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Dodge LancerModel year report

1986 Dodge Lancer Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
170,401miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Dodge Lancer (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Dodge Lancer. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and electrical system (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 170,401 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “The contact stated that a used vehicle was recently purchased and has had many immediate problems. There are problems with vehicle stalling and the front left alignment. The vehicle was towed to dealer where the following services were performed; tune up, oil change and a new battery was replaced. The front alignment has not been repaired and problems with the vehicle has persisted since the vehicle purchase date of july 15th of 2006. Updated 10/6/2006 - at times the vehicle would not start. The driver's side window wont stay up. …”

NHTSA complaint #10163344, filed 2006-07, 170,401 miles

Brakes: “Welds between heating core and hose attachingtubing failed, causing coolant to leak into vehicle.also, front brake caliper pins were bent/when vehicle put into reverse,it shakes/power steering mounting bracket became loose, and front engine mount broke, causing engine to rock back and forth.”

NHTSA complaint #781426, filed 1998-10

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 170,401 and 170,401 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 170,401 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199519961998619992006
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1986 Dodge Lancer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Lancer FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual223226$2,600
Lancer FWD2.2L 4-cyl3-speed automatic212422$3,050
Lancer FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual172620$4,100
Lancer FWD2.2L 4-cyl3-speed automatic182219$4,350
Lancer FWD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual212924$2,800
Lancer FWD2.5L 4-cyl3-speed automatic202321$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1986 Dodge Lancer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Dodge Lancer.

Other model years of the Dodge Lancer

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19878—2—21—Not enough data
198614170,4012—22—Not enough data

All Dodge Lancer model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Dodge Lancer have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Dodge Lancer as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1986 Dodge Lancer is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 1986 Dodge Lancer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Dodge Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 1986 Dodge Lancer (Lancer, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 21 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Dodge Lancer reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 170,401 miles and the middle half falls between 170,401 and 170,401 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.