Model year guide

1985 Dodge ramcharger

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Dodge ramcharger is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1985 Dodge ramcharger — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1985 Dodge ramcharger at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints4

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1985 Dodge ramcharger recalls 2

Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields NHTSA Campaign #84V115000 · 24/09/1984

VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE IMPACT TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE STRUCTURE OF THE REAR STEP BUMPER MAY NOT WITHSTAND A REAR END COLLISION SIMILAR TO THE FORCE CREATED IN TESTING; FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR UPON IMPACT.

Fix: A FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE SKID PLATE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.

Service Brakes, Air:supply:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #84V117000 · 24/09/1984

THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE, WHICH IS ROUTED FROM THE BODY BRAKE TUBING TO THE FRONT AXLE CONNECTOR, MAY HAVE BEEN TWISTED WHEN INSTALLED. IF THE HOSE IS TWISTED, IT MAY BECOME LOOPED OR COILED UPON ITSELF RESULTING IN ABRASIVE CONTACT DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Fix: THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ON EACH VEHICLE INVOLVED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PROPER ROUTING AND, IF NECESSARY, REROUTED TO PREVENT ANY ABRASIVE CONTACT.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1985 Dodge ramcharger common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Dimensions & weight

Length
184.3 in
Width
79.1 in
Height
73.6 in
Wheelbase
105.9 in
Curb weight
4,323 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Dodge ramcharger. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge ramcharger. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the brake booster vacuum hose port in the base of the carburetor could become blocked with frozen moisture after an extended period of highway driving at low ambient temperatures. This may result in intermittant loss of brake power assist on a second application of the brake pedal. Correction: the brake booster vacuum hose will be relocated to the intake ma…

Transport Canada #1986115 · Oct 1986

Brakes

Certain vehicles may have been built with an improperly installed (twisted) front brake hose. This could allow abrasive contact during normal suspension travel and result in eventual hose failure and partial loss of braking capability.

Transport Canada #1984122 · Oct 1984

Not Entered

THE STEP BUMPER COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK IN A REAR IMPACT THEREFORE THE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.

Transport Canada #1984115 · Sep 1984

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Dodge ramcharger

The Dodge Ramcharger is a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993, based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D series/Ram pickup chassis. A Plymouth version, named the Plymouth Trail Duster, offered from 1974 to 1981, was Plymouth's only SUV.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1985 Dodge ramcharger trims & engines on record

Engines
5.9L 8-cyl

1985 Dodge ramcharger vehicles on record

1985 Dodge ramcharger 1985 Dodge ramcharger1B4GW12W7FS613165

Other Dodge ramcharger model years

1990

1985 Dodge ramcharger — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Dodge ramcharger have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Dodge ramcharger. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Dodge ramcharger?

Across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are tires, visibility, seats.

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