1985 Dodge CARAVAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 36 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 27 |
| 1996 | 9 |
1995: 27; 1996: 9
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 482373 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
ENGINE SMOKED/LOCKED UP. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486209 · 1995-04-01 (April 1, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY AN ENGINE OIL LEAK (OHIO STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT) *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489032 · 1995-04-08 (April 8, 1995)
METAL WHERE RIGHT/LEFT FRONT DOOR HINGE ATTACH IS TOO THIN, CAUSING 5 INCH CRACK WHERE HINGE IS WELDED TO THE DOORS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489394 · 1995-04-24 (April 24, 1995)
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490663 · 1996-01-03 (January 3, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING SMELLED AN ODOR, SAW A GLOW UNDER DASHBOARD FOLLOWED BY SPARKS COMING OUT OF THE HEATER VENT (HEATER WAS NOT ON ). *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501221 · 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
DRIVER HEARS VEHICLE BOTTOM OUT ON BUMPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502993 · 1996-03-29 (March 29, 1996)
SEAT BELT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE FLOOR IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505363 · 1996-06-17 (June 17, 1996)
SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FAILED (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505363 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
84V150000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1984-11-26 (November 26, 1984)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V053000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Differential Proportional Valve
Reported: 1985-05-01 (May 1, 1985)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V164000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 1985-12-11 (December 11, 1985)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗