT BOLTS CAME LOOSE, IN FOR REPAIR, DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE BOLTS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 806227
  13. Filed Feb 14, 1996Failure Feb 1, 1996Detroit, MIFrame and members

    RUSTED K-MEMBER WHICH MOUNTS LOWER CONTROL ARM AND STEERING RACK AND PINION. TT

    NHTSA complaint 979234
  14. Filed Sep 26, 1995Failure Aug 7, 1995Pullman, WAFuel system, GasolineFire

    CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT

    NHTSA complaint 972454
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

4 NHTSA investigations on file

  • EA91010 Engineering analysis, Powertrain
    TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
    Opened Dec 10, 1990, closed Dec 31, 1991
  • C88001 Investigation, Seats
    SEAT ATTACHMENT FAILURE
    Opened May 18, 1988, closed Oct 30, 1989
  • EA88008 Engineering analysis, Seats
    SEAT ATTACHMENT
    Opened Nov 17, 1987, closed May 18, 1988 · led to a recall
  • PE87045 Preliminary evaluation, Seats
    SEAT FAILURES
    Opened Aug 7, 1987, closed Nov 17, 1987
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