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Volkswagen VanagonModel year report

1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
175,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
15 mpgcombined, 2.1L 4-cyl RWD · 15 city / 17 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon. The part named most often is equipment, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and engine cooling (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 175,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the air conditioner filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the fuel pump filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

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. . . The recall work was performed by the dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10020512, filed 2003-07, 175,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #807697, filed 1997-01

Seat belts: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #888762, filed 2001-05

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 175,000 and 175,000 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: 175,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

19952199719981999200120022003
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 Volkswagen Vanagon 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
Vanagon Syncro 4WD2.1L 4-cyl5-speed manual141414$4,800
Vanagon/Camper 2WD2.1L 4-cyl4-speed manual151715$4,450
Vanagon/Camper 2WD2.1L 4-cyl3-speed automatic131514$4,800

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 Volkswagen Vanagon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon.

Other model years of the Volkswagen Vanagon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19919135,2802—17—Not enough data
199013—2—17—Not enough data
19871368,0007—15—Not enough data
19868175,0004—15—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Vanagon model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon is reported most often?

Equipment is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.

Has the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon get?

The EPA rates the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon (Vanagon/Camper 2WD, 2.1L 4-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 175,000 miles and the middle half falls between 175,000 and 175,000 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 29, 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.