RoadVitals

1985 Ford Mustang

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.
16
Latest Jan 30, 2009
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.
4
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.
6
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Ford Mustang, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 21 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

  • Seat belts420.0%
  • Electrical315.0%
  • Fuel system315.0%
  • Engine210.0%
  • Transmission210.0%
  • Interior & seats210.0%
  • Visibility15.0%
  • Steering15.0%

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
92V063000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Apr 29, 1992
306,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
The risk: IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
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.

EA91003ClosedEngineering Analysis

SAFETY BELT TONGUE BREAKS

Opened Oct 29, 1990
Closed Apr 30, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 92V063000
PE89118ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

Opened Apr 19, 1989
Closed Sep 6, 1989

===

EQUIPMENT
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 16
Fuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2009

FUEL PUMP INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. SOMETIMES I HEAR IT KICK IN AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, LIKE TODAY AFTER WORK. I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP IN 2004 AND THE FUEL FILTER TO THE TUNE OF $550.00. I WAS NOT GIVEN THE OLD PARTS. I AM WORRIED I MAY HAVE TO GET IT DONE AGAIN TOMORROW. I THINK THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP ROBBED ME. THEY CHARGED ME 189.59 FOR THE PUMP AND 16.48 FOR THE FILTER. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS CAB FARES, BUMMING RIDES AND THE MENTAL ANGUISH OF WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL START. I AM FEMALE AND WORRIED ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256997
Incident
Jan 30, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE HAD REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. *NM THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ROADWAY WAS DAMP. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLID MAKING THE CONSUMER LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10109579
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Seat belts
Filed Sep 11, 2003

SEAT BELT WAS RECALLED IN 1992. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED, AND THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT REPAIRS WERE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LATCHING PROPERLY, AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10039778
Incident
Aug 27, 2003
Mileage
40,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 2, 2003

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK ON CAMPAIGN # 92V063000. HE SAID HE COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE MY VIN # DIDN'T COME UP. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10013853
Incident
Apr 2, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 24, 1998

MULTIPLE CLUTCH FAILURES, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS, AND THEN CRANKSHAFT BROKE AT 160,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
780503
Steering
Filed May 6, 1996
Fire reported

AFTER AUTO WAS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW IT, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND IT WAS FLAMES IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
984074
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 1996

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
983036
Electrical
Filed Apr 17, 1996
Fire reported

PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, UNDERHOOD FIRE IGNITED; ALL WIRES MELTED DOWN; ACCORDING TO FIRE DEPT, COULD BE CAUSED BE ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

NHTSA ID
982850
Incident
Mar 20, 1996

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

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

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

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 Mustang by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026530—
2025145057.1
20247311058.9
2023156062.7
2022499060.2
2021556059.4
20201178170.4
20191426056.1
20181864056.4
20172646163.4
20163715158.4
201543611363.5
20143594054.6
20132716052.2
20124697154.0
20114665153.0
20102606052.5
20091816055.6
20083478462.7
20076159462.7
20064229358.8
20057059358.2
20041166364.9
20031456368.0
20021186161.3
20011738162.6
20003119163.8
199921310163.9
199823614265.3
199717611261.3
199624612361.8
199560216466.0
199435613464.3
19931017168.6
1992695372.1
1991776269.6
1990855372.8
19891095472.0
19881085573.3
1987385673.3
1986302568.0
1985Viewing163470.8
1984184467.0
1983513—
1982114—
1981024—
1980422—
1979072—
1978350—
1977030—
1976230—
1975001—
1974010—
1973010—
1972010—
1971010—
1970020—
1969340—
1968120—
1967250—
1966410—
1965410—

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.