Model year guide

1986 Chrysler Laser

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Chrysler Laser is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1986 Chrysler Laser at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints3
Combined19–26 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1986 Chrysler Laser recalls 3

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #88V105000 · 01/07/1988

FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.

Fix: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery NHTSA Campaign #86V053000 · 10/04/1986

BATTERY CAP VENTS MAY BE PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH PLASTIC FLASHING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BUILD UP OF INTERNAL GAS PRESSURE COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN CASE RUPTURE, PARTICULARLY DURING POST CHARGING. SHOULD A PERSON BE IN THE VICINITY OF THE BATTERY WHEN THE CASE RUPTURES, THEY MAY BE INJURED BY THE RELEASED GASES AND/OR ACID.

Fix: REWORK BATTERIES BY PROBING BOTH VENT ORIFICES TO ELIMINATE ANY VENT OBSTRUCTION.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 16 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1986 Chrysler Laser common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1986 Chrysler Laser MPG & running costs

Combined19–26 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,350
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume83 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1986 Chrysler Laser costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,750
Fuel only$16,750
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1986 Chrysler Laser vehicles on record

Other Chrysler Laser model years

1986 Chrysler Laser — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Chrysler Laser have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1986 Chrysler Laser. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Chrysler Laser?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seats, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Chrysler Laser get?

The 1986 Chrysler Laser has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.