MYRModel Year Report

1985 Ford Mustang

○ Not enough data
1985 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:02.523Z

Only 16 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 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
16

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1985

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1985 16 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1985 16 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1989 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2019 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1985 16 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1988 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2014 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2018 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2024 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

1985: 16 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015439
2016379
2017268
2018196
2019152
2020122
202155
202250
202315
202485
202520
20268

Known problem areas

Only 16 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

4 of 16 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

Show complaint excerpts

Seat belt was recalled in 1992. The problem was repaired, and the recall letter stated that repairs were for the life of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-11

I took my car to the dealer to check on campaign # 92V063000. He said he couldn't help because my VIN # didn't come up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-02

Engine and engine cooling

3 of 16 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was parked and the vehicle caught fire (Engine comparment fire).

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-05

Fuel system, gasoline

3 of 16 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel injection system and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Underhood fire caused by poor clamping of fuel line to the fuel filter. Please explain. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-06

Electrical system

3 of 16 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing front underhood and switch.

FIRE

Power train

2 of 16 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing clutch assembly and automatic transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was parked/keys were removed vehicle then rolled out into the main traffic, causing vehicle to be struck by a van.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-14

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1989-07-28 Seatback failure
  2. I
    1987-05-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-01-21 Stalling
  3. I
    1989-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-06 Speed control malfunction
  4. I
    1990-10-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-04-30 Safety belt tongue breaks
  5. R
    1992-09-29Seat belts92V063000 The plastic sleeve in the front safety belt tongue assembly which retains the lock bar can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to sunlight and become displaced, causing the tongue to detach from the…

    Remedy: Ford will repair the safety belts experiencing this condition regardless of vehicle age or condition.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2007-10-15Fuel system, gasoline07E064000 Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between August 2006 and July 2007 for use on the…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2007. Owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    Date not on fileService brakes, hydraulic85V068000 Brake booster rear shells may have reduced wall thicknesses which could cause the shell to break.

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

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1985 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 85V068000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 92V063000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 07E064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1985 Ford Mustang 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 Mustang?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1985 Ford Mustang have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.