VehicleVerdict

1985 Chevrolet Caprice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Caprice years?

Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted185 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 6 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 41 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 16 complaints1989: 19 complaints1990: 6 complaints1991: 170 complaints1992: 133 complaints1993: 63 complaints1994: 185 complaints1995: 111 complaints1996: 87 complaints1997: 3 complaints2003: 1 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 9 complaints2014: 14 complaints
Caprice NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Caprice years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Chevrolet Caprice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels450%
Fuel System338%
Electrical System113%

Does the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

89V102000Speed ControlJune 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 units

Defect

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

85V151000Fuel SystemNovember 19, 1985 · 27,942 units

Defect

THE FUEL FEED AND FUEL RETURN PIPE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDES A HOSE WHICH MAY CONTACT THE POINTED END OF THE RADIATOR SHROUD ATTACHING SCREW. THIS COULD CAUSE A GASOLINE LEAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF FUEL LEAK DEVELOPS IT COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE AND BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPOSITION FUEL LINES TO PRECLUDE CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SHROUD ATTACHING SCREW.

85V153000Electrical SystemNovember 19, 1985 · 27,942 units

Defect

THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY CONTACT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OR EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHIELD AND EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE INSULATION AND GROUND THE CABLE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH COULD CAUSE BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

INSTALL A POSITIVE BATTERY SERVICE KIT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PE00020; TIRES BOUGHT FROM A FIRESTONE STORE AND WERE NOT ORIGINAL TIRES, 22570R15, DOTHYUUF75084, AN 10/31/94. CHEVROLET CAPRICE 1985. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT 3 MILES, COMPLETE TREAD CAME OFF LEFT REAR WHEEL.*AK 2 OTHER TIRES ARE FAULTY, THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 15, 2000

“WHEN TRYING TO START UP THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START. WHEN STARTING UP AND PULLING OUT, THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP CUTTING OFF. AND THE CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE FUEL FILTER /BATTERY WERE ALSO REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 21, 1995

“WHEN TRYING TO START UP THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES WON'T START. WHEN STARTING UP AND PULLING OUT, THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP CUTTING OFF. AND THE CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND THE FUEL FILTER /BATTERY WERE ALSO REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 1995

1985 Chevrolet Caprice — common questions

Is the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Caprice years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Caprice years to avoid are 1994, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1986, 2014. The cleanest record among Caprice years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.