Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge Caravan. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗VISUAL SYSTEMS:MIRRORS:REARVIEW:EXTERIOR
- Summary
- 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 WITH FMVSS 111, REAR VIEW MIRRORS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE DRIVERS OF THESE VANS DO NOT HAVE THE MINIMUM FIELD OF VISION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 111. WITHOUT THIS MINIMUM FIELD OF VISION THE DRIVER CANNOT MANEUVER HIS VEHICLE SAFELY AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- INSTALL PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR.
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:DIFFERENTIAL:PROPORTIONAL VALVE
- Summary
- ROADWAY STONES MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE HEIGHT SENSING BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO FAIL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: PROPORTIONING VALVE MALFUNCTION RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING HARD BRAKING WITH A LIGHT LOAD AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- CLEAR PROPORTIONING VALVE OF STONES AND INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT STONES FROM ENTERING.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (49)
49 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 49 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 13 | 26.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 16.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 14.3% |
| Power train | 6 | 12.2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 10.2% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 10.2% |
| Suspension | 4 | 8.2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 8.2% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6.1% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6.1% |
How 1985 compares with other Caravan years
Best and worst Caravan years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 18 | 3 |
| 1985 | 49 | 3 |
| 1986 | 49 | 1 |
| 1987 | 69 | 0 |
| 1988 | 103 | 2 |
| 1989 | 191 | 2 |
| 1990 | 278 | 3 |
| 1991 | 617 | 9 |
| 1992 | 913 | 9 |
| 1993 | 949 | 8 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 1985 Caravan for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1985 Dodge Caravan FAQ
How many recalls does the 1985 Dodge Caravan have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 85V164000 (visibility), 85V053000 (brake), 84V150000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1985 Dodge Caravan problems?
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (13), Engine and engine cooling (8), Latches/locks/linkages (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1985 Caravan compare with other years?
Among the 1984–1993 Dodge Caravan model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (18) and the 1993 the most (949). The 1985 drew 49. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.