Model year guide

1986 Suzuki Samurai

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Suzuki Samurai is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

1986 Suzuki Samurai — representative photo
Representative photo

1986 Suzuki Samurai at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints5
Combined25 mpg

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

1986 Suzuki Samurai recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1986 Suzuki Samurai.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 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 Suzuki Samurai common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1986 Suzuki Samurai MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,700
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionManual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$1,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,500
Fuel only$13,500
Per mile$0.18

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
135.0–157.9 in
Width
57.5 in
Height
66.1–72.0 in
Wheelbase
79.9–93.7 in
Curb weight
1,984–2,083 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1986 Suzuki Samurai — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

RECONSIDER SAMURAI PETITION Closed

RECONSIDER SAMURAI PETITION

NHTSA #DP89003 · Suspension · opened Dec 1988 · closed Feb 1989

VEHICLE STABILITY Closed

VEHICLE STABILITY

NHTSA #DP88019 · Suspension · opened Aug 1988 · closed Sep 1988

ROLLOVER Closed

ROLLOVER

NHTSA #DP88011 · Suspension · opened Feb 1988 · closed Sep 1988

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 2

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki automobile distributors in the U.S., explaining the importance of proper inspection and maintenance of suspension lower arm ball joints to prevent the ball stud from becoming s…

Bulletin N-Q-G-045 · Suspension, Equipment · Nov 2018

CORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

Bulletin 0104145 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SAMURAI. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Suzuki Samurai

The Suzuki Jimny is a series of four-wheel drive off-road mini SUVs manufactured and marketed by Japanese automaker Suzuki since 1970.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1986 Suzuki Samurai vehicles on record

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Other Suzuki Samurai model years

2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1985 1984 1982

1986 Suzuki Samurai — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Suzuki Samurai have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1986 Suzuki Samurai. 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 Suzuki Samurai?

Across all 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine and engine cooling, structure.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Suzuki Samurai get?

The 1986 Suzuki Samurai has a U.S. EPA estimate of 25 mpg combined (23 city / 27 highway).

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