MYRModel Year Report

1985 Ford Escort

○ Not enough data
1985 Ford Escort
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:39:41.608Z

Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Escort Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 21 complaints 1984 1985: 26 complaints 1985 1986: 45 complaints 1987: 56 complaints 1987 1988: 143 complaints 1989: 152 complaints 1990: 101 complaints 1990 1991: 327 complaints 1992: 162 complaints 1993: 379 complaints 1993 1994: 279 complaints 1995: 576 complaints 1996: 205 complaints 1996 1997: 543 complaints 1998: 375 complaints 1999: 325 complaints 1999 2000: 98 complaints 2001: 68 complaints 2002: 33 complaints 2002 2003: 10 complaints 2003
1985: 26 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19824
19837
198421
198526
198645
198756
1988143
1989152
1990101
1991327
1992162
1993379
1994279
1995576
1996205
1997543
1998375
1999325
200098
200168
200233
200310

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 26 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 of 26 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 of 26 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE FIRE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950525

SEAT BELTS

2 of 26 total reports mention: seat belts.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 of 26 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE OWNER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT BURNING SMELL AND DRIVER PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SMOKE AND FIRE WAS EVERYWHERE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960212

WHILE DRIVING AUTO, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET HELP AND LOOKED BACK THE AUTO WENT IN FLAMES. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19951214

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 26 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19860326 — EA (closed 19890728)

SEATBACK FAILURE

I 19860423 — PE (closed 19861201)

FIRES

I 19861201 — EA (closed 19891031)

FIRES

I 19870428 — PE (closed 19870924)

SEAT TRACK FAILURE

I 19870501 — PE (closed 19880121)

STALLING

I 19870903 — DP (closed 19880427)

WINDOW SHATTERING

I 19870924 — EA (closed 19891116)

SEAT TRACKS

I 19880111 — DP (closed 19880824)

REAR SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE

I 19880829 — EA (closed 19900511)

REAR SAFETY BELT FIT

R 19890719 — engine and engine cooling

EXTERNAL CRACKS ABOVE THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER (1984 MODELS) OR ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS SPLITTING (1985 MODELS) COULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Remedy: REPLACE CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS (1984 MODELS); REPLACE ROCKER ARM COVER GASKETS (1985 MODELS).

Campaign 89V095000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19891113 — seats

THE FORWARD OUTBOARD PEDESTAL OF THE SEAT TRACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT ON ALL MODELS AND A NEW SEAT TRACK AS NECESSARY

Campaign 89V170000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — vehicle speed control

THE THROTTLE LEVER MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION DUE TO MISALIGNMENT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF SWITCH TO THE THROTTLE LEVER PIN.

Remedy: ADJUST SHUTOFF SWITCH AND ASSURE PROPER ALIGNMENT TO THROTTLE LEVER PIN.

Campaign 85V054000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Ford Escort — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V054000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V095000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 89V170000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2002 ▲ 1986 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1997 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Ford Escort reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Ford Escort?

The most-reported component is electrical system:ignition:switch, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Ford Escort have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.