IllustrationVEHICLE 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
1985 Volkswagen Vanagon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Vanagon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsOfficial recalls
185V152000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Nov 19, 1985
THE LATCH OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR MAY BECOME DAMAGED IF EXCESSIVE FORCE IS USED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DAMAGED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WILL NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER BUMPY ROADS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A PASSENGER COULD FALL OUT CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: MODIFY THE SLIDING DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY SO DOOR WILL PROPERLY ENGAGE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE93043 · Overhead A/c Separation
Opened May 5, 1993 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
EA91026 · Sliding Door Latch Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1991 · Closed Jan 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90024 · Fuel Leak, Evaporative Vnt
Opened Dec 4, 1989 · Closed Feb 20, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available