AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1985 Dodge Caravan

Van, gasoline, FWD/Front-Wheel Drive, built in Canada. Owner complaints on file from Jan 11, 1995 to Dec 17, 1999.

Recalls (6)Complaints (49)Investigations (7)Bulletins (0)
Recall campaigns covering this model year62.04M vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints4924.5 times the median 1985 van
Severity index22.4Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1985 Dodge Caravan peaked in 1995, with 28 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

01020301995281998200120042007201020132016201920222026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

27% of complaints about the 1985 Dodge Caravan name structure

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Structure
13
Engine and cooling
8
Latches and locks
7
Powertrain
6
Electrical system
5
Brakes
5
Seat belts
5
Suspension
4
Speed control
4
Equipment
3
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

6 recall campaigns cover the 1985 Dodge Caravan

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge Caravan
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
08E-033Apr 14, 2008Part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353Suspension6,903Part replacement
95I-001-008Mar 27, 1995Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans with remote releaseLatches and locks1,262,000Part replacement
95I-001-004Mar 27, 1995Vehicle description: light duty passenger minivans without remote releaseLatches and locks411,678Part replacement
85V-164Dec 11, 1985Vans equipped with the optional sunscreen rear glass which has less than 70 percent luminous transmittance and does not have a passenger side…Visibility and wipers10,800Repair or modification
85V-053May 1, 1985Roadway stones may become lodged in the height sensing brake proportioning valveBrakes264,000Repair or modification
84V-150Nov 26, 1984Metal fuel supply tube may crack at the fuel pump end due to vibrationFuel system82,500Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1985 Dodge Caravan

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

49 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.

  1. Filed Dec 17, 1999Failure Nov 22, 1999Denver, COGasoline

    NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 716152
  2. Filed Aug 16, 1999Failure Jun 13, 1999SAN Diego, CAGasoline, Door

    MY DODGE CARAVAN MINIVAN IS ON HIGH . WHEN I DRIVE IT IT WILL REMAIN ONE SPEED UNTIL I PUT THE BRAKE ON. I KNOW THESE CARS WERE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND OF MY INVESTMENT. THE DOOR PANEL LIGHTS ALSO GET EXTREMELY HOT. THEY HAVE BURNT HOLES IN THEMSELVES AND HOLES ON MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

    NHTSA complaint 710042
  3. Filed Apr 7, 1999Failure May 12, 1995Wyomissing, PAHatchback/liftgate

    HATCHBACK WINDOW IS RUSTING AROUND THE EDGE, AND THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE HATCHBACK WINDOW. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 831706
  4. Filed Sep 23, 1998Failure Sep 13, 1998Coopersville, MILatch

    WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 828153
  5. Filed Jul 13, 1998Failure Jul 4, 1998Dolton, PACarrier/rack

    CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED AND BROKE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 825334
  6. Filed Nov 5, 1997Failure Sep 1, 1997Bothell, WATie rod assembly

    LEFT INNER TIE-ROD END FAILED, CAUSING WHEELS TO COME OFF IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

    NHTSA complaint 524327
  7. Filed Oct 10, 1997Failure Sep 20, 1997Harrison, OHVisibility

    PLASTIC WINDOW LATCH CRACKED/CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH.

    NHTSA complaint 523668
  8. Filed Sep 18, 1997ST. Petersburg, FLGasoline

    VEHICLE RUNNING ON ITS OWN COMPRESSION EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION KEY HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 519123
  9. Filed Aug 25, 1997Failure Feb 1, 1997Madison, OHService brakes, Rotor

    BRAKES PULSATED DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 518474
  10. Filed Feb 20, 1997Failure Feb 10, 1997Mishawaka, INLinkage and cable

    EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE RUSTED.

    NHTSA complaint 514887
  11. Filed Jan 31, 1997Stamford, ILCoil springs, Tires

    WAS DRIVING HOME THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND RUBBED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT . *AK

    NHTSA complaint 808441
  12. Filed Dec 12, 1996Failure Dec 15, 1990Lake IN THE Hills, ILAccelerator pedal

    WHILE ACCELERATING AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY RECEIVED NO ACCELERATION, GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM REAR EXHAUST, DEALER CALLED IT PHANTOM/GHOST PROBLEM, COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE; DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, HAPPENS AT CONTINUED HIGH SPEED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 806265
  13. Filed Sep 4, 1996Failure Jul 1, 1996Baltimore, MDBuckle assembly

    FRONT PASSENGER'S LAP/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTED AND LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT GET CHILD OUT OF THE SEAT, HAD TO CUT SEAT BELT TO GET CHILD OUT. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 801039
  14. Filed Jul 18, 1996Failure Jun 24, 1996Bayville, NYGear position indication (prndl)

    VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN AN IDLE POSITION IN PARK, JUMPED OUT GEAR, ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER YARD, HITTING STEPS. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 986014
  15. Filed Jun 17, 1996Failure Mar 29, 1996West Plain, MOAnchorage

    SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FAILED (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

    NHTSA complaint 505363
  16. Filed Apr 19, 1996Failure Mar 27, 1996Warwick, RIReclinerCrash1 injured

    DRIVER SEATBACK BROKE AFTER BEING HIT FROM BEHIDE WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 983104
  17. Filed Mar 29, 1996Failure Dec 11, 1995West Plain, MOAnchorage

    SEAT BELT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE FLOOR IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH

    NHTSA complaint 502993
  18. Filed Mar 5, 1996Failure Feb 28, 1996Delmar, MDRetractorCrash1 injured

    RETRACTOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO LOCK UP DURING A REAR END COLLISION. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 980186
  19. Filed Mar 5, 1996Dallas, TXFuel system, DeliveryFire

    THE CAR WAS PARKED AND FOR NO REASON IT WAS ON FIRER. THE INSURANCE AGENT SAID IT WAS FUEL LINE FAILUR*AKE.

    NHTSA complaint 980135
  20. Filed Jan 31, 1996Failure Mar 23, 1995Arlington, VAAlternator/generator/regulator, Engine, Air conditioner, Automatic transmission

    TRANSMISSION SLIPPED/FAILED TWICE.

    NHTSA complaint 501221
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

7 NHTSA investigations on file

  • EA94005 Engineering analysis, Structure
    LIFTGATE LATCHES
    Opened Jan 31, 1994, closed Oct 25, 1995
  • EA91010 Engineering analysis, Powertrain
    TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE
    Opened Dec 10, 1990, closed Dec 31, 1991
  • EA90030 Engineering analysis, Equipment
    SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS
    Opened May 31, 1990, closed Sep 24, 1990
  • EA90011 Engineering analysis, Lighting
    UNDERDASH FIRES
    Opened Feb 23, 1990, closed Feb 28, 1991
  • PE90030 Preliminary evaluation, Equipment
    SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE
    Opened Jan 9, 1990, closed May 31, 1990
  • PE89170 Preliminary evaluation, Engine and cooling
    UNDERDASH FIRES
    Opened Sep 26, 1989, closed Feb 23, 1990
  • PE88095 Preliminary evaluation, Seats
    BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT
    Opened Aug 22, 1988, closed Feb 15, 1989
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

No manufacturer communications on file

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins