Total Complaints
55 filings
DODGE CARAVAN · model year
1986 DODGE CARAVAN
55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986DODGECARAVAN carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 CARAVAN is latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock with 11 filings, followed by structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut (4) and structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1986 CARAVAN, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
55
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 3 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20010711TIRES:TREAD/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
20000714STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20000427TIRES
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
20000427FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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
20000427TIRES
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
20000427FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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
20000327FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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
20000327FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
19991219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
REAR FISHTALES WHEN BRAKES ARE MODERATELY APPLIED.LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS IMMINENT IN WET WEATHER.
19990824ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC CAN'T BE USED FOR RADIATORS!
19990217SUSPENSION:REAR
TRANSAXLE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOCKUP TWICE.
19981106ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS 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
19980805ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.
19980521LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE PROP ROD FOR THE HOOD CAME LOOSE AND FELL ON THE OWNER'S HEAD. MECHANIC SYAS MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. *AK
19980429ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE DIESELS AND RADIATOR BURST.
19980429ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ENGINE DIESELS AND RADIATOR BURST.
19980217STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
DIFFICULTY GETTING REPAIRS DONE, RECALL #6404.
19970409FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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
19961114ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
19961114SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE.
Compare 1986DODGECARAVAN to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 DODGE CARAVAN have?▼
The 1986 DODGE CARAVAN has 55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 DODGE CARAVAN?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 DODGE CARAVAN is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT and STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE.
Is the 1986 DODGE CARAVAN safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.