1985 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 1985
These records cover every 1985 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1985 Ford Escort. Newest first.
The forward outboard pedestal of the seat track of driver's seat may be susceptible to fatigue fracture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in a limited degree of rocking motionof the drivers seat assembly upon acceleration or deceleration, which couldcause an accident.
Remedy
Install a reinforcement on all models and a new seat track as necessary
External cracks above the number 3 cylinder (1984 models) or rocker arm cover gaskets splitting (1985 models) could allow oil to leak onto the exhaust manifold.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust manifold couldresult in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Replace cracked cylinder heads (1984 models); replace rocker arm cover gaskets (1985 models).
The throttle lever may not return to idle position due to misalignment of the air conditioner shut off switch to the throttle lever pin. consequence of defect: a jammed throttle could result in a…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Adjust shutoff switch and assure proper alignment to throttle lever pin.
Owner complaints
26 complaints1 involved a crash9 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving on highway vehicle stalled. vehicle checked by dealer, who determined problem with ignition module. currently, vehicle will not start. also vehicle emits fumes that smell like acetone. consumer was afraid to purchase new ignition module for fear that vehicle may catch on fire.*ak…
While driving on highway vehicle stalled. vehicle checked by dealer, who determined problem with ignition module. currently, vehicle will not start. also vehicle emits fumes that smell like acetone. consumer was afraid to purchase new ignition module for fear that vehicle may catch on fire.*ak exhaust, ignition switch, alternator, volt regulator, ignition distributor and coil replaced however fumes were still prominent. *tt
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Put a stop to high intensity discharge headlights: when an SUV with those lights comes up behine me, even a flipped down rearview mirror does not protect me. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Parking brake · Power train › Manual transmission · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The rubber boot surrounding the gear shift lever IS so tight, that in cold weather it will pull lever out of gear and into neutral, when the vehicle was parked, it put itself into neutral and rolled down a hill and hit a parked car, consumer had vehicle inspected and was told by dealership they could not find anything wrong. *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
Driving at road speed and car stalls out 'it will only start after the car sets for about 15 minutes this has happend several times. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Constant oil leak onto the manifold which requires me to use a heavier oil so it wont run out. oil leaking on many area's of the engine which can possibly cause a fire. my concern IS what IS being done regarding the oil leak problem recall and where do I go to get it corrected. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
A plastic part inside of the seat belt buckle has become brittle, reducing the strength of the seat belt. Even though it latched normally, my belt buckle fell apart as I was driving. I examined the same plastic part on the passenger-side seatbelt, (which has almost never been used), and found that…
A plastic part inside of the seat belt buckle has become brittle, reducing the strength of the seat belt. Even though it latched normally, my belt buckle fell apart as I was driving. I examined the same plastic part on the passenger-side seatbelt, (which has almost never been used), and found that it was brittle and falling apart as well. This plastic part holds in position a metal bar, around which the seat-belt webbing wraps. The plastic becomes brittle with age, and can allow the metal bar to fall out of the buckle, releasing the seat belt. This belt design IS in millions of ford vehicles on the road today, all of which may be susceptible to seat-belt failure in an accident due to this deteriorating plastic part. Frankly, it IS amazing to me that such an important part of the seat belts IS made out of plastic. Even worse, it IS a plastic that disintegrates with age.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle fire due to faulty ignition switch.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle jumps out of gear while in park and running. This condition damages vehicle. dealer/mfr. Not notifed at this time. *ak
- Seats
The spring that support the seat cushions were cutting through the material around their attachment holes.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Electronic fuel injector failed.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire.
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving at a speed 60mph impact 6:00 position, driver and passenger lap/shoulder belts failed,impact 12:00 positions , dual airbags did not deploy. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine lost power, caught fire. *Dh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Fire started in the ignition column, totally burned. *ak
- Fuel system, other
Gas gauge inoperative. *Sd
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch shorted, causing fire. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Experienced fire underhood. Please give more details. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
After a heavy rain the vehicle will not shift or go over 50mph and there IS no power. Please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Experienced fire underhood. *Tt consumer states fire started in the vehicle dashboard and steering wheel,vehicle also started by itself.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Failure of the ignition switch bad smell from the ignition. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline
The owner was driving when she noticed that burning smell and driver pulled over and opened the hood and smoke and fire was everywhere. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline
While driving auto, consumer noticed smoke, while attempting to get help and looked back the auto went in flames. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Lap/shoulder buckle fell apart on driver side, also the passenger IS experience problem. tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fire. *skd
- Visibility › Windshield
Dashboard reflects on windshield, impairing visibility. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Rear safety belt fit
===
- Rear seat belt compliance
Rear seat belt compliance
- Seat tracks
Summary: a fractured front seat track received from an escort owner showsthat metal fatigue occurred which could cause partial movement of the seat.another owner sent pictures showing fracture at the same location. Tenof the eighteen odi complaints have been received in the past four months.manufacturer information…
Summary: a fractured front seat track received from an escort owner showsthat metal fatigue occurred which could cause partial movement of the seat.another owner sent pictures showing fracture at the same location. Tenof the eighteen odi complaints have been received in the past four months.manufacturer information: ford made two significant modifications to theseat track; one incorporated a double latch system, locking both the in-board and outboard track assemblies, and the other added web depth in thefront and rear of the seat track.ford provided a total of 1,741 warranty claims concerning seat trackfailure on the subject vehicles.they believe that fracture of the seat track causes a limited rockingmotion and IS not a safety problem.proposed action: ir to ford sent 10/9/87.test request sent to etf10/21/87.
- Window shattering
Window shattering
- Stalling
No safety defect trend has been detected.===
- Seat track failure
Summary: a fractured front seat track received from an escort owner showsthat metal fatigue occurred which could cause partial movement of the seat.another owner sent pictures showing fracture at the same location. Tenof the eighteen odi complaints have been received in the past four months.manufacturer information…
Summary: a fractured front seat track received from an escort owner showsthat metal fatigue occurred which could cause partial movement of the seat.another owner sent pictures showing fracture at the same location. Tenof the eighteen odi complaints have been received in the past four months.manufacturer information: ford made two significant modifications to theseat track; one incorporated a double latch system, locking both the in-board and outboard track assemblies, and the other added web depth in thefront and rear of the seat track.ford provided a total of 1,741 warranty claims concerning seat trackfailure on the subject vehicles.they believe that fracture of the seat track causes a limited rockingmotion and IS not a safety problem.proposed action: close this pe, open an ea, and send another ir to ford.===
- Fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result froma variety of causes.fire rate remains about the same despite majorchanges with 85-1/2 models.it believes that the fire rate IS less thanindustry average.mfgr request copies of specific fire reports for trendanalysis.analysis:several areas of fire…
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result froma variety of causes.fire rate remains about the same despite majorchanges with 85-1/2 models.it believes that the fire rate IS less thanindustry average.mfgr request copies of specific fire reports for trendanalysis.analysis:several areas of fire origin are mentioned.engine firesallegedly caused by leakage of flammable fluids (oil, gas, trans fluid).catalytic converters frequently cited as overheating.certain modelsare reported at a greater frequency.exp turbo reported most often on aper unit basis.status: ir sent 2/19/88. Awaiting response.===
- Fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result from a wide variety of causes, with the reportedrates of fires for 1984-85 models versus the 85 1/2 models remainingapproximately the same.these rates are signifigantly less than theindustry average for non-collision vehicle fires as reported in the…
Summary of information from manufacturer:the alleged fires result from a wide variety of causes, with the reportedrates of fires for 1984-85 models versus the 85 1/2 models remainingapproximately the same.these rates are signifigantly less than theindustry average for non-collision vehicle fires as reported in the saepaper motor vehicle non-crash fires by peter cooley of the hsri.the head gasket was revised on the 1.9L 2V or efi engines to service oilleaks on the intake manifold side of the engine.analysis:a review of the reported incidents showed 8 groups of probable causation:a)appears to be catalytic converter related:~30%b)wiring beneath rear seat:~5%c)oil leaks from cracked cylinder heads or blocks}:~5-10%d)oil leaks from poorly fitted valve covers: ~5%e)electrical fires in engine compartment: ~5%f)electrical fires in interior or under dash: ~5%g)fuel related fires: ~9%IN comparison to the other classified probable causes, the exhaust systemrelated fires appear to be overly represented.a catalytic convertermalfunction or the environmental unsuitability of adjacent materials arepotential causes.however, both this and other hypotheses requirefurther study to determine whether a safety defect exists. All appearto need lab or field testing.proposed action:upgrade this preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis.===
- Seatback failure
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…
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.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3011600Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 618599Concerns with premature failure occuring on the 1.9L motorcraft remanufactured longblock assembly and shortblock assembly due to ingestion of foreign objects remaining in the transferred intake system from the original failed engine.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45947Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.