IllustrationWHILE 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
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Vanagon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Equipment. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
493V175000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
Oct 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 & remedy
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.
88V038000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Mar 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 & remedy
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.
87V051000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Apr 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 & remedy
Consequence: FUEL COULD ESCAPE, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED FILLER NECK PIPE AND REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT GASKET.
87V052000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Apr 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4PE93043 · Overhead A/c Separation
Opened May 5, 1993 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
EA91026 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1991 · Closed Jan 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91050 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened Feb 21, 1991 · Closed Jun 4, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90024 · Fuel Leak, Evaporative Vnt
Opened Dec 4, 1989 · Closed Feb 20, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available