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1985 Federal Motors Federal

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
0Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

No component reports in this snapshot.

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 0 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

0 reports

No matching complaints in this snapshot.

Official recalls

2

86V066000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

May 22, 1986

THE STEERING WHEEL TO STEERING COLUMN SECURING NUT MAY BE UPSIDE DOWN AND/OR IMPROPERLY TORQUED AND MAY LOOSEN. THIS ALLOWS THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DISENGAGED OR DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DISENGAGED OR DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCED AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: PROPERLY INSTALL AND TORQUE COLOR CODED SECURING NUTS TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION.

85V166000 · Wheels

Dec 18, 1985

INCORRECT BUDD WHEELS OF A LOWER THAN REQUIRED LOAD RATING WERE INSTALLED ON SOME TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THESE WHEELS CAUSES THE FIRE TRUCKS TO BE IN NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 120 AND MAY FAIL DURING USE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE LOW LOAD RATING WHEELS ARE INSTALLED THEY MAY BREAK DURING USE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NOTE: TRUCKS SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL CORRECTIVE ACTION IS COMPLETED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: INSTALL PROPER WHEELS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE88068 · Various Brake Problems

Opened Jun 28, 1988 · Closed Nov 7, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SUMMARY: RECENT ROCKWELL REPORTS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: A: INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE DUE TO INADEQUATE AIR COMPRESSORCAPACITY; B: AIR HORN PLUMBED INTO AIR SYSTEM WITHOUT PRESSURE PROTECTIONVALVE; C: BRAKE IMBALANCE CAUSED BY BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVES WHICHREDUCE THE FRONT BRAKE PRESSURE. THE ABOVE PROBLEMS MAY RESULT IN HEAT CHECKING AND CRACKING OF THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS.