1985 Ford Econoline Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 1985 Ford Econoline, and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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5 safety recalls for the 1985 Ford Econoline
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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Emission control (engine and engine cooling)
Expulsion of fuel due to overpressurization.
Remedy: Modification of the base fuel venting and emission control system to reduce operating temperatures and fuel system pressures.
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Mounting (fuel system)
Fuel leak at the top of the front fuel tank in the area of the vapor valve grommet. Grommet may split due to compressive load when installed in the fuel tank.
Remedy: Installation of a newly designed vapor valve grommet.
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Connection (steering)
The rubber that encases ball stud and socket joint (connects steering drag link and pitman arm) may deteriorate, causing metal to metal contact, and may eventually result in complete separation. Consequence of defect: complete separation of the drag link to pitman arm connection results in loss of steering control which may lead to an…
Remedy: Install new drag link assemblies with steel ball and socket joints at the pitman arm connections.
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Fuel system, diesel
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.
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1985 Ford Econoline have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Recall 85v061 was complete on vehicle, however now the tank will only allow the consumer to fill it up half way. *slc”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 20, 2000 · Fuel system, diesel
“Rear tire had separation and blow out on july 24, 1999. Purchased (2) new tires from firestone on july 30, 1999 and had them put on back and moved older tires to rear. Noticed severe vibration and too”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 26, 2000 · Tires
Compare Ford Econoline model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Econoline model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 1985 Ford Econoline
How do I know if my 1985 Ford Econoline has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1985 Ford Econoline; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V061000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.