VehicleVerdict

1985 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 1985 Ford E-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

4

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other E-250 years?

E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted56 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 31 complaints1998: 30 complaints1999: 56 complaints2000: 21 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Ford E-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System250%
Fuel System250%

Does the 1985 Ford E-250 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

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.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

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.

88V133000EngineAugust 9, 1988 · 14,975 units

Defect

EXTREME OPERATING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEATER HOSES OR ENGINE BYPASS HOSES.

Consequence

ENGINE COOLANT COULD DISCHARGE ONTO THE ENGINE AND ITSEXHAUST MANIFOLD CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE DUE TO THE HIGH ENGINEEXHAUST MANIFOLD TEMPERATURES.

Remedy

REPLACE HOSES AND RADIATOR CAPS; INSTALL HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE ALUMINIZED STAINLESS STEEL MUFFLERS.

87V144000EngineSeptember 9, 1987 · 188,000 units

Defect

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Consequence

THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

86V173000SteeringDecember 30, 1986 · 28,791 units

Defect

RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE AND CAUSE METAL TO METAL CONTACT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION COULD OCCUR RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.

85V061000Fuel SystemMay 14, 1985 · 8,500 units

Defect

WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ELECTRONIC MODULE WOULD HEAT UP AND FAIL AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO START AT TIMES ALSO DUE TO ELECTRONIC MODULE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 1995

1985 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 1985 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1985 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Ford E-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-250 years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 1998, 1992. The cleanest record among E-250 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.