AI Damage1985 Dodge Ramcharger: common problems
Owners of the 1985 Dodge Ramcharger filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about tires and seats. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Tires 50% of all complaints
- 2 Seats 25% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- Tires: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.2 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.9 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dominator radial a/t size 31x1050r15, dot u78d, tc21601, r8r1. Tires were purchased about 4 years ago for a 1985 dodge ramcharger. They were used for about 3 months then placed into storage. Tires were removed from vehicle and placed in a climate controlled storage area.
Side wall callasped while only going 30 hph, right rear tire, tire had 5000 miles on it. (dot number: vdp6 u6w tiresize: 3312.50r15)
Driver's seat tracks broke. The base of seat caused pressure which appears to be the cause of seat tracks breaking.
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 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ramcharger has 3 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Dodge Ramcharger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: tires, seats, visibility. Total complaints: 4.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1985 Dodge Ramcharger?
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 Dodge Ramcharger 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 2026-11-05.