1985 Ford E250 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1985 Ford E250, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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4 safety recalls for the 1985 Ford E250

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Hoses/lines/piping/fittings (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 88V133000 Reported August 9, 1988 14,975 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Extreme operating conditions could cause premature deterioration of the engine compartment heater hoses or engine bypass hoses.

   Remedy: Replace hoses and radiator caps; install high heat resistance aluminized stainless steel mufflers.

2. Emission control (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 87V144000 Reported September 9, 1987 188,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Vehicles are subject to excessive underhood temperatures and fuel system pressures in severe duty applications.

   Remedy: Install modification kits to minimize possibility of fuel expulsion and to shield underbody components from exhaust system heat.

3. Connection (steering)

   NHTSA 86V173000 Reported December 30, 1986 28,791 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Rubber that encases ball stud and socket joint (connects steering drag link and pitman arm) may deteriorate and cause metal to metal contact. Consequence of defect: complete separation of the drag link to pitman arm connection could occur resulting in loss of steering control.

   Remedy: Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.

4. Fuel system, diesel

   NHTSA 85V061000 Reported May 14, 1985 8,500 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   When frontally impacted into a fixed barrier at 30 MPH, as specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) no. 301, the left frame rails of such vehicles may displace inboard, pinching the fuel/water separator canister between the frame rail and engine sufficiently to displace the fuel/water separator drain rod, allowing the…

   Remedy: Install a canister shield, a revised design drain rod shield, and modify fuel/water separator mounting bracket.

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1985 Ford E250 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Electrical system: switch1
• Electrical system: interior/under dash1
• Fuel system, gasoline: fuel pump1
• Fuel system, gasoline: selector devices1

What owners are reporting

“Electronic module would heat up and fail at times. The vehicle would be difficult to start at times also due to electronic module.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 1997 · Electrical system

“Vehicle fire due to possible ignition switch failure.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 4, 1996 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1985 Ford E250 Econoline (E250 Econoline 2WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Ford E250 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford E250 model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1985 Ford E250

Other Ford models

• F-15037,961 complaints
• Explorer34,566 complaints
• Escape27,430 complaints
• Fusion22,405 complaints
• Focus22,096 complaints
• Taurus18,159 complaints
• Windstar14,158 complaints
• Edge14,065 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.