1985 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 37.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Fuel System, Diesel: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl): 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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. 8 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
1995: 2; 1996: 4; 2000: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 480970 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT END NOISE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504094 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP WHEN ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504461 · 1996-04-26 (April 26, 1996)
TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO 2 PARKED CARS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557769 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SO HOT THE CONSUMER COULD NOT PLACE THEIR HAND ON IT, IT ALSO HAD A BURNING SMELL. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729172 · 2000-08-26 (August 26, 2000)
REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT ON JULY 24, 1999. PURCHASED (2) NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE ON JULY 30, 1999 AND HAD THEM PUT ON BACK AND MOVED OLDER TIRES TO REAR. NOTICED SEVERE VIBRATION AND TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE AND THEY FOUND TREAD SEPARATION. I DID NOT REALIZE TIRES HAD PROBLEMS UNTIL I READ ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEWSPAPER.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225-75-R1 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963098 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN COMING STEP DOWN GRADING BRAKES OVER HEATED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980591 · 1996-03-12 (March 12, 1996)
VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. OWNER RECEIVED BURNS AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983569 · 1996-04-26 (April 26, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED 45 MINUTES, ENGINE QUIT, SMOKE STARTED COMING IN FROM UNDERHOOD;OPENED HOOD, DISCONNECTED BATTERY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983569 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V061000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 1985-05-14 (May 14, 1985)
WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V094000 · Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:Connection
Reported: 1986-07-15 (July 15, 1986)
THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V111000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1987-07-16 (July 16, 1987)
FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK FROM VAPOR VALVE AND BECOME THE SOURCE OFFUEL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V113000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
Reported: 1987-07-21 (July 21, 1987)
EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
Consequence: FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V144000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
Reported: 1987-09-09 (September 9, 1987)
VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
Consequence: THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗