1986 Dodge Caravan problems & reliability
49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge Caravan. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (7 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure → | 14 | 29% |
| Latches/locks/linkages → | 12 | 24% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 10% |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Power Train | 1 | 2% |
| Seats | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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”
Tires · filed Jul 11, 2001
“While trunk lid was opened without any indication trunk lid dropped, causing injury to consumer. Pleased provide further information.*ak”
Structure · filed Jul 14, 2000
“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…”
Tires · filed Apr 27, 2000
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- LIFTGATE LATCHES
Engineering Analysis EA94005 · opened Jan 31, 1994 · closed Oct 25, 1995
- TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91010 · opened Dec 10, 1990 · closed Dec 31, 1991
- SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS
Engineering Analysis EA90030 · opened May 31, 1990 · closed Sep 24, 1990
- REAR SEAT STRUCTURE FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE90079 · opened May 7, 1990 · closed Oct 2, 1990
- UNDERDASH FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA90011 · opened Feb 23, 1990 · closed Feb 28, 1991
- SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE90030 · opened Jan 9, 1990 · closed May 31, 1990
- UNDERDASH FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE89170 · opened Sep 26, 1989 · closed Feb 23, 1990
- BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT
Preliminary Evaluation PE88095 · opened Aug 22, 1988 · closed Feb 15, 1989
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1986 Dodge Caravan in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1986 Dodge Caravan?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.