Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1985 Ford F250
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
927.3%
0 crashes, 6 fires
Brakes
515.2%
Steering
412.1%
Engine & Cooling
412.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Tires
26.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
26.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Suspension
26.1%
Equipment & Accessories
13.0%
Seat Belts
13.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Body & Structure
13.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 10Feb 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1985 Ford F250
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE94065Opened 19 Aug 1994Closed 28 Dec 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
DP89005Opened 26 Jan 1989Closed 1 Aug 1989FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
PE87017Opened 28 Jan 1987Closed 26 May 1987VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL LEAKS/FIRES
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.-------------------------------------------------------...
Recalls on the 1985 Ford F250
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
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.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Toledo, WACrash5 injured
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #726849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UTFire
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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 .
NHTSA complaint #701535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsto, NJFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Price, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #983944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Price, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Sardis, TN
STRUCTURE
THE FIREWALL CRACKED, WHICH REDUCED THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10006837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
NHTSA complaint #785681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
NHTSA complaint #785681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Solon, OH
TIRES:SIDEWALL
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
NHTSA complaint #886500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leona Valley, CA
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 APART THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS INSPECTING THE TIRE .HALF OF THE SKIN FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE WAS REMOVED, MY LEFT EYE WAS SEVERLY ABRADED AND THE EYE SOCKET WAS BROKEN, BOTH EAR DRUMS WERE BLOWN OUT AND MY COCHLEA (THE PART OF THE INNER EAR THAT CONTROLS BALANCE) WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, AND MY LEFT ARM AND LEFT SIDE OF MY CHEST WERE BADLY CUT. I HAVE PICTURES OF BOTH TIRE FAILURES AND OF MY INJURED SELF. I CONTACTED SEVERAL LAWYERS AT THE TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD NO CASE AGAINST FIRESTONE BECAUSE I HAD ACTUALLY USED THEIR OFF-ROAD TIRES OFF-ROAD. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE TIRES WERE FAIRLY NEW AND LOW MILEAGE. ALL 4 TIRES DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 33X12R16.5 )
NHTSA complaint #728124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, WACrash5 injured
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #726849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mukwonago, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
DUEL FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #854627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UTFire
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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 .
NHTSA complaint #701535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIES PRESSURE, DOES NOT APPEAR BACK BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY, CHANGED BRAKE SHOES/VACCUUM PUMP, STILL HAVING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #817354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT INTO THE BELT BUCKLE, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO TO THE BUCKLE PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #816762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
FRONT STEERING COLUMN REBUILT.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
FAN BELTS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE RODS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
BEARINGS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ALARM INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
ALL FOUR SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #516068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carnation, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
GLOW PLUG TIMING MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #512155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN BECOMES VERY WARM TO THE TOUCH WHEN DRIVING FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsto, NJFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Price, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #983944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Price, UTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.