Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1985 Dodge Charger: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge Charger, most recently filed November 1984. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge Charger. 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 ↗
Listed for 1985 Dodge Charger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 84V147000 Filed Nov 21, 1984

FUEL:FUEL LINES:HOSES:NON-METALLIC

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE EXISTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE FUEL RESERVOIR SEAM AND ITS HOSE CONNECTIONS. THE FUEL RESERVOIR IS A SILVER COLORED CAN MOUNTED TO THE AIR CLEANER.
Remedy
THE HOSES AND THE METAL TUBE THAT ATTACHES TO THE FUEL RESERVOIR WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW COMPONENTS. THE DEALER WILL ALSO REPLACE OR RESEAL THE RESERVOIR.
Repair progress not yet reported340,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 84V147000
Listed for 1985 Dodge Charger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 84V116000 Filed Sep 24, 1984

FUEL:FUEL EMISSION CONTROL:VALVE

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · emission control · gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
AN EMISSIONS SYSTEM VALVE MAY ALLOW AN OVERLY RICH MIXTURE (EXCESSIVE FUEL) IN THE ENGINE DURING DECELERATION. THE MIXTURE OF AIR AND EXCESSIVE FUEL CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE STOPPING, COASTING, OR TURNING.
Remedy
ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE CORRECTED BY REMOVING THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM VALVE AND INSTALLING A VACUUM LINE CONNECTOR IN ITS PLACE.
Repair progress not yet reported2,385 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 84V116000

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 (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1985 Dodge Charger, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1985 compares with other Charger years

Best and worst Charger years →
1984198520012006200720082009201020112012
This year (1985)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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.

Fuel economy: up to 30 mpg combined

30
mpg combined
26
city
36
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,250
CO₂ tailpipe
296 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,177per year
$181per month
500gallons a year

Miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1985 Dodge Charger configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 36 / 30$2,250296
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500329
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 33 / 26$2,600342
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
2.2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,900423
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21$3,900423
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20$4,100444
2.2 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1985 Charger 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.

All Charger years

Where to next

1985 Dodge Charger FAQ

How many recalls does the 1985 Dodge Charger have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 84V147000 (fuel system), 84V116000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1985 Dodge Charger problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (2), Engine and engine cooling (1), Equipment (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1985 Dodge Charger get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual version at 26 city, 36 highway and 30 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1985 Charger compare with other years?

Among the 1984–2012 Dodge Charger model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2006 the most (1,294). The 1985 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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