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1986 Volkswagen Vanagon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Equipment complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
175,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Equipment

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 INDEP…

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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 ODI #10020512

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2002
Equipment

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AIR CONDITIONER VENT FAILED ON DRIVER'S HEAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003974

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1995
Equipment

ONCE CAMPER POPS UP OUT OF LEDGE AND CONSUMER LAYED ON IT THEN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET DOWN THE BED COLLAPSED. TT

NHTSA ODI #969831

Official recalls

4

93V175000 · 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.

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

4

PE93043 · 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