1985 DODGE CARAVAN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

85

Owner Complaints

8 Crashes 6 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

The 1985 DODGE CARAVAN has received a total of 85 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate (5 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (4 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (4 complaints).

Recalls for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN, potentially affecting up to 2,037,881 vehicles.

Recall 08E033000 — SUSPENSION

| 6,903 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

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Recall 95I001008 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

| 1,262,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

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Recall 95I001004 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

| 411,678 vehicles affected

Defect: 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. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

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

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Recall 85V164000 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

| 10,800 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Remedy: INSTALL PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR.

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Recall 84V150000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

| 82,500 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 85V053000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

| 264,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

85 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
Complaints: 5 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 3
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 3
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatesupport Devicestrut
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical System
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 2
Equipmentmechanicalcarrierrack
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncooling Unit And Lines
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventional
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhood
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringstorsion Bar
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#716152 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | | N/A miles
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
#710042 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | | N/A miles
MY DODGE CARAVAN MINIVAN IS ON HIGH . WHEN I DRIVE IT IT WILL REMAIN ONE SPEED UNTIL I PUT THE BRAKE ON. I KNOW THESE CARS WERE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND OF MY INVESTMENT. THE DOOR PANEL LIGHTS ALSO GET EXTREMELY HOT. THEY HAVE BURNT HOLES IN THEMSELVES AND HOLES ON MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
#710042 | STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | | N/A miles
MY DODGE CARAVAN MINIVAN IS ON HIGH . WHEN I DRIVE IT IT WILL REMAIN ONE SPEED UNTIL I PUT THE BRAKE ON. I KNOW THESE CARS WERE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND OF MY INVESTMENT. THE DOOR PANEL LIGHTS ALSO GET EXTREMELY HOT. THEY HAVE BURNT HOLES IN THEMSELVES AND HOLES ON MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
#831706 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | | N/A miles
HATCHBACK WINDOW IS RUSTING AROUND THE EDGE, AND THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE HATCHBACK WINDOW. *AK
#828153 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | | N/A miles
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

View all Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1985 DODGE CARAVAN.

Investigation PE89170 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Closed

Opened:

UNDERDASH FIRES

Other Model Years of the DODGE CARAVAN

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Other DODGE Models

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