MYRModel Year Report

1985 Ford Ranger

○ Not enough data
1985 Ford Ranger
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:40:55.188Z

Only 27 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 27 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 Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1985 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1985 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 266 complaints 2020: 127 complaints 2021: 114 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2025: 38 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1985: 27 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019266
2020127
2021114
202237
202318
202476
202538
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 27 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 of 27 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

BACKING VEHICLE UP, FRIEND STOPPED BY, SMELLED WIRING BURNING, SOON SMOKE APPEARED IN STEERING COLUMN, SOON AFTER FIRE ENGULFED THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960501

WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY SMOKE AND FLAMES STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDERHOOD; INSURANCE CO. TRACED FIRE BACK TO STEERING COLUMN AREA; ALL WIRES BURNED UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960426

POWER TRAIN

5 of 27 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

VISIBILITY

4 of 27 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core and electrical heating element.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

LEAVES FELL INTO THE HEATER/AC AIR INTAKE GRILLE, COMING IN CONTACT WITH RED HOT RESISTOR COILS, CAUSING THE LEAVES TO BURST INTO FIRE. *DSH

NHTSA ODI report, 19960425

STALLS AT ANY TEMPERATURE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED I HAVE TO ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MOVING W/O STALLING. HEATER GETS ALMOST TOO HOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070316

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 of 27 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SUSPENSION

2 of 27 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing rear and multiple axle.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19850411 — DP (closed 19850606)

STALLING WHEN COLD

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.

Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED F

Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

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 VEHIC

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.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

THE NYLON FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES ARE IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALONG THE FRAME SIDE RAIL AND COULD CONTACT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT.

Remedy: REROUTE OR REPLACE AFFECTED FUEL LINES.

Campaign 85V045000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1985 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V045000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1986 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1985 Ford Ranger 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 Ranger?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1985 Ford Ranger have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.