1985 Ford Ranger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Ford Ranger, 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
- Electrical1135.5%
- Visibility412.9%
- Engine39.7%
- Interior & seats26.5%
- Powertrain (other)26.5%
- Fuel system26.5%
- Tires & wheels26.5%
- Transmission26.5%
- Suspension26.5%
- Steering13.2%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS CUTTING OFF BECAUSE IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE. ONCE AT 80,000,AND AGAIN AT 200,000 MILES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
STALLS AT ANY TEMPERATURE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED I HAVE TO ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MOVING W/O STALLING. HEATER GETS ALMOST TOO HOT.
STREAM AND LIQUID CAME OUT OF HEATER SYSTEM, BURNED DRIVER'S LEG AND FOOT, CAN NOT USE HEATER. *CJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
STALLS AT ANY TEMPERATURE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED I HAVE TO ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MOVING W/O STALLING. HEATER GETS ALMOST TOO HOT.
INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALL.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DASH FIRE. *DH
REAR SCREWS OF DRIVERS SEAST HAVE SHEARED OFF. FRONT SEATS ARE ALSO LOCATED RIGHT ON TOP OF THE WHEEL BASE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLS AT ALL SPEEDS, IT APPEARS TO BE A MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR, PLACED NEAR ENGINE BLOCK. ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH SPEEDOMETER CABLE.
THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S U JOINT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BREAK DAMAGING THE FUEL TANK AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLS AT ALL SPEEDS, IT APPEARS TO BE A MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR, PLACED NEAR ENGINE BLOCK. ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH SPEEDOMETER CABLE.
THE CARBURETOR RADIATOR HAD TO REPLACE ABOUT THREE TIME PURCHASE CAR USED. TT
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
3 TIRES WITHIN 3 MONTHS HAD TREAD COME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: AUVRUR351 TIRESIZE: LT2.15/75R)
VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PARK IN IDLE POSITION, JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR SCREWS OF DRIVERS SEAST HAVE SHEARED OFF. FRONT SEATS ARE ALSO LOCATED RIGHT ON TOP OF THE WHEEL BASE.
TRANSMISSION FAILED (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 480880). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR AXLE FAILED. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601571) *DH
LEFT REAR AXLE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DH
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
OUTER STEERING RING IS COMING APART, WOBBLING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. AREA DEALERS ARE AWARE OF SAME FAILURES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .