AI Damage1985 Chrysler NEW Yorker: common problems
Owners of the 1985 Chrysler NEW Yorker filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 43% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (43% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When putting vehicle in drive engine revved and vehicle accelerated on it's own. Consumer applied brake, pedal felt spongy. Vehicle hit the gate in parking garage, then a concrete ramp. Consumer was then able to shift to park and shut off engine. Damage to vehicle unknown at this time, no injuries.
Turned vehicle off went into the store, came out approx.5 minutes, noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Opened hood saw the alternator was on fire. Put out fire by hand. Replaced alternator. No damage to vehicle.
Started vehicle, put into drive noticed brakes a little spongy drove approx. A quarter of mile applied brakes, brake peddle went to floor no braking action had to apply emergency brake to stop. Towed vehicle home, replaced master cylinder, found fluid to be black.
Female connector pins loosens, causing fuel pump power loss-stalling
Consumer had parked the car when across the street looked back car caught on fire . Tt
The electrical fuel pump inside the fuel tank failed, the fuel pump wires burned. Tt
Too much free play in steering wheel must turn quarter and a half. Appears to be loss motion. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,539 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the NEW Yorker has 34 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
- NEW Yorker 19835 sources
- NEW Yorker 198612 sources
- NEW Yorker 198721 sources
- NEW Yorker 198829 sources
- NEW Yorker 198978 sources
- NEW Yorker 199092 sources
- NEW Yorker 199184 sources
- NEW Yorker 199247 sources
- NEW Yorker 199373 sources
- NEW Yorker 1994215 sources
- NEW Yorker 199559 sources
- NEW Yorker 199612 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Chrysler NEW Yorker?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (29%), smoke, burning smell, fire (29%), loss of power / limp mode (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1985 Chrysler NEW Yorker?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1985 Chrysler NEW Yorker from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1985 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.