1986 Ford Explorer Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1986 Ford Explorer.

19851987
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 1986 Ford Explorer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#11 complaints

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch

#21 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor

#31 complaints

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Considering a 1986 Ford Explorer?

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Ford Explorer.

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Ford Explorer Years

1984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

1986 Ford Explorer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1986 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Ford Explorer has 3 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch with 1 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch (1 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor (1 complaints); Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
Does the 1986 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Ford Explorer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 1986 Ford Explorer

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