MYRModel Year Report

1985 Dodge Caravan

▲ Better than typical
1985 Dodge Caravan
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:33:44.301Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Caravan Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 49 complaints 1985 1986: 49 complaints 1987: 72 complaints 1988: 107 complaints 1989: 194 complaints 1989 1990: 283 complaints 1991: 623 complaints 1992: 923 complaints 1993: 955 complaints 1994: 661 complaints 1994 1995: 489 complaints 1996: 1403 complaints 1997: 714 complaints 1998: 629 complaints 1999: 555 complaints 1999 2000: 470 complaints 2001: 257 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 195 complaints 2004: 65 complaints 2004 2005: 537 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 81 complaints 2008: 302 complaints 2009: 118 complaints 2009 2010: 172 complaints 2011: 78 complaints 2012: 87 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2014: 20 complaints 2014 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 36 complaints 2017: 11 complaints 2018: 5 complaints 2019: 3 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020
1985: 49 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198418
198549
198649
198772
1988107
1989194
1990283
1991623
1992923
1993955
1994661
1995489
19961403
1997714
1998629
1999555
2000470
2001257
2002245
2003195
200465
2005537
2006173
200781
2008302
2009118
2010172
201178
201287
201330
201420
201523
201636
201711
20185
20193
20203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 29%

29% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hatchback/liftgate and support device/strut.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

REAR LIFTGATE CAME OPEN FROM ACCIDENT AND OCCUPANTS WERE EJECTED. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950308

REAR LIFTGATE OPENED UPON REAR IMPACT AT 20 MPH. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950307

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and cooling unit and lines.

SUSPENSION 16%

16% of complaints: suspension — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing shock absorber and torsion bar.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14%

14% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch and lock.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE, ROLLED OVER AND REAR HATCH OPEN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950303

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19841206 — fuel system, gasoline

THE METAL FUEL SUPPLY TUBE MAY CRACK AT THE FUEL PUMP END DUE TO VIBRATION. THE CRACK MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. (THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE CONNECTS THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER.)

Remedy: A FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. THIS WILL RESTRICT TUBE VIBRATION AND PREVENT CRACKS.

Campaign 84V150000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19860116 — visibility

VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL SUNSCREEN REAR GLASS WHICH HAS LESS THAN 70 PERCENT LUMINOUS TRANSMITTANCE AND DOES NOT HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE W

Remedy: INSTALL PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR.

Campaign 85V164000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880822 — PE (closed 19890215)

BROKEN DRIVERS SEAT

I 19890926 — PE (closed 19900223)

UNDERDASH FIRES

I 19900109 — PE (closed 19900531)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILURE

I 19900223 — EA (closed 19910228)

UNDERDASH FIRES

I 19900531 — EA (closed 19900924)

SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILS

I 19901210 — EA (closed 19911231)

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

I 19940131 — EA (closed 19951025)

LIFTGATE LATCHES

R 19951103 — latches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSL

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

Campaign 95I001004 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960712 — latches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER

Remedy: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

Campaign 95I001008 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — service brakes, hydraulic

ROADWAY STONES MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE HEIGHT SENSING BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO FAIL.

Remedy: CLEAR PROPORTIONING VALVE OF STONES AND INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT STONES FROM ENTERING.

Campaign 85V053000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Dodge Caravan — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V053000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 84V150000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 85V164000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001004 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I001008 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1986

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1993 ■ 1992

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Dodge Caravan reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1985 Dodge Caravan is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Dodge Caravan?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Dodge Caravan have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.