FaultScore report
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 1986 Dodge Lancer with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
31
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
170,401 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 170,401 miles
Median failure at 170,401 miles
Median failure at 170,401 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 170,401 miles
Median failure at 170,401 miles
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
SEAT ATTACHMENT FAILURE
SEAT ATTACHMENT
MANUFACTURER INFORMATION: CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED ONE SERVICE BULLETIN, HON-ORED 4,028 WARRANTY CLAIMS, SOLD 2,700 SEATS, AND 2,491 ADJUSTMENT REIN-FORCEMENTS. THE SUBJECT DEFECT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE GM J-BODY RE-CALL (87V-079) OF MAY 1987 IN WHICH 1,136,407 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. INTHAT RECALL THERE WERE 159 COMPLAINTS, 17 ALLEGED ACCIDENTS, AND 26 RE-PORTED INJURIES FOR ABOUT SIX TIMES AS MANY CARS. CHRYSLER HAS PROPOSEDA SERVICE RECALL FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THEY BELIEVE THAT SINCE INI-TIALLY ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR BOLTS BREAK, AT THAT TIME THE SEAT ROCKINGMOTION IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLE...
SEAT FAILURES
MANUFACTURER INFORMATION: CHRYSLER HAS ISSUED ONE SERVICE BULLETIN, HON-ORED 4,028 WARRANTY CLAIMS, SOLD 2,700 SEATS, AND 2,491 ADJUSTMENT REIN-FORCEMENTS. THE SUBJECT DEFECT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE GM J-BODY RE-CALL (87V-079) OF MAY 1987 IN WHICH 1,136,407 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. INTHAT RECALL THERE WERE 159 COMPLAINTS, 17 ALLEGED ACCIDENTS, AND 26 RE-PORTED INJURIES FOR ABOUT SIX TIMES AS MANY CARS. CHRYSLER HAS PROPOSEDA SERVICE RECALL FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THEY BELIEVE THAT SINCE INI-TIALLY ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR BOLTS BREAK, AT THAT TIME THE SEAT ROCKINGMOTION IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLE...
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
On certain vehicles with 2.2 Litre turbo-charged multi-port fuel injection engines, there is a possibility that fuel leakage may occur during low ambient temperature operation at the fuel hose used to interconnect the fuel pressure regulator and the injector rail. Fuel leakage would create the potential for an engine compartment fire. Correction: the pressure regulator will be relocated and the fuel supply hose will replaced with a formed hose having a revised routing configuration.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. PLUGGED CHOKE VACUUM DELAY VALVE. NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2 LITRE CARBURETED ENGINES.
Structure
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE GAS VENTS ON THESE BATTERIES MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY PLASTIC FLASHING WHICH COULD CAUSE A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN RUPTURE OF THE BATTERY CASE. THIS COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO PERSONS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE BATTERY OR UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE SERVICING. FOUR DOOR ARIES AND RELIANT MODELS ONLY.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
NHTSA complaint #972454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10165872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10165872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10165872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1986 DODGE LANCER ALTERNATOR, TIRE, AND BATTERY PROBLEMS. *CB THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10165872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DT*: 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.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10163344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DT*: 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.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10163344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: 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.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10163344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DT*: 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.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10163344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: 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.*AK UPDATED 10/6/2006 - AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WONT STAY UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10163344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHIICLE TO SHAKE, CLUTH CHATTER WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR CANNOT BE PUT INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #781428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHIICLE TO SHAKE, CLUTH CHATTER WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR CANNOT BE PUT INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #781428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BROKE CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK & FORTH WHILE SWITCHED BETWEEN REVERSE & DRIVE, ENGINE SHOOK SEVERELY & BANGED UNDER SIDE OF HOOK WHEN IN REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #781430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CALIPER PINS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BENT & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DURING A BRAKE PAD CHANGE.
NHTSA complaint #781427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
POWER STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET CONNECTION AT THE ENGINE BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #781429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK THICK SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST UNIT. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP.
NHTSA complaint #829631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK THICK SMOKE BLOWING OUT OF THE EXHAUST UNIT. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP.
NHTSA complaint #829631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE SPRAYED ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, FIREWALL AND HOOD PAD. NLM
NHTSA complaint #547553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. FLUID RETURN VALVE IN MASTER CYLINDER PLUGGED. REPLACED PADS, ROTORS, MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA complaint #702297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
HEATER CORE AND HOSE ATTACHING TUBING FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE/CAUSED WINDOWS TO FOG DURING COLD/COOL WEATHER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. CALIPER PINS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BENT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, CAR SHAKES/CHATTERS/HARD TO CONTROL, AND BACK DIFFICULTIES WHEN MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL CAR HAS NERARLY STOPPED. DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION/HIGH IDLE, IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT VEHICLE INT FIRST GEAR. POWER STEER MOUNTING BRACKET CONNECTION AT THE ENGINE BECOMES EXTREMELY LOOSE, AND ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN SWITCHED BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #781426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HEATER CORE AND HOSE ATTACHING TUBING FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE/CAUSED WINDOWS TO FOG DURING COLD/COOL WEATHER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. CALIPER PINS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BENT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, CAR SHAKES/CHATTERS/HARD TO CONTROL, AND BACK DIFFICULTIES WHEN MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL CAR HAS NERARLY STOPPED. DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION/HIGH IDLE, IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT VEHICLE INT FIRST GEAR. POWER STEER MOUNTING BRACKET CONNECTION AT THE ENGINE BECOMES EXTREMELY LOOSE, AND ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN SWITCHED BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #781426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEATER CORE AND HOSE ATTACHING TUBING FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE/CAUSED WINDOWS TO FOG DURING COLD/COOL WEATHER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. CALIPER PINS ON BOTH SIDES WERE BENT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE, CAR SHAKES/CHATTERS/HARD TO CONTROL, AND BACK DIFFICULTIES WHEN MOVING THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL CAR HAS NERARLY STOPPED. DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION/HIGH IDLE, IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT VEHICLE INT FIRST GEAR. POWER STEER MOUNTING BRACKET CONNECTION AT THE ENGINE BECOMES EXTREMELY LOOSE, AND ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN SWITCHED BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #781426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE; GETS EXTREMELY HOT, AND SMELLS HORRIBLE (HOT ELECTRICAL SMELL), MELTED PLASTIC CONNECTOR FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH, CAUSING PARKING & DASH LIGHTS NOT TO FUNCTION WHEN SWITCH IS TURNED ON (HAZARD).
NHTSA complaint #781424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.