1985 Ford F150: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 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 is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
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 | 4 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 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. 21 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 | 8 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 8; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10015758 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON 04/10/03 THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOW OUT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON 04/12/03 THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND ALMOST CAUSED A DANGEROUS COLLISION. TIRE INFO: DAYTON, RADIAL STAG ST 31X10.50R15LT, DOT-V060U6A118, NOT ORIGINAL, 90% OF TREAD INTACT, 2K-3K MILES ON TIRES AT TIME OF FAILURE. *NLM.....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166908 · 2006-08-22 (August 22, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10166908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504826 · 1996-05-15 (May 15, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560379 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF THEN SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 562536 · 2001-08-16 (August 16, 2001)
THE FIRESTONE DEALER REFUSED TO PROCESS A RECALL CLAIM FOR THE FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES FROM COPIES PRESENTED BY THE CONSUMER (FIRESTONE ATX). *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 564449 · 2002-02-21 (February 21, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT IT GOT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS, HE WAS TOLD WHEN THEY TOOK THE STEERING COLUMN APART EVERYTHING FELL OUT. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 564449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731183 · 2000-09-12 (September 12, 2000)
I HAVE JUST SEEN THE TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THE TFI MODULES AND I THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MY FORD. IT IS A 85 F-150 THAT I STILL USE. IT HAS HAD TWO TFI MODULES REPLACED. THE TRUCK IS AT HOME AND THE PAPERWORK, VIN, ETC ARE THERE. IF YOU WISH MORE INFO, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL BE GLAD TO SUPPLY IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 733327 · 2000-10-03 (October 3, 2000)
I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE OF TWO (2) TFI MODULES ON MY 1985 F-150. I STILL OWN AND USE THIS TRUCK. I HAVE SEEN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT FOMOCO KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WANTED TO PASS THIS INFORMATION ON. ALSO, I HAVE PETITIONED FOMOCO FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $694.74 THAT THE DEALERS CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE TFI MODULES. FOMOCO REFUSED. THANK YOU. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 733327 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
84V162000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 1984-12-26 (December 26, 1984)
METAL BURRS AND SHARP EDGES ON FUEL RAILS MAY HAVE DAMAGED ADJACENT O-RING SEALS DURING ASSEMBLY. THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN ENGINE IS OPERATING.
Remedy: FUEL RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS, WETNESS OR SEEPAGE OF FUEL AND, IF NECESSARY, FUEL RAILS AND RELATED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗