RoadVitals

1985 Ford Econoline

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
10
Latest Nov 20, 2000
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.
6
Latest Aug 27, 2007
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.
0
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Ford Econoline, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and brakes categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical325.0%
  • Tires & wheels216.7%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Steering18.3%
  • Transmission18.3%
  • Visibility18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Interior & seats18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
87V144000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Sep 9, 1987
188,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
The risk: THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
87V113000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Jul 21, 1987
16,000 units potentially affected
The defect: EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
The risk: FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 20, 2000

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC

NHTSA ID
557769
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 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 )

NHTSA ID
729172
Incident
Jul 16, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 13, 1999

(FIRESTONE R17) TIRE FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ID
548484
Incident
Jun 9, 1999
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 11, 1997

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ID
515564
Incident
Oct 7, 1996
Steering
Filed May 6, 1996

STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP WHEN ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *DSH

NHTSA ID
504094
Incident
Aug 11, 1994
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED 45 MINUTES, ENGINE QUIT, SMOKE STARTED COMING IN FROM UNDERHOOD;OPENED HOOD, DISCONNECTED BATTERY. *AK

NHTSA ID
983569
Incident
Jul 15, 1994
Transmission
Filed Apr 26, 1996
Crash reported

TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO 2 PARKED CARS. *SD

NHTSA ID
504461
Incident
Mar 5, 1996
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 12, 1996
Fire reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. OWNER RECEIVED BURNS AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
980591
Incident
Nov 26, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

9888

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Econoline by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025000—
2019120—
2018020—
2017310—
2016311—
2015011—
2014011—
2013011—
2012111—
2011011—
2010111—
2009111—
2007020—
2006020—
2005020—
2003224154.9
2002234155.8
2001285155.5
2000395157.8
1999847158.0
1998464148.3
1997794157.7
1996815161.9
1995736158.3
19941246364.3
1993655054.1
1992835264.1
1991243254.5
1990304055.4
1989322155.2
1988220042.6
1987155053.9
1986760—
1985Viewing106060.3
1984770—
1983260—
1982130—
1981020—
1980140—
1979180—
1978020—
1977030—
1976020—
1975020—
1972010—
1971010—
1969030—
1967010—

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.