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1985 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 28 owner complaints about the 1985 Ford F-150, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

96
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years96% below the F-150 median · #40 of 42 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2810 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem10Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 22, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Ford F-150 has problems

28 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 system102
Engine and engine cooling44
Structure30
Suspension30
Tires31
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Steering11
Vehicle speed control10
Equipment10
4 other systems41

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

1 recall

1985 Ford F-150 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.

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 F-150 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 F-150 median. How we score

'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRESDP89005 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  2. FUEL LEAKS/FIRESPE87017 · closed May 26, 1987
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

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

1985 FORD F-150 HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *KB WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE CONSUMER DRIFTED OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. *JB
Complaint 10166908 · Aug 22, 2006
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE POURED THROUGH VENTILATION. EVERY NOW AND THEN, OWNER SMELLS WIRES BURNING W/CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Complaint 979298 · Feb 16, 1996
THE HORN BUTTONS ARE NOT LARGE ENOUGH, THE SEAT SHOULDER BELT IS TOO HIGH UP, IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO REMOVE SPARE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. TT
Complaint 967390 · Jun 21, 1995

Own a 1985 F-150?

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