Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1986 Dodge Caravan: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1986 Dodge Caravan, most recently filed January 1986. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1986 Dodge Caravan. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1986 Dodge Caravan. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 86V010000 Filed Jan 23, 1986

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS:OTHE

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported275 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 86V010000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (49)

49 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
2involved a fire
7injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge Caravan, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 49.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1986 compares with other Caravan years

Best and worst Caravan years →
1984198519861987198819891990199119921993
This year (1986)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1986 Caravan for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Caravan years

Where to next

1986 Dodge Caravan FAQ

How many recalls does the 1986 Dodge Caravan have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 86V010000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1986 Dodge Caravan problems?

Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (14), Latches/locks/linkages (12), Engine and engine cooling (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1986 Caravan compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1993 Dodge Caravan model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (18) and the 1993 the most (949). The 1986 drew 49. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.