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 ↗INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS:OTHE
- 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.
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.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 49 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 14 | 28.6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 12 | 24.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 10.2% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 10.2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4.1% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4.1% |
| Tires | 2 | 4.1% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Seats | 1 | 2% |
How 1986 compares with other Caravan years
Best and worst Caravan years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 18 | 3 |
| 1985 | 49 | 3 |
| 1986 | 49 | 1 |
| 1987 | 69 | 0 |
| 1988 | 103 | 2 |
| 1989 | 191 | 2 |
| 1990 | 278 | 3 |
| 1991 | 617 | 9 |
| 1992 | 913 | 9 |
| 1993 | 949 | 8 |
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.

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.
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
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.