Verdict · NHTSA data
Among the better years
The 1985 Ford Escort is among the quieter years of the Escort on NHTSA's books: 31 complaints (76% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (32% of the total).
31
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
9
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 | 32% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 5 | 16% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 4 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 3 | 10% | new |
| Seats | 2 | 6% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 3% | new |
| Brakes | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Lighting | 1 | 3% | new |
| Airbags | 1 | 3% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
Consequence
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
Defect
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.
Consequence
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).
Defect
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 LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
ADJUST SHUTOFF SWITCH AND ASSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT TO THROTTLE LEVER PIN.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“EXPERIENCED FIRE UNDERHOOD. *TT CONSUMER STATES FIRE STARTED IN THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL,VEHICLE ALSO STARTED BY ITSELF.*JB”
“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”
“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”
“SEAT BELT LATCH INCORPORATES A PLASTIC SPACER WHICH HOLDS METAL BAR IN POSITION, THE METAL BAR HOLDS THE SEAT BELT WEBBING IN PLACE, THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND NO LONGER HOLDS THE BAR IN POSITION, ALLOWING THE SEAT BELT NOT TO STAY FASTENED, CONSUMER STATES MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SELL…”
“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…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 31 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Escort year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), engine (5 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1985 Ford Escort. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Escort years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 1993, 1998, 1991, 1999, 1994, 1996, 1992, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among Escort years belongs to 1981.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.