1986 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 37 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.4% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 11 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 4 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 4 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 11; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 4; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 4; Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 31; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480481 · 1995-01-12 (January 12, 1995)
REAR HATCH HYDRAULIC SUPPORTS FAIL IN COLD WEATHER, ALLOWING REAR HATCH TO DROP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482171 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)
REAR HATCH LATCH FAILED, CAUSING REAR HATCH TO OPEN, RESULTING IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL EFFECTS BEING TOSSED OUT ONTO ROAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482277 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENLY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489499 · 1995-04-21 (April 21, 1995)
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489994 · 1995-05-09 (May 9, 1995)
REAR MIDDLE LAP BELT FAILED, CAUSING INJURY DURING ACCIDENT, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721560 · 2000-04-17 (April 17, 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 A FATAL SITUATION- PERSON FILLING THIS FORM OUR IS J.P. SARVER- CHIEF OF POLICE- HASTINGS POLICE DEPT. [phone removed], WHO IS ALSO AN ACCIDENT SCENE RECONSTRUCTIONISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721560 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859244 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
CORROSION WITHIN THE ENGINE AT THE FIREWALL, CAUSING GROUND STRAPS TO SEPARATE, AND RESULTING IN FUEL SPRAYING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, GAS WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865416 · 2000-07-14 (July 14, 2000)
WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865416 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V010000 · Seats
Reported: 1986-01-23 (January 23, 1986)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗