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U.S. public vehicle records

1985 Ford F250 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

16 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 16 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior425.0%
Steering behavior212.5%
Engine operation16.3%
Electrical and battery issues16.3%
Fuel system concerns16.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module1
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank1

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
5
1996
5
2000
3
2001
2
2003
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19955
19965
20003
20012
20031

1995: 5; 1996: 5; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2003: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10006837 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

THE FIREWALL CRACKED, WHICH REDUCED THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006837 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 501477 · 1995-10-03 (October 3, 1995)

BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AND PEDAL FADED TO THE FLOOR. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501477 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 504135 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)

STEERING COLUMN BECOMES VERY WARM TO THE TOUCH WHEN DRIVING FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504135 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 785681 · 2001-09-20 (September 20, 2001)

THE HAULING CAMPER HAD NUMEROUS ENGINE SHUT OFFS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785681 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 983900 · 1996-05-01 (May 1, 1996)

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983900 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 962808 · 1995-03-30 (March 30, 1995)

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING, UNDER THE HOOD, FLAMES NEAR THE FUEL TANK, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962808 at NHTSA ↗