Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Equipment3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Seat belts1
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon failed the safety check 2.01% of the time — 163% more often than the average 1986 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 144,552 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon.
| 1988062 27 Apr 1988 | Fuel System THE ADDITIONAL IN-LINE FUEL FILTER BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP MAY EXPERIENCE FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE SEAM OF THE CASING. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION… |
| 1987042 29 Apr 1987 | Fuel System On certain Vanagon Synchro, out of round fuel filler neck pipe may not seat properly in fuel tank opening. This could result in fuel seepage. Also, fuel tank se… |
| 1987043 29 Apr 1987 | Fuel System On certain Vanagon and Vanagon Synchro, vapors could form in the fuel system during high ambient temperature and become trapped in a fuel filter which is perman… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
IN LINE FUEL FILTER LOCATED BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP COULD SEEP FUEL AT THE SEAM OF THE PLASTIC CASING.
USAGE OF FUEL WITH REID PRESSURE UP TO 14 PSI COULD, UNDER HIGH ENGINE LOAD AND HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, LEAD TO STALLING.
FUEL TANK FILLER NECK PIPE MAY NOT SEAT PROPERLY IN THE FUEL TANK OPENING. ALSO, THE SENDING UNIT COVER MAY BE DEFORMED.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621613 | SUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING / RETROFITTING. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATION
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILURE
FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation