Defect
THE ENTRANCE DOOR EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM MAY EXCEED THE 20 LB. FORCE ALLOWED BY FMVSS 217.
Consequence
BUSES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.
Remedy
REPAIR RELEASE CABLE MECHANISM TO COMPLY WITH STANDARD.
1985 Flxible METRO problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1985 Flxible METRO — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
8
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1985 compare to other METRO years?
Does the 1985 Flxible METRO have recalls?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
DUE TO INCREASED BULB LOAD ON THE FLASHER, WHEN OPERATED IN HAZARD MODE, FLASHER DID NOT MEET PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108.
Consequence
BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy
INSTALL A COMBINATION TURN HAZARD FLASHER THAT COMPLIES WITH STANDARD.
Defect
THE FLASHING MODE OF THE DECELERATION LIGHT SYSTEM IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 108.
Consequence
FLASHING DECELERATION LIGHTS MAY BE CONFUSING TO OTHERDRIVERS; BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy
MODIFY DECELERATION LIGHTS TO REMOVE THE FLASHING MODE.
Defect
AN INCORRECT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO RETAIN THE TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT BUSHINGS.
Consequence
BOLT MAY NOT MAINTAIN SPECIFIED TORQUE AND COULD BREAKOR WORK LOOSE AND FALL OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
INSTALL PROPER SAE GRADE 5 BOLT.
Defect
STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT MAY BE TOO LONG ALLOWING EXCESSIVE THRUST LOAD TO BE APPLIED TO UPPER HOUSING BEARINGS AND STEERING TRANSFER BOX BEARINGS.
Consequence
BEARINGS COULD FAIL OR SEIZE, RESULTING IN LOSS OFSTEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
REPLACE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH ONE OF PROPER LENGTH.
Defect
INCORRECT LOCK WASHERS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT BUSHING BOLTS AND THE COLUMN HOUSING PIVOT MAY BE MISALIGNED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: PIVOT BOLT COULD LOOSEN AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
INSTALL PROPER LOCK WASHER AND CORRECT MISALIGNMENT OF COLUMN HOUSING PIVOT.
Defect
ONLY TWO EMERGENCY WINDOW EXISTS WERE IDENTIFIED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUS, INSTEAD OF THREE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 217. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 217.
Remedy
EMERGENCY EXIT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED TO THE THIRD WINDOW ON THE LEFT SIDE TO IDENTIFY THIS WINDOW POSITION AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT.
Defect
CERTIFICATION LABELS CONTAIN ERRORS IN THE VIN CODE. ON SOME 1984 AND 1985 BUSES THE CHECK DIGIT CONTAINS A "DASH (-)" RATHER THAN THE REQUIRED NUMBER (8). ALSO ON SOME 1984 BUSES THE CODE FOR THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURER IS INCORRECT. THE TENTH DIGIT CONTAINS A "D" (1984) INSTEAD OF AN "E" (1985). CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: BUSES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 115.
Remedy
INSTALL A NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL WITH THE CORRECT VIN CODE WHERE THE CHECK DIGIT IS INCORRECT. ALSO NOTIFY THE OWNERS CONCERNING THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURER ERROR.
1985 Flxible METRO — common questions
Is the 1985 Flxible METRO reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1985 Flxible METRO have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Flxible METRO. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1985 Flxible METRO under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
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.