VehicleVerdict

1985 Ford Econoline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 1985 Ford Econoline — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Econoline years?

Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted164 complaints1967: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 7 complaints1987: 19 complaints1988: 33 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 38 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 71 complaints1994: 164 complaints1995: 98 complaints1996: 96 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 61 complaints1999: 102 complaints2000: 46 complaints2001: 31 complaints2002: 25 complaints2003: 27 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 1 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Econoline years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Ford Econoline problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System747%
Brakes213%
Fuel System213%
Tires & Wheels213%
Steering17%
Transmission17%

Does the 1985 Ford Econoline have recalls?

6 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.

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.

87V113000EngineJuly 21, 1987 · 16,000 units

Defect

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

Consequence

FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.

87V111000Fuel SystemJuly 16, 1987 · 250 units

Defect

FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK FROM VAPOR VALVE AND BECOME THE SOURCE OFFUEL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

86V094000SteeringJuly 15, 1986 · 70,125 units

Defect

THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

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.

“WHILE DRIVING AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED 45 MINUTES, ENGINE QUIT, SMOKE STARTED COMING IN FROM UNDERHOOD;OPENED HOOD, DISCONNECTED BATTERY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 1994 · fire

“REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT ON JULY 24, 1999. PURCHASED (2) NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE ON JULY 30, 1999 AND HAD THEM PUT ON BACK AND MOVED OLDER TIRES TO REAR. NOTICED SEVERE VIBRATION AND TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE AND THEY FOUND TREAD SEPARATION. I DID NOT REALIZE TIRES HAD PROBLEMS UNTIL I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 16, 2000

1985 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 1985 Ford Econoline reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1985 Econoline problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (7 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1985 Ford Econoline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Ford Econoline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Econoline years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1998, 2000, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1988, 2001. The cleanest record among Econoline years belongs to 2026.

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.