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

1986 Dodge Daytona: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Dodge Daytona, most recently filed July 1988. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system.

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 (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Dodge Daytona. 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 Daytona. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 88V105000 Filed Jul 1, 1988

FUEL:FUEL SYSTEMS

Fuel system, gasoline
Official NHTSA text
Summary
FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
Consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
Repair progress not yet reported580,000 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 88V105000
Listed for 1986 Dodge Daytona. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 86V053000 Filed Apr 10, 1986

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

Electrical system · 12v/24v/48v battery
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.
Remedy
REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.
Repair progress not yet reported32,149 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 86V053000

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 (4)

4 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
3involved a fire
0injuries 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 Daytona, by component (top 3). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 4.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1986 compares with other Daytona years

Best and worst Daytona years →
2 4 4 8 11 34 26 13 17 15
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.

Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined

26
mpg combined
22
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,600
CO₂ tailpipe
342 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year

Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1986 Dodge Daytona configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26$2,600342
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2.2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 24 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 21$3,200423
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20$4,100444
2.2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$4,350468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

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

Looking at a 1986 Daytona 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 Daytona years

Where to next

1986 Dodge Daytona FAQ

How many recalls does the 1986 Dodge Daytona have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 88V105000 (fuel system), 86V053000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1986 Dodge Daytona problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (2), Electrical system (1), Latches/locks/linkages (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1986 Dodge Daytona get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 22 city, 32 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1986 Daytona compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1993 Dodge Daytona model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1989 the most (34). The 1986 drew 4. 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.
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