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

1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, most recently filed November 1987. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

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 (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. 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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V178000 Filed Nov 23, 1987

VISUAL SYSTEMS:GLASS:WINDOW:TAILGATE AND BACK DOOR

Visibility · glass, side/rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE KEY OPERATED TAILGATE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSE IF THE SPRING LOADED KEY DOES NOT RETURN TO OFF POSITION WHEN RELEASED.
Consequence
WINDOW COULD CLOSE ON A CHILD OR OTHERS RESULTING INPERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE KEY IN TAILGATE OF UNATTENDED VEHICLE. REPAIR MECHANISM TO ASSURE PROPER KEY RETURN OPERATION.
Repair progress not yet reported180,000 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 87V178000

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 (5)

5 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved 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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, by component (top 5). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 5.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1985 compares with other Grand Wagoneer years

Best and worst Grand Wagoneer years →
2 5 4 5 3 1 2 1 1 8
1984198519861987198819891990199119921993
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 14 mpg combined

14
mpg combined
14
city
15
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,800
CO₂ tailpipe
635 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles

What it costs you to run

$4,665per year
$389per month
1,071gallons a year

Miles ÷ 14 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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.2 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 15 / 14$4,800635
4.2 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 16 / 14$4,800635
5.9 L 8-cyl · 3-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive10 / 12 / 11$6,100808

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 Grand Wagoneer 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 Grand Wagoneer years

Where to next

1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer FAQ

How many recalls does the 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 87V178000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (2), Exterior lighting (1), Service brakes (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer get?

EPA rates the 4.2 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 14 city, 15 highway and 14 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1985 Grand Wagoneer compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer model years at least five years old, the 1989 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1993 the most (8). The 1985 drew 5. 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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