RoadVitals

1985 Ford Econoline Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Ford Econoline, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 557769 · filed Nov 20, 2000

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ID 515564 · filed Mar 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 26, 2000

(FIRESTONE R17) TIRE FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ID 548484 · filed Sep 13, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN COMING STEP DOWN GRADING BRAKES OVER HEATED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TT

NHTSA ID 963098 · filed Apr 5, 1995

PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT END NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ID 480970 · filed Jan 20, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP WHEN ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *DSH

NHTSA ID 504094 · filed May 6, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 504461 · filed Apr 26, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA ID 515564 · filed Mar 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 557769 · filed Nov 20, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 980591 · filed Mar 12, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .