VehicleVerdict

1986 Flxible METRO problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1986 Flxible METRO — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other METRO years?

METRO NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted5 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 1 complaints
METRO NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all METRO years to avoid →

Does the 1986 Flxible METRO have recalls?

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

95V235000Visibility & WipersDecember 14, 1995 · 741 units

Defect

THESE BUSES HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED. NO OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED BY WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD CAUSE A VISIBILITY PROBLEM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TO ACTIVATE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED.

89V040000Body & StructureMarch 22, 1989 · 4,758 units

Defect

THE ENTRANCE DOOR EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM MAY EXCEED THE 20 LB. FORCE ALLOWED BY FMVSS 217.

Consequence

BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.

Remedy

REPAIR RELEASE CABLE MECHANISM TO COMPLY WITH STANDARD.

88V079000LightingMay 11, 1988 · 726 units

Defect

DUE TO INCREASED BULB LOAD ON THE FLASHER, WHEN OPERATED IN HAZARD MODE, FLASHER DID NOT MEET PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108.

Consequence

BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.

Remedy

INSTALL A COMBINATION TURN HAZARD FLASHER THAT COMPLIES WITH STANDARD.

87V068000SteeringMay 13, 1987 · 3,122 units

Defect

STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT MAY BE TOO LONG ALLOWING EXCESSIVE THRUST LOAD TO BE APPLIED TO UPPER HOUSING BEARINGS AND STEERING TRANSFER BOX BEARINGS.

Consequence

BEARINGS COULD FAIL OR SEIZE, RESULTING IN LOSS OFSTEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH ONE OF PROPER LENGTH.

87V066000SteeringMay 13, 1987 · 3,075 units

Defect

AN INCORRECT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO RETAIN THE TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT BUSHINGS.

Consequence

BOLT MAY NOT MAINTAIN SPECIFIED TORQUE AND COULD BREAKOR WORK LOOSE AND FALL OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

INSTALL PROPER SAE GRADE 5 BOLT.

87V067000LightingMay 13, 1987 · 290 units

Defect

THE FLASHING MODE OF THE DECELERATION LIGHT SYSTEM IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 108.

Consequence

FLASHING DECELERATION LIGHTS MAY BE CONFUSING TO OTHERDRIVERS; BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.

Remedy

MODIFY DECELERATION LIGHTS TO REMOVE THE FLASHING MODE.

86V171000SteeringDecember 23, 1986 · 1,102 units

Defect

INCORRECT LOCK WASHERS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT BUSHING BOLTS AND THE COLUMN HOUSING PIVOT MAY BE MISALIGNED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: PIVOT BOLT COULD LOOSEN AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

INSTALL PROPER LOCK WASHER AND CORRECT MISALIGNMENT OF COLUMN HOUSING PIVOT.

86V158000OtherDecember 1, 1986 · 125 units

Defect

ONLY TWO EMERGENCY WINDOW EXISTS WERE IDENTIFIED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUS, INSTEAD OF THREE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 217. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217.

Remedy

EMERGENCY EXIT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED TO THE THIRD WINDOW ON THE LEFT SIDE TO IDENTIFY THIS WINDOW POSITION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.

1986 Flxible METRO — common questions

Is the 1986 Flxible METRO reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1986 Flxible METRO have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Flxible METRO. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Flxible METRO under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.