1985 Ford F250
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1985 Ford F250. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1985 Ford F250. Newest first.
Trucks fail to meet requirement of fmvss no. 301, fuel system integrity, in a 30 mph front angular barrier test impact because of the omission of the nose shield on midship fuel tank. consequence of defect: in case of an accident, fuel…
Metal burrs and sharp edges on fuel rails may have damaged adjacent o-ring seals during assembly. The defect could cause fuel leakage when engine IS operating.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Fuel rails will be inspected for leaks, wetness or seepage of fuel and, if necessary, fuel rails and related components will be replaced without cost to the owner.
Owner complaints
21 complaints1 involved a crash7 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure
The firewall cracked, which reduced the braking capability of the vehicle.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The hauling camper had numerous engine shut offs at various speeds due to ignition module failure. This failure caused loss of power steering and brakes. The consumer states that the manufacturer should correct this design defect. *Yh
- Tires › Sidewall
Wrangler loadrange e LT 235/85r16, dot unknown, replacement tires with 70000 miles on a 1985 ford, F250. All 4 tires showed sidewall cracks. *ak dot mdor 1 dov 155, tires have sidewall cracks near the rim on both the inside and outside. *slc
- Tires
Firestone has had problems with these tires for more than just the past few years but has always refused to acknowledge the problem. When the 1ST tire came apart, I was traveling down the highway with a cab-over camper on the truck and towing a motorcycle trailer. The only damage was to the rim…
Firestone has had problems with these tires for more than just the past few years but has always refused to acknowledge the problem. When the 1ST tire came apart, I was traveling down the highway with a cab-over camper on the truck and towing a motorcycle trailer. The only damage was to the rim from riding on the pavement to a stop. When the 2ND tire came apart the truck was sitting in the driveway and I was inspecting the tire .half of the skin from the left side of my face was removed, my left eye was severly abraded and the eye socket was broken, both ear drums were blown out and my cochlea (the part of the inner ear that controls balance) was permanently damaged, and my left arm and left side of my chest were badly cut. I have pictures of both tire failures and of my injured self. I contacted several lawyers at the time and was told that I had no case against firestone because I had actually used their off-road tires off-road. Both failures occurred when the tires were fairly new and low mileage. All 4 tires developed problems within a month of purchase.( dot number: tire size: 33x12r16.5 )
- Power train › Axle assembly
The right rear axle brok.e, caused us to hit the bridge on the right and then richocheted us to the left and we hit a 5 ton tow truck. which totaled the pickup into a million pieces. we have pictures of the accident scene. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
Duel fuel tanks are leaking. please provide more details. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Smoke poured out of all heating vents - smelled like burning leaves. Truck was shut off and smoke ceased. Turned heating lever to off and went to dealer .
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Applies pressure, does not appear back brakes are working properly, changed brake shoes/vaccuum pump, still having problem. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
When trying to put the driver's side seat belt into the belt buckle, the seat belt will not latch into to the buckle properly. *ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device · Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Suspension › Front › Shock absorber · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
Water pump failed and replaced.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Glow plug timing module failed. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire. *Sd
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column becomes very warm to the touch when driving for a length of time. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving, noticed smoke coming from underhood;investigated, wires burning;pulled wires away source of power;restarted ignition, vehicle caught 0N fire. *Ak *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Electrical short in the ignition switch, consumer smelled burning wiring in the vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
About 2:00 a.m. Heard noises outside of house, looked outside, the vehicle cab was engulfed in flames, completely destroyed with camper shell. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gaskets cracked. *Sd
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Brake line rusted out and pedal faded to the floor. tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake pedal IS inconsistent when applying w/poor response. Failure unknown w/almost entire system replaced. Please describe details. tt
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Purchase used was driving turn on the air conditioner and truck start to smoke it was leaf that came from the vent . tt
- Fuel system, gasoline
Vehicle caught fire while driving, under the hood, flames near the fuel tank, will provide more information. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel injector pump fails
There is no summary currently available
- F-series fuel tank fires
F-series fuel tank fires
- Fuel leaks/fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires.leaks from fuel lines may also be acontributing cause to the engine compartment…
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughoutthe engine compartment causing fires.leaks from fuel lines may also be acontributing cause to the engine compartment fires.---------------------------------------------------------------------------analysis:data indicates that the alleged problem may be caused by thespring lock quick connect couplings which connect the fuel supply andreturn lines to the engine as well as fuel leakage from the fuel lines.---------------------------------------------------------------------------proposed action: upgrade this pe to an ea.(ea87-020)===
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.
- 3055147Unknown
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601281A no start or hard start condition may occur on some vehicles due to the glow plug control system.
- 601036Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51669Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement.
- 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.
- 42080Unknown
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
- 39892There may be a concern of poor performance, coolant in the oil and engine knocking and/or hydraulic lock on some vehicles.
Every Ford F250 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.