1985 Ford Thunderbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Thunderbird › 1985
These records cover every 1985 Ford Thunderbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1985 Ford Thunderbird. Newest first.
Brake master cylinders may have improperly anodized internal surfaces causing accelerated wear of a piston seal. consequence of defect: one portion of the split brake system would become ineffective resulting in increased stopping distance which…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Master cylinders built on january 9, 1985 will be replaced.
Owner complaints
14 complaints1 involved a crash5 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Upon turning on the ignition switch with a key, I began to smell a burning smell. I turned off ignition and inspected the source which seem to come from steering column. After removing the steering wheel cover, I notice that the ignition switch unit had black burnt looking places on it. I decided to remove the unit and replace it. The car was stationary in the driveway of our home. *tr
- Electrical system › Ignition
Ignition module system failure caused the shut off of gasoline flow immediately with no chance of restart. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition
My first complaint IS about the ignition switch in the steering column. While atempting to pull into traffic my vehicle completely died as if I had turned off the key. Luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road and just barely avoided being hit. The car would not restart unless I jiggled…
My first complaint IS about the ignition switch in the steering column. While atempting to pull into traffic my vehicle completely died as if I had turned off the key. Luckily I was able to coast to the side of the road and just barely avoided being hit. The car would not restart unless I jiggled the key. I called a ford dealer and they said my car was not covered under the recall but the told me how to fix the problem. I replaced the switch and the car IS running fine now. However it took a long time to remove the switch due to the fact that it had melted to the wiring harness. I still have the part in my possession. My other complaint IS regarding the stator pick-up assembly under the base of the distributor cap. Not once but twice I have had to replace this assembly due the fact that it had melted and fell apart. In this instance my family was with me at a very dangerous intersection where it took me roughly 20 minutes to get the car to refire enough to move it out of harms way. All the car would do IS start up run enough to roll it a little more forward. I attempted to push the car but because of the traffic I gave up rather than being struck by another vehicle. Again I called ford and they informed me that my car was not covered under the recall for this particular part. What I would like to know IS if there IS some organization that might be able to help me or perhaps you could provide me with information as to what legal group I might be able to contact.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ignition switch intermittently fails and blows fuses.
- Vehicle speed control
Had parked vehicle & left for awhile. Returned to vehicle & entered. Started vehicle & was moving when vehicle suddenly accelerated & took off for no reason. Foot on brakes at time. Vehicle hit 2 parked vehicles & a fence. Driver was injured. *ak
- Seats
Seatback failed due to a bolt disconnecting. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Car was parked and caught on fire. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The ignition caught on fire and burned, all the wire had to be replaced. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire. *Sd
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes don't hold. *Dsh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle was parked in driveway, under the hood fire, electrical short. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
When vehicle IS first started, smelled of wiring burning for a period of 10 minutes, electrical short. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Master cylinder failed twice, prior to recall. (85V025000) *dsh
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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.
- 3010700Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 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.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Thunderbird model year
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