Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires3
- Electrical system1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 1985 Caprice vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice failed the safety check 0.47% of the time — 39% less often than the average 1985 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 66,639 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
35 first registered in 1985 are on Dutch roads; 86% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen6
- Band beschadigd4
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht4
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)4
- Ruitensproeierinstallatie werkt niet4
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot4
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In New Zealand
3 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice.
| 1989092 4 Jul 1989 | Engine A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL (BRACKET) MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INTERMITTENT INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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).
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 616349 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L V6 ENGINE IS INSTALLED. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILURE
HYDRO BOOST
HYDROBOOST FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation