Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1985-DODCAR-D2BA

1985 Dodge Caravan

Based on reports from 85 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.

Complaints
85
Crashes
8
Fires
6
Recalls
6
TSBs
0
🟡

Preliminary Verdict

Think Twice

Based on 85 complaints, 8 crashes, 6 fires, and 6 recalls.

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $1.20

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Structure:body:hatchback/liftgateHIGH

5 owners reported structure:body:hatchback/liftgate issues.

!Inspect the Engine And Engine Cooling:engineMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (5 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate5 (6%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine4 (5%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline4 (5%)
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock3 (4%)
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut3 (4%)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal3 (4%)
Power Train:automatic Transmission3 (4%)
Structure:body:door3 (4%)

1985 Dodge Caravan: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate Issues

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1985 Dodge Caravan, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Issues

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1985 Dodge Caravan, with 4 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 1985 Dodge Caravan, with 4 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock Issues

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 1985 Dodge Caravan, with 3 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $1.20

Recall History (6 recalls)

08E033000May 2008

SUSPENSION

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.

84V150000Dec 1984

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.)

85V053000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

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.

85V164000Jan 1986

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

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.

95I001004Nov 1995

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

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.

+ 1 more recall in the full report

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

The worst model year for the Dodge Caravan is the 2002 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 85 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

1985 Dodge Caravan: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1985 Dodge Caravan?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1985 Dodge Caravan is related to the structure:body:hatchback/liftgate, with 5 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1985 Dodge Caravan reliable?
The 1985 Dodge Caravan has 85 complaints, 8 crash reports, and 6 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 1985 Dodge Caravan problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1985 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes, the 1985 Dodge Caravan has 6 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Dodge Caravan problems start?
Mileage data is limited for this vehicle. The full report analyzes available data to identify failure patterns by mileage range.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1985 Dodge Caravan Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 85 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees