VehicleVerdict

1985 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted1,962 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 69 complaints1991: 150 complaints1992: 319 complaints1993: 391 complaints1994: 248 complaints1995: 118 complaints1996: 1,860 complaints1997: 857 complaints1998: 761 complaints1999: 599 complaints2000: 558 complaints2001: 362 complaints2002: 417 complaints2003: 289 complaints2004: 144 complaints2005: 1,341 complaints2006: 378 complaints2007: 273 complaints2008: 1,962 complaints2009: 798 complaints2010: 1,307 complaints2011: 821 complaints2012: 816 complaints2013: 656 complaints2014: 476 complaints2015: 348 complaints2016: 1,220 complaints2017: 531 complaints2018: 349 complaints2019: 307 complaints2020: 23 complaints
Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1100%

Does the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

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

95I001004Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 411,678 units

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.

95I001008Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,262,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS A DEFECTIVE HINGE, THAT CAUSES THE LATCH/LOCK TO BE COME INOPERATIVE. THE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT AND WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING. (THE DOOR IS CRACKING AT THE HINGE AND IS BEGINNING TO DETERIORATE) SCC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

1985 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Dodge Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.

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.