Complaints
55
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
7
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
Crash-related:3
#24 complaints
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
Crash-related:1
#34 complaints
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 11 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1986 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Dodge Caravan has 55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock (11 complaints); Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate (4 complaints); Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Dodge Caravan include 6 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Dodge Caravan as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Dodge Caravan?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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