RoadVitals

1985 Federal Motors Federal

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 22, 1986
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Federal Motors Federal. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
86V066000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

May 22, 1986
650 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING WHEEL TO STEERING COLUMN SECURING NUT MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN AND/OR IMPROPERLY TORQUED AND MAY LOOSEN. THIS ALLOWS THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DISENGAGED OR DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DISENGAGED OR DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: PROPERLY INSTALL AND TORQUE COLOR CODED SECURING NUTS TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION.
FEDERAL MOTORS INC.View on NHTSA.gov
85V166000

WHEELS

Dec 18, 1985
10 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT BUDD WHEELS OF A LOWER THAN REQUIRED LOAD RATING WERE INSTALLED ON SOME TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THESE WHEELS CAUSES THE FIRE TRUCKS TO BE IN NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 120 AND MAY FAIL DURING USE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE LOW LOAD RATING WHEELS ARE INSTALLED THEY MAY BREAK DURING USE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NOTE: TRUCKS SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL CORRECTIVE ACTION IS COMPLETED.
The remedy: INSTALL PROPER WHEELS.
FEDERAL MOTORS INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE88068ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

VARIOUS BRAKE PROBLEMS

Opened Jun 28, 1988
Closed Nov 7, 1988

SUMMARY: RECENT ROCKWELL REPORTS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: A: INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE DUE TO INADEQUATE AIR COMPRESSORCAPACITY; B: AIR HORN PLUMBED INTO AIR SYSTEM WITHOUT PRESSURE PROTECTIONVALVE; C: BRAKE IMBALANCE CAUSED BY BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVES WHICHREDUCE THE FRONT BRAKE PRESSURE. THE ABOVE PROBLEMS MAY RESULT IN HEAT CHECKING AND CRACKING OF THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 88V171000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Federal Motors Federal by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1986011—
1985Viewing021—
1984011—
1983011—
1982001—
1981001—
1980001—
1979001—
1978001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.