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1985 Ford F-350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1985 Ford F-350, most often about the tires. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints41 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage5kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 27, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Ford F-350 has problems

4 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
Tires20
Engine and engine cooling11
Fuel system, gasoline10

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

1 recall

1985 Ford F-350 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-350 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-350 median. How we score

'67'68'69'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Ford F-350, 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
  3. ANTIFREEZE UNDERHOOD FIRESPE89022 · closed Jul 12, 1989
    No recall
  4. FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILSPE94065 · closed Dec 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-350 owners report

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

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING WITH THE TIRES: RIGHT REAR BLOWOUT, LEFT TIRE SEPARATION, RIGHT FRONT DEVELOPED A LARGE BUMP, FRONT LEFT WAS TAKEN OFF FOR SAFETY, AND THE REAR LEFT BLEW OUT WHILE STANDING IN THE GARAGE. (TIRES-KUHMO/MARSHAL VENTURE) SCC
Complaint 10003822 · Jan 27, 2003 · 5,000 miles
TREAD SEPARATION HOT DAY U S 40W OKLAHOMA CITY - DESTROYED ENTIRE FENDER LINER/WIRING AND DAMAGED BRAKE COMPONETS. NOW HAVE 8 R4S ON SAME TRUCK - ALL NEW - TWO NEW SPARES (TIRESIZE: LT235R16E)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT235R16E )
Complaint 733040 · Sep 30, 2000

Own a 1985 F-350?

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