Ford LTD Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 35 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints across 26 model years of the Ford LTD (1968–2000). The most-complained-about year is 1985.

Pick your Ford LTD model year

• 1968
• 1970
• 1972
• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1995
• 1996
• 2000

What Ford LTD owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The 1985 model year has the most, with 17.

• Electrical system: switch16
• Engine and engine cooling: gasoline11
• Power train: automatic transmission6
• Electrical system: ignition5
• Vehicle speed control4
• Electrical system: module4
• Electrical system: front underhood3
• Electrical system: interior/under dash3

All Ford LTD recalls (35)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Ford LTD, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

1. Underbody shields (structure)

   NHTSA 85V077000 Reported June 11, 1985 8,671 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Heat shields for the catalytic converter outlet pipes were omitted during production. Consequence of defect: after severe duty use, such as high speed pursuit, the outlet pipes become very hot and could ignite certain types of ground cover resulting in a vehicle fire.

   Remedy: Install catalytic converter outlet pipe shields.

   Model years: 1984, 1985

2. Vacuum (service brakes)

   NHTSA 85V068000 Reported May 21, 1985 14,008 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Brake booster rear shells may have reduced wall thicknesses which could cause the shell to break. Consequence of defect: repeated brake use could cause the shell to crack and the booster assembly to come apart. Service brakes capability would be totally lost without warning and could result in an accident.

   Remedy: Inspect and if necessary replace the power brake booster assembly.

   Model years: 1985

3. Anchorage (seat belts)

   NHTSA 83V134000 Reported December 20, 1983 530,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The bolts that attach the d-shaped ring for the shoulder belt are inadequately supported by the material in which they are mounted. The attachment does not comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages".

   Remedy: Dealers will install new attaching hardware to improve the strength of the mounting.

   Model years: 1984

4. Automatic transmission (power train)

   NHTSA 83V028000 Reported March 7, 1983 98,162 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The parking gear may not engage, even though the gear shift lever is placed in the "park" position. This occurs if the linkage inside the transmission that actuates the park gear was improperly manufactured. A pin that retains components on a linkage (actuating) rod could break and the linkage may not engage the parking gear.

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.

   Model years: 1983

5. Suspension: rear

   NHTSA 82V135000 Reported December 28, 1982 4,361 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The lower control arms may have been manufactured from steel with material thickness below the minimum specifications for police duty. This could lead to cracks developing in the control arms, and eventually, the possibility of fracture of an arm.

   Remedy: The dealer will install new rear suspension lower control arms on both sides of the vehicle without charge.

   Model years: 1981, 1982

6. Column shift (power train)

   NHTSA 82V099000 Reported October 13, 1982 4,967 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   An incorrect insulator may have been installed in the steering shift cane lever on the involved vehicles. This insulator is used to connect the transmission shift linkage to the shift cane lever. If the shift linkage were to separate from the shift lever, operator would be unable to shift gears. The transmission will be stuck in the…

   Remedy: Dealer will install the correct insulator wihtout charge to owner..

   Model years: 1982

7. Interior/under dash (electrical system)

   NHTSA 80V147000 Reported November 13, 1980 18,154 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Some of the involved vehicles have electrical relay systems which may be susceptible to water leakage into the relay case. Water entry may cause a short circuit within the relay.

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect vehicles for the type of relay used, reorient wiring harnesses as necessary, and replace suspect relays with new parts.

   Model years: 1981

8. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 80V143000 Reported November 7, 1980 314,400 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Some of the flexible five-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to high blade stresses that can result from resonant vibration inputs occurring during normal vehicle operation. This can result in the blades cracking due to fatigue, and portions of the blade may separate from the fan assembly without prior warning.

   Remedy: Dealer will replace defective fan with one of an improved five-bladed design, without charge to owner.

   Model years: 1973, 1974

9. Bumpers (structure)

   NHTSA 80V141000 Reported October 24, 1980 600 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The involved vehicles were produced without surlyn-coated foil insulators between the isolator and bracket assemblies and the rear bumper reinforcements. An epoxy coating was also omitted from the bracket assemblies. When exposed to the corrosive action of road salt, the aluminum rear bumper reinforcement could experience galvonic…

   Remedy: Dealer will inspect rear bumper attachment components and replace them without charge, if necessary.

   Model years: 1981

10. Switch (electrical system)

    NHTSA 80V121000 Reported September 23, 1980 14,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The involved vehicles may start in reverse gear. This does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking affect". Some of these vehicles may be equipped with a defective neutral start switch that occasionally permits engine starting with the…

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect the involved vehicles and, if necessary, replace the transmission neutral start switch at no charge to owner.

    Model years: 1981

11. Power window devices and controls (visibility)

    NHTSA 80V061000 Reported May 16, 1980 9 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Misbuilt wiring harnesses may have been installed on certain vehicles. This would allow the power windows to be operated while the ignition key is turned off, a condition which fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 118, "power operated window systems".

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect the wiring harness and repair, if necessary.

    Model years: 1980

12. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V117000 Reported May 15, 1979 82,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.

    Model years: 1979

13. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V106000 Reported April 30, 1979 162,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Some of these vehicles were produced with misindexed front brake hoses which could contact a tire or wheel in a full-turn condition. Chafing and wear to the brake hose could result in loss of brake fluid and front wheel braking capability.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, re-index the front brake hose. Those hoses showing signs of abrasion will be replaced, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1979

14. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 79V107000 Reported April 30, 1979 18 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Some vehicles were produced with brake control valves and brake tubes intended for use in vehicles without trailer tow packages.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace brake control valve and connecting brake tube.

    Model years: 1979

15. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 79V022000 Reported January 15, 1979 25,453 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The word "lights" was omitted from the panel applique identifying the headlamp switch. Without this identification the involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, "controls and displays".

    Remedy: Owners of the affected vehicles will be mailed adhesive backed labels containing the word "lights", along with instructions for proper installation at no charge.

    Model years: 1979

16. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 78V212000 Reported October 4, 1978 32,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The lower steering shaft assemblies contain coupling rivet pins which were not riveted securely enough during manufacture. Consequently one or both of the pins could loosen from the flange of the flexible coupling during vehicle operation. If one pin is loose, free play would result. If both pins work loose, loss of steering control…

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering shaft assembly, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1979

17. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 78V213000 Reported October 4, 1978 25,600 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    One or more of the five cooling fan blades may have been improperly riveted to the fan spider. This could allow the blades to separate from the fan during engine operation.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine cooling fan, without charge.

    Model years: 1979

18. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 78V198000 Reported September 11, 1978 5,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The windshield wiper and washer system contains an incorrect 6 amp circuit breaker instead of the 8.25 amp circuit breaker. If the system is heavily loaded, as in the case of a partially dry windshield, the motor current may exceed the 6 amp breaker"s capacity. This would cause the breaker to open, which would result in wiper/washer…

    Remedy: Dealer will install the correct circuit breaker without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1979

19. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 78V199000 Reported September 11, 1978 8,700 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install protective shields on the rebound bumper brackets without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1979

20. Tires

    NHTSA 78V044000 Reported March 6, 1978 60 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Some of the involved vehicles may have been equipped with lr78-15 "c" load range truck tires instead of lr78-15 "b" load range passenger car tires. The wheels presently on the involved vehicles are intended for use with passenger vehicle tires and were not rated for the higher maximum air pressure and load ratings molded into the…

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace "c" load range tires with "b" load range tires, without charge.

    Model years: 1978

21. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 77V185000 Reported October 25, 1977 19,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when…

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

    Model years: 1978

22. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 77V140000 Reported September 13, 1977 9,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The involved vehicles were fitted with tilt steering columns containing transmission control inserts intended for trucks rather than passenger vehicles. This may cause the transmission selector pointer to be misaligned and the possibility of starting the engine when the selector is between the neutral (n) and drive (d) detents and the…

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmission shift control insert, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1977, 1978

23. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 75V042000 Reported March 4, 1975 140,870 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1975

24. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 75V043000 Reported March 4, 1975 140,870 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1975

25. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 74V126000 Reported August 13, 1974 2,027 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1975

26. Tread/belt (tires)

    NHTSA 74V118000 Reported August 1, 1974 35,711 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1974

27. Structure

    NHTSA 74V062000 Reported April 22, 1974 914 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1974

28. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 74V011000 Reported January 16, 1974 127,208 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1974

29. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 73V181000 Reported September 5, 1973 74,884 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1973, 1974

30. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 73V118000 Reported May 21, 1973 11,301 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1973

31. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 73V033000 Reported February 13, 1973 76,670 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1973

32. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 72V272000 Reported November 8, 1972 11,782 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1973

33. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 72V049000 Reported February 28, 1972 2,271 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1972

34. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 71V216000 Reported November 22, 1971 28,459 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1972

35. Concealment devices (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 68V054000 Reported May 22, 1968 3,400 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1968

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.