RoadVitals

1986 Volkswagen Vanagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 11, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Oct 29, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon, most frequently naming the fuel system, heating & air conditioning and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system337.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning225.0%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Other / unspecified112.5%
  • Seat belts112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V175000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Oct 29, 1993
29,500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AT THE CONNECTIONS OF BOTH THE CENTER AND REAR AIR FLOW DUCTS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
88V038000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mar 23, 1988
12,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
The risk: SHOULD SEEPAGE OCCUR, LEAKING FUEL CAN CAUSE A RISK OFFIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
The remedy: THE IN LINE FUEL FILTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A STRAIGHT FUEL HOSE.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov
87V052000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Apr 14, 1987
15,500 units potentially affected
The defect: USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.
The risk: FUEL FLOW COULD BECOME RESTRICTED AND CAUSE THE ENGINETO STALL.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW FUEL TANK, CONTAINING A REDESIGNED FUEL FILTER, AS WELL AS MODIFIED CONTROL UNITS.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION

Opened May 5, 1993
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 93V175000
EA91026ClosedEngineering Analysis

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE

Opened Jun 4, 1991
Closed Jan 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE91050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE

Opened Feb 21, 1991
Closed Jun 4, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE90024ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNT

Opened Dec 4, 1989
Closed Feb 20, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Heating & air conditioning
Filed Jul 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, THE PRIOR RECALL WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED SEEMED TO BE ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. *JB

NHTSA ID
10020512
Incident
May 23, 2003
Mileage
175,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Feb 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

NHTSA ID
8003974
Seat belts
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
888762
Incident
May 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 30, 1999
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE POSSIBLE DUE TO FUEL LEAK IN A RUBBER HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL RAIL TO THE INJECTORS.

NHTSA ID
605943
Fuel system
Filed Dec 28, 1998
Fire reported

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

NHTSA ID
701655
Incident
Dec 27, 1998
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 1997
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STOPPED ON ITS OWN, TRIED TO RESTART, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM REAR, MOMENTARILY FLAMES WERE EMERGING FROM BACK OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE LITERALLY EXPLODED, FIRE DEPT RESPONDED, VEHICLE TOTALED, CAUSE UNKOWN, AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
807697
Incident
Jan 10, 1997
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 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

NHTSA ID
969831
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 1995

FUEL TANK FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK/STALL PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (87V-052). *AK

NHTSA ID
963597
Incident
Apr 10, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0101

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Vanagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—
1991922—
1990132245.6
1989022—
1988343—
1987137366.3
1986Viewing844—
1985113—
1984202—
1983001—
1982011—
1981221—
1980030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.