VehicleVerdict

1986 Dodge Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1986 Dodge Caravan is among the quieter years of the Caravan on NHTSA's books: 55 complaints (76% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (26% of the total).

55

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

8

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Caravan years?

Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted2,178 complaints1984: 26 complaints1985: 85 complaints1986: 55 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 135 complaints1989: 236 complaints1990: 341 complaints1991: 773 complaints1992: 1,126 complaints1993: 1,229 complaints1994: 836 complaints1995: 656 complaints1996: 2,178 complaints1997: 1,028 complaints1998: 840 complaints1999: 745 complaints2000: 613 complaints2001: 341 complaints2002: 326 complaints2003: 252 complaints2004: 83 complaints2005: 691 complaints2006: 231 complaints2007: 115 complaints2008: 421 complaints2009: 175 complaints2010: 257 complaints2011: 112 complaints2012: 116 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 27 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 4 complaints
Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Dodge Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1425%
Latches & Locks1222%
Engine611%
Seat Belts59%
Fuel System47%
Tires & Wheels35%
Other24%
Electrical System24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%
Suspension12%
Transmission12%
Brakes12%

Does the 1986 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

95I001004Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 411,678 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

95I001008Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,262,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

86V010000SeatsJanuary 23, 1986 · 275 units

Defect

FIRST REAR SEATS WERE INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT LEFT SIDE SEAT RISER WHICH CAUSES FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE SEAT AND SEAT BELT LOADING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, SEATING SYSTEMS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE SEATS MAY BECOME DETACHED, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO ITS OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE INCORRECT SEAT RISERS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“WHILE DRIVING, WHEN HIT BUMP, TAILGATE DISENGAGES AND SOMETIMES FLY UP, DEALER'S REPLACED BOLTS WHICH TEND TO LOOSEN AND HAS CAUSED ELECTRIC SHORT IN WIPER SYS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 30, 1998

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 15, 1990

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

1986 Dodge Caravan — common questions

Is the 1986 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 55 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Caravan year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1986 Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (14 complaints), latches & locks (12 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 1986 Dodge Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Dodge Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Dodge Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caravan years to avoid are 1996, 1993, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1994, 1991, 1999, 2005, 1995, 2000, 2008. The cleanest record among Caravan years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.