IllustrationTHE FRONT TIRES WORE 5 TO 10 TIMES FASTER THAN THE REAR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING ON A LOOSE SANDY SURFACE AT LOW SPEED, THE FRONT TIRES WERE SLIDING MORE THAN ROTATING. I THINK THE STEERING ARMS ARE OF THE WRONG PART NUMBER AND HAVE INCORRECT GEOMETRY (TOE OUT IN TURNS).
1986 Dodge W250
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →1Owner complaints
Model-year median: 1
0Recall campaignsView recall details →
2InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1986 Dodge W250
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 1 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 2 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Steering: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
No recall campaigns in this snapshot.
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all W250 years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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 1 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.
- Steering. 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Steering complaints
1 reportsRecall campaigns
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
2PE89110 · Fuel Tank Strap Failure
Opened Apr 5, 1989 · Closed Jun 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY:TWO FLEETS REPORT 32 INCIDENTS OF FUEL TANK STRAP FAILURE ONVEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL 30 GALLON TANK.===
PE87042 · Exhaust System Heat
Opened Aug 7, 1987 · Closed Nov 9, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:HIGH UNDERHOOD AND EXHAUSTTEMPERATURES ARE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CONCERN INVOLVING A VERY LIMITEDNUMBER OF VEHICLES OPERATED BY A FEW SEVERE SERVICE FLEET LOCATIONS.WEARE NOT AWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR FIRES CAUSED BY THE CONDITION, AND WE DONOT CONSIDER IT TO PRESENT A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ANALYSIS:EPA REQUIREMENTS FOR HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES CAUSED EMISSION SYSTEMCHANGES FOR THE 1985 AND 1987 CALENDAR YEARS.BEGINNING IN 1985 DUAL AIRPUMPS REPLACED THE SINGLE UNIT, AND DUAL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE ADDED IN1987.THE CHANGES INCREASED UNDERHOOD AND EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURES.CONCERNS INCLUDE DRIVEABILITY AND VAPOR LOCK PROBLEMS DUE TO HOT FUELHANDLING AND HEAT DAMAGE TO THE 4 WD DISCONNECT VACUUM RESERVOIR, EXHAUSTSYSTEM HANGERS, SPEEDOMETER CABLE, AND WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE.CURRENTLYMEANS TO REDUCE AND BETTER MANAGE THE TEMPERATURES ARE BEING STUDIED.CONSIDERATIONS ARE: AIR PUMP DIVERTER SYSTEMS, HEAT SHIELD FOR AFFECTEDUNDER BODY COMPONENTS, AND REROUTING FUEL SUPPLY LINES AWAY FROM HEATSOURCES.ADDITIONALLY FIVE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUEDREGARDING VAPOR LOCK ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.PROPOSED ACTION:CLOSE THIS PE.NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS BEENDETECTED.===
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.