VehicleVerdict

1985 Plymouth Voyager problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1985 Plymouth Voyager is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 38 owner complaints run below the Voyager median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Latches & Locks leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (26% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

9

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Voyager years?

Voyager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted1,111 complaints1978: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 23 complaints1985: 38 complaints1986: 80 complaints1987: 99 complaints1988: 109 complaints1989: 204 complaints1990: 270 complaints1991: 624 complaints1992: 893 complaints1993: 749 complaints1994: 670 complaints1995: 476 complaints1996: 1,111 complaints1997: 474 complaints1998: 443 complaints1999: 362 complaints2000: 214 complaints
Voyager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Voyager years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Plymouth Voyager problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks1026%
Body & Structure821%
Engine411%
Suspension411%
Electrical System38%
Brakes25%
Other25%
Seat Belts25%
Seats13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Visibility & Wipers13%

Does the 1985 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?

6 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.

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.

85V164000Visibility & WipersDecember 11, 1985 · 10,800 units

Defect

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.

85V053000BrakesMay 1, 1985 · 264,000 units

Defect

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.

84V150000Fuel SystemNovember 26, 1984 · 82,500 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER ACCIDENTLY HIT THE AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE LATCH WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH AND THE GATE OPENED, THE MANUAL STATES THAT THE LIFTGATE SHOULD ONLY OPEN WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK POSITION.*AK ALSOBUILT IN CAR SEAT DOESNOT FIT PROPERLY, CONSUMER'S SEAT BELT ON VEHICLE IS NOT LONG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · March 1, 1996

“REAR HATCH FAILS TO HOLD UP POSITION. OWNER IDENTIFIES, WHEN COLD WEATHER SHOCKS PERFORM ERRATIC. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“OWNER STATES THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN HER MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT SHE WAS GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOTICED SMOKE AND DISCOVERED THE WIRES WERE ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AROUND THE EMISSION CONTROL AREA, THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 20, 1997 · fire

1985 Plymouth Voyager — common questions

Is the 1985 Plymouth Voyager reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Voyager year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1985 Voyager problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (10 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), suspension (4 complaints).

Does the 1985 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Plymouth Voyager. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Plymouth Voyager under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Plymouth Voyager years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Voyager years to avoid are 1996, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999. The cleanest record among Voyager years belongs to 1980.

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.