RecallMyCar

1985 Chevrolet Caprice Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice, and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
4
owner complaints to NHTSA
16–21
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 89V102000 Reported 1,755,897 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    A small nylon bushing in the cruise control servo bail may slip out of place, causing intermittent and unexpected increases in engine speed or dieseling (engine run on with ignition off).

    Remedy: Install a new bushing in cruise control servo bail.

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 85V151000 Reported 27,942 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The fuel feed and fuel return pipe assemblies includes a hose which may contact the pointed end of the radiator shroud attaching screw. This could cause a gasoline leak. Consequence of defect: if fuel leak develops it could result in an underhood fire and burn injuries to occupants.

    Remedy: Reposition fuel lines to preclude contact with radiator shroud attaching screw.

  3. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 85V153000 Reported 27,942 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    The positive battery cable may contact the upper control arm or exhaust manifold shield and eventually wear through the insulation and ground the cable. Consequence of defect: this could result in an underhood fire which could cause burn injuries to occupants.

    Remedy: Install a positive battery service kit.

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Consumer noticed noise while driving, consumer inspected vehicle and found general ameriway xt tire, p205/70r15, had a 9 inch long and 4 inch wide strip of tread missing from tire. *slc”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 25, 2001 · Tires

“Pe00020; tires bought from a firestone store and were not original tires, 22570r15, dothyuuf75084, an 10/31/94. Chevrolet caprice 1985. While driving on the interstate for about 3 miles, complete trea”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 21, 2000 · Tires

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice (Caprice Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined16–21 mpg
City / Highway14–18 / 19–26
FuelDiesel, Regular
EPA classMidsize-Large Station Wagons
Engine8 cyl, 5/5.7 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Chevrolet Caprice model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Caprice model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1965 Chevrolet Caprice30
1966 Chevrolet Caprice20
1967 Chevrolet Caprice20
1968 Chevrolet Caprice20
1969 Chevrolet Caprice40
1971 Chevrolet Caprice30
1972 Chevrolet Caprice20
1973 Chevrolet Caprice10
1974 Chevrolet Caprice20
1976 Chevrolet Caprice10
1977 Chevrolet Caprice32
1978 Chevrolet Caprice20
1979 Chevrolet Caprice33
1980 Chevrolet Caprice20
1981 Chevrolet Caprice10
1982 Chevrolet Caprice10
1983 Chevrolet Caprice08
1984 Chevrolet Caprice17
1985 Chevrolet Caprice34
1986 Chevrolet Caprice130
1987 Chevrolet Caprice217
1988 Chevrolet Caprice112
1989 Chevrolet Caprice018
1990 Chevrolet Caprice16
1991 Chevrolet Caprice5131
1992 Chevrolet Caprice689
1993 Chevrolet Caprice161
1994 Chevrolet Caprice6146
1995 Chevrolet Caprice788
1996 Chevrolet Caprice465
1997 Chevrolet Caprice03
2003 Chevrolet Caprice01
2011 Chevrolet Caprice31
2012 Chevrolet Caprice30
2013 Chevrolet Caprice46
2014 Chevrolet Caprice312

Checking a specific 1985 Chevrolet Caprice

How do I know if my 1985 Chevrolet Caprice has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V151000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.