1986 Volkswagen Vanagon
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Vanagon › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a reinforcement plate at the connections of both the center and rear air flow ducts.
In line fuel filter located between the fuel tank and fuel pump could seep fuel at the seam of the plastic casing.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Fuel tank filler neck pipe may not seat properly in the fuel tank opening. also, the sending unit cover may be deformed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel could escape, creating the potential for a fire.
Remedy
Install a redesigned filler neck pipe and replace the sending unit gasket.
Usage of fuel with reid pressure up to 14 psi could, under high engine load and high ambient temperatures, lead to stalling.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
8 complaints3 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
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…
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
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
While traveling and without any indication air conditioner vent failed on driver's head. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle caught fire possible due to fuel leak in a rubber hose that connects the fuel rail to the injectors.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
No summary provided by consumer
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
Once camper pops up out of ledge and consumer layed on it then when he tried to get down the bed collapsed. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel tank failed, causing vehicle to jerk/stall prior to/after recall repairs (87v-052). *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Overhead a/c separation
There is no summary currently available
- Sliding door latch failure
There is no summary currently available
- Sliding door latch failure
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel leak, evaporative vnt
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 621613Subject regarding latch system lower anchors and tethers for children, installing / retrofitting.
Every Volkswagen Vanagon model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.