The 1985 Chevrolet Caprice has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,811,781 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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).
Consequence
SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.
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…
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…
Remedy
REPOSITION FUEL LINES TO PRECLUDE CONTACT WITH RADIATOR SHROUD ATTACHING SCREW.
Complaints by component
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Pe00020; tires bought from a firestone store and were not original tires, 22570r15, dothyuuf75084, an 10/31/94. Chevrolet caprice 1985. While driving on the interstate for about 3 miles, complete tread came off left rear wheel.*ak 2 other tires are faulty, the tread separation caused damage to the…”
“The left rear firestone fr721, size 225/70 r15, dot hyuuf75084, tire separated completely at the tread, consumer states that there are 2 other faulty tires on vehicle, firestone dealer was contacted and agreed to inspect the separated tire, consumer yet to comply with firestone dealer. *tt”
“The left rear firestone fr721, size 225/70 r15, dot hyuuf75084, tire separated completely at the tread, consumer states that there are 2 other faulty tires on vehicle, firestone dealer was contacted and agreed to inspect the separated tire, consumer yet to comply with firestone dealer. *tt”
“When trying to start up the vehicle sometimes won't start. When starting up and pulling out, the vehicle will keep cutting off. And the consumer states the fuel pump was replaced three times, and the fuel filter /battery were also replaced three times. Dealer can't determine the problem. *ak”
“When trying to start up the vehicle sometimes won't start. When starting up and pulling out, the vehicle will keep cutting off. And the consumer states the fuel pump was replaced three times, and the fuel filter /battery were also replaced three times. Dealer can't determine the problem. *ak”
“When trying to start up the vehicle sometimes won't start. When starting up and pulling out, the vehicle will keep cutting off. And the consumer states the fuel pump was replaced three times, and the fuel filter /battery were also replaced three times. Dealer can't determine the problem. *ak”
“When trying to start up the vehicle sometimes won't start. When starting up and pulling out, the vehicle will keep cutting off. And the consumer states the fuel pump was replaced three times, and the fuel filter /battery were also replaced three times. Dealer can't determine the problem. *ak”
“Consumer noticed noise while driving, consumer inspected vehicle and found general ameriway xt tire, p205/70r15, had a 9 inch long and 4 inch wide strip of tread missing from tire. *slc”
Defect investigations
InvestigationC89001 Opened 1989-03-06 · closed 1990-01-16
THROTTLE NON-RETURN
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA88019 Opened 1988-01-28 · closed 1990-10-31
HYDRO BOOST
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE87038 Opened 1987-07-09 · closed 1988-01-28
HYDROBOOST FAILURE
SUBJECT VEHICLES:CAPRICE, CAPRICE CLASSIC, CUSTOM CRUISER, DEVILLE,ELECTRA, ESTATE WAGON, FLEETWOOD, LESABRE, NINETY-EIGHT, PARISIENNE,PARK AVENUE.(ALL 1984-86 GM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDROBOOST II SYSTEMS)ANALYSIS:CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGE SEVERAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE POWERSTEERING AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEMS OF…
InvestigationPE88027 Opened 1988-02-09 · closed 1988-05-11
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Chevrolet Caprice as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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