Model year guide

1985 Chevrolet corvette

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Chevrolet corvette is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1985 Chevrolet corvette — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1985 Chevrolet corvette at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints16
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$4,860

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1985 Chevrolet corvette recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #07E088000 · 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE …

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #91V143000 · 04/09/1991

UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

Fix: REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1985 Chevrolet corvette common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Parking Brake
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

1985 Chevrolet corvette MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1985 Chevrolet corvette worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$4,860
High
$8,550

From 5 comparable 1985 Chevrolet corvette listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1985 Chevrolet corvette costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000
Fuel only$18,000
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1985 Chevrolet corvette trims & engines on record

Engines
5.7L 8-cyl

1985 Chevrolet corvette vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet corvette model years

1985 Chevrolet corvette — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Chevrolet corvette have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1985 Chevrolet corvette. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Chevrolet corvette?

Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, power train, steering.

What gas mileage does the 1985 Chevrolet corvette get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1985 Chevrolet corvette at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 1985 Chevrolet corvette worth?

Comparable 1985 Chevrolet corvette listings run roughly $1,000–$8,550, typically around $4,860 (from 5 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.