1986 Dodge LANCER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
170,401 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Interior Lighting: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10163344 · 2006-07-24 (July 24, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT A USED VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND HAS HAD MANY IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING AND THE FRONT LEFT ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WERE PERFORMED; TUNE UP, OIL CHANGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT ALIGNMENT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HAS PERSISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE OF JULY 15TH OF 2006.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,401 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165872 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10165872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972454 · 1995-09-26 (September 26, 1995)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979234 · 1996-02-14 (February 14, 1996)
RUSTED K-MEMBER WHICH MOUNTS LOWER CONTROL ARM AND STEERING RACK AND PINION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979234 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V053000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 1986-04-10 (April 10, 1986)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 1988-07-01 (July 1, 1988)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗