1985 Ford F250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 F250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V162000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
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.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.0 LITER ELECTRONIC FUELINJECTION ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS; FUEL INJECTION RAILS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONALINJURY.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 SPILLAGE IN THE TRUCKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FMVSS INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.
What could happen:
The fix: INSTALL NOSE SHIELD ON THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 F250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V111000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Summary: 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 SPILLAGE IN THE TRUCKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FMVSS INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Consequence:
Remedy: INSTALL NOSE SHIELD ON THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANK/SHIELD FMVSS NO. 301. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-250 4X4 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS 133 INCH WHEEL BASE.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1985 Ford F250 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (9), Brakes (5), Hydraulic (5), Engine (4), Steering (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/10/2003 · Body / structure
THE FIREWALL CRACKED, WHICH REDUCED THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
09/20/2001 · Electrical system
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
09/20/2001 · Electrical system
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
04/23/2001 · Wheels / tires
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
08/16/2000 · Wheels / 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 FROM RIDING ON THE PAVEMENT TO A STOP. WHEN THE 2ND TIRE CAME A…
08/07/2000 · Transmission / drivetrain · crash
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
01/03/2000 · Fuel system
DUEL FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK
12/22/1998 · Visibility (wipers / glass) · fire
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 .