RoadVitals

1985 Ford LTD

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.
17
Latest Mar 13, 2001
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.
3
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.
2
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.
7
5 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Ford LTD, most frequently naming the electrical, seat belts and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 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

  • Electrical844.4%
  • Seat belts316.7%
  • Engine211.1%
  • Driver assistance211.1%
  • Brakes15.6%
  • Steering15.6%
  • Tires & wheels15.6%

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

3 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
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
85V077000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

Jun 11, 1985
8,671 units potentially affected
The defect: HEAT SHIELDS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPES WERE OMITTED DURING PRODUCTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: AFTER SEVERE DUTY USE, SUCH AS HIGH SPEED PURSUIT, THE OUTLET PIPES BECOME VERY HOT AND COULD IGNITE CERTAIN TYPES OF GROUND COVER RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPE SHIELDS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
85V068000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

May 21, 1985
14,008 units potentially affected
The defect: BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: REPEATED BRAKE USE COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO CRACK AND THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY TO COME APART. SERVICE BRAKES CAPABILITY WOULD BE TOTALLY LOST WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE87028ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STALLING

Opened May 1, 1987
Closed Jan 21, 1988

NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EA86010ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEATBACK FAILURE

Opened Mar 26, 1986
Closed Jul 28, 1989

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND THUNDERBIRD/COUGAR.FORD SOLD ABOUT 110,000 REPLACEMENT MIO BOLTS, MAINLY FOR 1983 AND 1984MODELS. LOW CLAMPING FORCE APPEARS TO BE A LARGE PART OF THE PROBLEM.FORD INCREASED THE TORQUE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED THE USE OF A MANUALTORQUE TOOL IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 1985 PRODUCTION CHANGES. 1987 MODELSWILL BE PRODUCED WITH A LONGER M10 BOLT AND A NUT TO INCREASE AND MAIN-TAIN CLAMPING FORCE. BOLTS WERE FORMERLY SELF TAPPING. REPORTS LISTEDABOVE SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT THE BOLT BROKE. NONE REFER SIMPLY TOSEAT BACK COLLAPSE ALONE.STATUS:FORD REPLY TO ODI IR DATED 2/2/87.FORD RECALLED 195,7321984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986 (86V-082). ANALYZING REPONSE,MONITORING CANADIAN PROGRESS. RESPONSE TO 4/6/87 LETTER TO FORDRECEIVED 7/15/87. WILL PROBABLY CLOSE AFTER CANADA COMPLETES THEIRACTIONS.===

SEATSLed to recall 86V082000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 17
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2001
Fire reported

TUBE RUNNING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD 1/2 SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH FLOORBOARD ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
882945
Incident
Feb 26, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2001

THE THICK FILM MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM

NHTSA ID
559396
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2000

THE CONSUMER HAS SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STALLING IS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. *MJS

NHTSA ID
557804
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 4, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TREAD ON RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATED. *AK DOT # EJR1DEK116, TIRE SIZE P215 75 R15. *SLC

NHTSA ID
872259
Incident
Sep 30, 2000
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2000

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HOT/STALLED OUT DUE TO TFI IGNITION MODULE BEING TOO CLOSE AND MOUNTED ON THE SIDE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
861485
Engine
Filed May 20, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, VEHICLE IS CUTTING OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
838220
Incident
Apr 12, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 1998

PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY, RESULTING IN VACUUM LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
523015
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 1997
Fire reported

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD TO CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID
808869
Incident
Feb 10, 1997

Manufacturer communications

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

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

9852

TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

962612

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW

96246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

96221

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW

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 LTD by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000200—
1999000—
1997000—
1996100—
1995200—
1993100—
1992200—
1991300—
1990200—
1989800—
1988600—
1987100—
1986912—
1985Viewing173270.9
1984143370.6
1983522—
1982031—
1981050—
1980030—
1979290—
1978030—
1977020—
1976011—
1975040—
1974250—
1973050—
1972020—
1971001—
1970100—
1968010—

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.