VehicleVerdict

1985 Chrysler New Yorker problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other New Yorker years?

New Yorker NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted296 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 28 complaints1987: 49 complaints1988: 49 complaints1989: 95 complaints1990: 117 complaints1991: 124 complaints1992: 61 complaints1993: 96 complaints1994: 296 complaints1995: 74 complaints1996: 17 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints2004: 2 complaints
New Yorker NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all New Yorker years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Chrysler New Yorker problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System343%
Brakes114%
Electrical System114%
Speed Control114%
Steering114%

Does the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker have recalls?

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

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

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.

88V105000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1988 · 580,000 units

Defect

FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.

85V010000Fuel SystemJanuary 1, 1985 · 53,000 units

Defect

AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL HOSE ROUTED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE REGULATOR MAY HAVE AN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED HOSE CLAMP. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE FUEL HOSE COULD LEAK AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

REPOSITION AND TIGHTEN TO THE PROPER TORQUE LEVEL OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMP.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“STARTED VEHICLE, PUT INTO DRIVE NOTICED BRAKES A LITTLE SPONGY DROVE APPROX. A QUARTER OF MILE APPLIED BRAKES, BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR NO BRAKING ACTION HAD TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. TOWED VEHICLE HOME, REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, FOUND FLUID TO BE BLACK. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 15, 2011

“VEHICLE WAS DRIVE FROM HOME TO A CONVENIENCE ABOUT A HALF MILE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF WENT INTO THE STORE, CAME OUT APPROX.5 MINUTES, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OPENED HOOD SAW THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. PUT OUT FIRE BY HAND. REPLACED ALTERNATOR. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 15, 2012 · fire

“WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN DRIVE ENGINE REVVED AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE, PEDAL FELT SPONGY. VEHICLE HIT THE GATE IN PARKING GARAGE, THEN A CONCRETE RAMP. CONSUMER WAS THEN ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, NO INJURIES.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 9, 2002 · crash

1985 Chrysler New Yorker — common questions

Is the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Chrysler New Yorker under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler New Yorker years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the New Yorker years to avoid are 1994, 1991, 1990, 1993, 1989, 1995, 1992, 1988, 1987. The cleanest record among New Yorker years belongs to 1982.

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.