1985 Plymouth Reliant Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Plymouth Reliant (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Plymouth Reliant. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by suspension (2) and electrical system (1). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 40%
- Suspension2 40%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Steering1 20%
Example complaints
Suspension: “When driving at 50 MPH, the front is shaking real badly, and there is a problem with the tie rods/ ball joints and struts.dealer can't determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #836910, filed 1999-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Plymouth Reliant version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Reliant FWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Reliant Wagon FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
7 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 84V147000Nov 21, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Plymouth Reliant 1984–1985, Horizon 1984–1985, Dodge Aries 1984–1985 +6 more
The potential for fuel leakage exists in the engine compartment at the fuel reservoir seam and its hose connections. The fuel reservoir is a silver colored can mounted to the air cleaner.
Recall details for the 1985 Plymouth Reliant → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Plymouth Reliant.
Other model years of the Plymouth Reliant
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 7 | 42,320 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 16 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 10 | — | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Plymouth Reliant model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Plymouth Reliant have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1985 Plymouth Reliant as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Plymouth Reliant is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by suspension with 2.
Has the 1985 Plymouth Reliant been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Plymouth Reliant get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Plymouth Reliant (Reliant, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.