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1985 Volkswagen VanagonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 4, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1985 Volkswagen Vanagon recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Vanagon year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Vanagon median. How we score

'80'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SLIDING DOOR LATCH FAILUREEA91026 · closed Jan 27, 1992
    No recall
  2. FUEL LEAK, EVAPORATIVE VNTPE90024 · closed Feb 20, 1990
    No recall
  3. OVERHEAD A/C SEPARATIONPE93043 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-175
In owners' words

What Vanagon owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FIRE FROM UNDER DASH NEXT TO FUSE BOX. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE ELECTRICAL FIRE MUST HAVE UNKNOWN CAUSE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED NORMAL FOR AGING VEHICLES. *YH
Complaint 877455 · Jan 4, 2001

Own a 1985 Vanagon?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.