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1985 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 1985 Ford Escort, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

86
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years84% below the Escort median · #18 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2611 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 30, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Ford Escort has problems

26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system95
Engine and engine cooling52
Power train30
Seat belts30
Fuel system, gasoline32
Air bags11
Visibility10
Exterior lighting10
Fuel system, other10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1985 Ford Escort recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 89V-170 · Oct 13, 1989 · 1,375,500 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LIMITED DEGREE OF ROCKING MOTIONOF THE DRIVERS SEAT ASSEMBLY UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, WHICH COULDCAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 89V-095 · Jun 12, 1989 · 481,049 vehicles

Risk. ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD COULDRESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other Escort year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escort median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Ford Escort, and the recalls they led to.

  1. WINDOW SHATTERINGDP87032 · closed Apr 27, 1988
    No recall
  2. REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCEDP88007 · closed Aug 24, 1988
    No recall
  3. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  4. FIRESEA87005 · closed Oct 31, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-095
  5. SEAT TRACKSEA87023 · closed Nov 16, 1989
    Led to recall 89V-170
  6. REAR SAFETY BELT FITEA88038 · closed May 11, 1990
    No recall
  7. FIRESPE86048 · closed Dec 1, 1986
    No recall
  8. SEAT TRACK FAILUREPE87026 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    No recall
  9. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

EXPERIENCED FIRE UNDERHOOD. *TT CONSUMER STATES FIRE STARTED IN THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL,VEHICLE ALSO STARTED BY ITSELF.*JB
Complaint 979180 · Feb 13, 1996
DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED AND CAR STALLS OUT 'IT WILL ONLY START AFTER THE CAR SETS FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THIS HAS HAPPEND SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
Complaint 740631 · Feb 8, 2001

Own a 1985 Escort?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.