MYRModel Year Report

1986 Dodge Caravan

▲ Better than typical
1986 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:22.732Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
49
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 18 complaints 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 49 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints
1984: 18 complaints 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 49 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1990 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1993 1994: 661 complaints 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2005: 537 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2011 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2017 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1986: 49 complaints 1986 49 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1988 1989: 194 complaints 1990: 283 complaints 1990 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1992 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1,403 complaints 1996 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1998 1999: 555 complaints 2000: 470 complaints 2000 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2002 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2008 2009: 118 complaints 2010: 172 complaints 2010 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2012 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2016 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2018 2019: 3 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020

1986: 49 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198772
1988107
1989194
1990283
1991623
1992923
1993955
1994661
1995489
19961,403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200465
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

29% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing support device/strut and hatchback/liftgate.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In 7:00 position hit rear hatch gate opened and ejected child through the rear. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-20

Latches/locks/linkages

24% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing lock and latch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle slid on ice, spun around, impact with embankment, rear liftgate flew open at approx. 25MPH. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-03

Vehicle was impact 5:00 position speed 20 MPH, rear hatch latch came open. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-03

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing radiator assembly and gas recirculation valve (egr valve).

INJURY

Seat belts

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and rear/other.

INJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

6% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing filler pipe and cap and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-01-24Seats86V010000 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.

    Remedy: Replace incorrect seat risers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1988-08-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-02-15 Broken drivers seat
  3. I
    1989-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-02-23 Underdash fires
  4. I
    1990-01-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-05-31 Spare tire carrier failure
  5. I
    1990-02-23Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Underdash fires
  6. I
    1990-05-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-10-02 Rear seat structure fails
  7. I
    1990-05-31Engineering analysisClosed 1990-09-24 Spare tire carrier fails
  8. I
    1990-12-10Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Trans park system failure
  9. I
    1994-01-31Engineering analysisClosed 1995-10-25 Liftgate latches
  10. R
    1995-11-03Latches/locks/linkages95I001004 Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans without remote release. This is not a safety recall. There has been no determination that a safety defect exists with the minivan latches.…

    Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners during November 1995.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    1996-07-12Latches/locks/linkages95I001008 Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans with remote release. This is not a safety recall. There has been no determination that a safety defect exists with the minivan latches.…

    Remedy: Chrysler dealers will replace the liftgate latch with a new stronger latch assembly without charge. Chrysler began notifying owners of these vehicles during July 1996.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between November 9, 2007 and March 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged…

    Remedy: Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V010000 · Seats
  • Recall 95I001004 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 95I001008 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Dodge Caravan is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Dodge Caravan?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Dodge Caravan have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.