1985 Dodge Lancer Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1985 Dodge Lancer, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

owner complaint to NHTSA

19–24

MPG combined (EPA)

1985
1986
1987
1989
1995
2001
2002

4 safety recalls for the 1985 Dodge Lancer

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

Seats

NHTSA 89V011000 Reported January 31, 1989 60,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Drivers seat frame may experience fatigue failure at one (front/outboard) of its four attachments.

Remedy: Replace drivers seat frame with a strenghtened version; also, reinforce power adjuster front crossmember to increase rigidity of seat attachment system.
Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA 88V105000 Reported July 1, 1988 580,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Fuel leakage may occur in low ambient temperature operation at connections of an engine compartment fuel supply hose to the pressure regulator and to the fuel rail.

Remedy: Relocate pressure regulator; replace fuel supply with formed hose with revised routing configuration to ensure sealing integrity.
Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

NHTSA 85V010000 Reported January 1, 1985 53,000 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

An engine compartment fuel hose routed to the fuel system pressure regulator may have an inadequately tightened hose clamp. Consequence of defect: the fuel hose could leak and result in an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Reposition and tighten to the proper torque level of the fuel hose clamp.
Seat belts: front

NHTSA 84V163000 Reported December 23, 1984 208 vehicles potentially affected CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Required front center seat belt assembly was omitted. Vehicles are not in compliance with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 209, seat belt assemblies.

Remedy: Installation of missing center seat belt will be done without charge.

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1985 Dodge Lancer have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery1
Seats1

What owners are reporting

“Battery drains preventing vehicle from starting, must recharge battery to start vehicle. *dsh”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 24, 1996 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1985 Dodge Lancer. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined	19–24 mpg
City / Highway	17–21 / 22–31
Fuel	Premium, Regular
EPA class	Midsize Cars
Engine	4 cyl, 2.2 L
Transmission	Automatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Dodge Lancer model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Lancer model year in NHTSA's database.

Model year	Recalls	Complaints
1985 Dodge Lancer	4	1
1986 Dodge Lancer	2	14
1987 Dodge Lancer	2	8
1989 Dodge Lancer	1	2
1995 Dodge Lancer	0	1
2001 Dodge Lancer	0	3
2002 Dodge Lancer	0	1

Checking a specific 1985 Dodge Lancer

How do I know if my 1985 Dodge Lancer 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1985 Dodge Lancer; 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 Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 84V163000).

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 Dodge models

Durango13,770 complaints
Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
RAM 150012,416 complaints
Caravan10,526 complaints
Dakota6,629 complaints
RAM 25006,443 complaints
Intrepid6,228 complaints
Charger5,741 complaints

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.