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: 1 of 6 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
196,616 miles · May 2, 2002
Steering
1985 TOYOTA VAN WITH POWER STEERING. PART OF LINKAGE CALLED CENTER ARM SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DURING TURNING. THERE WAS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NO BODILY INJURY OCCURRED, BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED, I WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE DEAD. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-…
Read full complaint
1985 TOYOTA VAN WITH POWER STEERING. PART OF LINKAGE CALLED CENTER ARM SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DURING TURNING. THERE WAS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NO BODILY INJURY OCCURRED, BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED, I WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE DEAD. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761467
NHTSA ODI #10009187
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000
Seat Belts
THE SEATBELT BUCKLES HAVE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC OUTER COMPONENTS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE SEAT BELTS? ALSO, YOUR WEBSIGHT INDICATES A RECALL FOR STEERING COMPONENTS ON THIS 1985 TOYOTA VAN. HAVING BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, HOW CAN I KNOW THE AFFECTED PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED?*AK
NHTSA ODI #732834
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1999
Electrical System
VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED WITH ANY KEY THAT CAN FIT HALFWAY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833441
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 1997
SteeringTires
NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL OF STEERING ARM AND FRONT TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, CONSTANTLY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #521917
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Seat BeltsInjury
SEAT BELT FAILED DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURY, DUE TO DESIGN FLAW, SEAT BELT ONLY WORKS AT A 15% TILT.
NHTSA ODI #513426
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1996
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT DESIGNED SO THAT IT DOES NOT ENGAGE AT LESS THAN 15 DEGREE TILT, CAUSING IT TO FAIL IN ACCIDENT. *DH
THE CENTER CONTROL ARM OF THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM MAY DEVELOP A CRACK IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY OPERATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARKED POSITION. THE STEERING CENTER ARM MAY EVENTUALLY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A CRACKED STEERING CENTER ARM WILL ALLOW STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER, IF THE STEERING ARM BREAKS, IT WOULD RESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE CENTER CONTROL ARM WITH A REDESIGNED CONTROL ARM.
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
3
EA89038 · Steering Gear Failure
Opened Sep 27, 1989 · Closed Sep 20, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE89127 · Steering Gear Failure
Opened Jun 7, 1989 · Closed Sep 27, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
===
PE87057 · Igniter Assembly Failure
Opened Sep 10, 1987 · Closed Mar 30, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
SUMMARY: TOYOTA RECOVERED SOME FAILED IGNITION CONTROL MODULES FROM THEFIELD. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A SOLDER JOINT IN THE POWER TRANSISTOROF THE MODULE WAS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. BECAUSE THE PART IS AN EMISSIONRELATED COMPONENT A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED.THE PREDOMINANT MODE OF FAILURE IS AN INABILITY TO START THE ENGINE,ALTHOUGH A STALLED CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.SINCE THE REPORTED OCCURENCE OF ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS SMALL, AND THEREPAIR IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN, THELIKLEHOOD OF FURTHER ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IS REMOTE.===
1985 Toyota Van Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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