Complaints
85
Crashes
8
Fires
6
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1985 Dodge Caravan Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#15 complaints
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
Crash-related:2
#24 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Fires:1
#34 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Considering a 1985 Dodge Caravan?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1985 Dodge Caravan.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 | — | — | — |
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1985 Dodge Caravan. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Dodge Caravan Years
1985 Dodge Caravan — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1985 Dodge Caravan reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1985 Dodge Caravan has 85 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1985 Dodge Caravan?
Top reported problems: Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate (5 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (4 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1985 Dodge Caravan?
NHTSA complaints for the 1985 Dodge Caravan include 8 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1985 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1985 Dodge Caravan 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 1985 Dodge Caravan?
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 Dodge Caravan reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1985 Dodge Caravan
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99