1986 Dodge Caravan recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
What could happen: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POS…
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E033000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: 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 WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. 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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
What could happen: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95I001004.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
Summary: 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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.
Notes: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE A STRONGER LATCH WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-MINIVAN (1-800-646-4826).
3. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. 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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
What could happen: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95I001008.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
Summary: 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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
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.
Notes: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. HOWEVER, CHRYSLER HAS DECIDED TO PROVIDE A STRONGER LATCH WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-MINIVAN (1-800-646-4826).
4. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: REPLACE INCORRECT SEAT RISERS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 CARAVAN.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V010000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: REPLACE INCORRECT SEAT RISERS.
Notes: SYSTEM: REAR SEATS/FMVSS 207. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS EQUIPPED WITH 7 OR 8 PASSENGER SEATING.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1986 Dodge Caravan owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (14), Latches / locks (12), Engine (5), Seat belts (5), Wheels / tires (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/11/2001 · Wheels / tires
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, HE NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. *AK THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS FIRESTONE DAYTON THOROBRED STEEL P235/75 R15 M/S.*JB
07/14/2000 · Body / structure
WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
04/17/2000 · Fuel system
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 TH…
04/17/2000 · Fuel system
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 TH…
03/27/2000 · Fuel system
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
12/19/1999 · Brakes
REAR FISHTALES WHEN BRAKES ARE MODERATELY APPLIED.LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS IMMINENT IN WET WEATHER.
08/24/1999 · Engine
PLASTIC CAN'T BE USED FOR RADIATORS!
11/06/1998 · Engine
EGR VALVE KEEPS MELTING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. REPAIRS WERE MADE AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED IT COULD BE FUEL LAYING IN THE SYSTEM, PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK