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1986 Dodge Caravan LE

The 1986 Dodge Caravan LE is a 96-hp 2.2-liter inline-4 with a 3-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $11,121 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 96 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Caravan measures 175.0 inches long on a 112.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,071 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$11,121 ($32,977 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.2L K I4
Displacement2.2 L
Horsepower96 hp
Torque119 lb-ft
ValvetrainSOHC, 8-valve (2 valves/cylinder)
Injection Type2-barrel carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic (TorqueFlite A413)
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity20 gal
Dimensions & Weight
Length175 in
Width69 in
Height64 in
Wheelbase112 in
Curb Weight3,071 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear38 in
Legroom Front38 in
Legroom Rear37 in
Shoulder Room Front58 in
Shoulder Room Rear61 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge CARAVAN. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 14, 2008 · SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA campaign 08E033000

Mar 27, 1995 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

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.

NHTSA campaign 95I001004

Mar 27, 1995 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

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.

NHTSA campaign 95I001008

Jan 23, 1986 · SEATS

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 86V010000

49 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge CARAVAN

Owner Complaints

49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Dodge CARAVAN (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure14
Latches/Locks/Linkages12
Engine And Engine Cooling5
Seat Belts5
Electrical System2
Equipment2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 11, 2001 · 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…”
Jul 14, 2000 · Structure 1 injury
“WHILE TRUNK LID WAS OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TRUNK LID DROPPED, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. PLEASED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Apr 17, 2000 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Tires
“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…”
Mar 27, 2000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“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…”
Dec 19, 1999 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“REAR FISHTALES WHEN BRAKES ARE MODERATELY APPLIED.LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS IMMINENT IN WET WEATHER.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1986 DODGE CARAVAN. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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