1986 Volkswagen VANAGON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
175,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 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). 4 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10020512 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF RECALL #93-V-175-000 WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT WHICH COULD CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK. . *NLM *TS. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. WHILE MAJOR SERVICE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THE DUCT PLASTIC ABOVE THE ADDED REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE ENTIRE AIR DUCT HOUSING WAS IN DANGER OF BREAKING AWAY AND CRASHING DOWN ON THE CENTER OF THE REAR SEATS,…
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003974 · 2002-02-12 (February 12, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR CONDITIONER VENT FAILED ON DRIVER'S HEAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888762 · 2001-05-21 (May 21, 2001)
SHOULDER BELT BUCKLE ATTACHMENTS IN LAST ROW OF SEATS FAIL TO RELEASE BELT, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO EXIT VEHICLE FREELY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963597 · 1995-04-10 (April 10, 1995)
FUEL TANK FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK/STALL PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (87V-052). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969831 · 1995-08-02 (August 2, 1995)
ONCE CAMPER POPS UP OUT OF LEDGE AND CONSUMER LAYED ON IT THEN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET DOWN THE BED COLLAPSED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969831 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V051000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1987-04-14 (April 14, 1987)
FUEL TANK FILLER NECK PIPE MAY NOT SEAT PROPERLY IN THE FUEL TANK OPENING. ALSO, THE SENDING UNIT COVER MAY BE DEFORMED.
Consequence: FUEL COULD ESCAPE, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED FILLER NECK PIPE AND REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT GASKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V052000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1987-04-14 (April 14, 1987)
USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.
Consequence: FUEL FLOW COULD BECOME RESTRICTED AND CAUSE THE ENGINETO STALL.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL TANK, CONTAINING A REDESIGNED FUEL FILTER, AS WELL AS MODIFIED CONTROL UNITS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V038000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 1988-03-23 (March 23, 1988)
IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
Consequence: SHOULD SEEPAGE OCCUR, LEAKING FUEL CAN CAUSE A RISK OFFIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy: THE IN LINE FUEL FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V175000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Reported: 1993-10-29 (October 29, 1993)
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT, WHICH IS FASTENED BY TWO MOUNTING SCREWS TO THE CEILING OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAN CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE PLASTIC BREAKS WHERE IT IS HELD AT THE TWOMOUNTING SCREWS, THE CENTER AIR FLOW DUCT CAN SEPARATE FROM ITS SUPPORTS ANDCAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗