Illustration1985 FORD F-150 HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. *KB WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE CONSUMER DRIFTED OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. *JB
1985 Ford F150
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F150 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 28 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.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
28 reportsTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON 04/10/03 THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOW OUT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON 04/12/03 THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND ALMOST CAUSED A DANGEROUS COLLISION. TIRE INFO: DA…
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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON 04/10/03 THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOW OUT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON 04/12/03 THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND ALMOST CAUSED A DANGEROUS COLLISION. TIRE INFO: DAYTON, RADIAL STAG ST 31X10.50R15LT, DOT-V060U6A118, NOT ORIGINAL, 90% OF TREAD INTACT, 2K-3K MILES ON TIRES AT TIME OF FAILURE. *NLM.....*AK
THIS CAUSE'S LOUD POPING AND CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE OUT SIDE OF TIRE. FORD REP. TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS AND THAT EVEN IF THERE WAS DUE TO AGE OF THE TRUCK THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY TOWARDS FIXING IT. I POINTED OUT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THIS DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERAN…
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THIS CAUSE'S LOUD POPING AND CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE OUT SIDE OF TIRE. FORD REP. TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS AND THAT EVEN IF THERE WAS DUE TO AGE OF THE TRUCK THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY TOWARDS FIXING IT. I POINTED OUT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THIS DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERANCE, JUST TOUGH LUCK ON MY PART. THEY TOLD ME HAVE THE CROSS MEMBER WELDED TO THE FRAME. THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE ONCE SOMETIME IN THE PAST, I DO NOT KNOW WHEN. BUT IT DIDN'T HOLD . SO I AM AT A LOSE AT WHAT DO NOW OR WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP WITH THIS. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE INNER AND OUTER WHEEL BEARING, AND GREASE SEALS AFTER THEY BURNT UP AND SMOKED SEVERAL TIMES DURING A ROAD TRIP. *YD
IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED. ENGINE STALL WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND WITHOUT WARNING; DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS RESULTED. HOT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AGGRAVATED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE HEAT FACTOR WAS NOT KNOWN UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY ISOLATED. TWO FORD DEAL…
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IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED. ENGINE STALL WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND WITHOUT WARNING; DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS RESULTED. HOT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AGGRAVATED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE HEAT FACTOR WAS NOT KNOWN UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY ISOLATED. TWO FORD DEALERS WERE ABSOLUTELY NO HELP IN DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM.
THE FIRESTONE DEALER REFUSED TO PROCESS A RECALL CLAIM FOR THE FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES FROM COPIES PRESENTED BY THE CONSUMER (FIRESTONE ATX). *YH
IGNITION FAILURE - REPLACED IGNITION MODULE AT DISTRIBUTOR - NOT IN WARRENTY - PAID $225.32. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF THEN SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE OF TWO (2) TFI MODULES ON MY 1985 F-150. I STILL OWN AND USE THIS TRUCK. I HAVE SEEN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT FOMOCO KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WANTED TO PASS THIS INFORMATION ON. ALSO, I HAVE PETITIONED FOMOCO FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $694.74 THAT THE DEALERS CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE …
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I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE OF TWO (2) TFI MODULES ON MY 1985 F-150. I STILL OWN AND USE THIS TRUCK. I HAVE SEEN THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT FOMOCO KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WANTED TO PASS THIS INFORMATION ON. ALSO, I HAVE PETITIONED FOMOCO FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $694.74 THAT THE DEALERS CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE TFI MODULES. FOMOCO REFUSED. THANK YOU. *AK
I HAVE JUST SEEN THE TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THE TFI MODULES AND I THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT MY FORD. IT IS A 85 F-150 THAT I STILL USE. IT HAS HAD TWO TFI MODULES REPLACED. THE TRUCK IS AT HOME AND THE PAPERWORK, VIN, ETC ARE THERE. IF YOU WISH MORE INFO, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL BE GLAD TO SUPPLY IT.*AK
Official recalls
184V162000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Dec 26, 1984
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
Consequence: Not supplied
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.
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
2DP89005 · F-SERIES Fuel Tank Fires
Opened Jan 26, 1989 · Closed Aug 1, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
PE87017 · Fuel Leaks/fires
Opened Jan 28, 1987 · Closed May 26, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.LEAKS FROM FUEL LINES MAY ALSO BE ACONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.---------------------------------------------------------------------------ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THESPRING LOCK QUICK CONNECT COUPLINGS WHICH CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY ANDRETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINES.---------------------------------------------------------------------------PROPOSED ACTION: UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.(EA87-020)===