Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1985 Ford LTD, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system8
- Seat belts3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Parking brake1
- Tires1
- Steering1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1985 Ford LTD failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1985 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 59,885 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
11 1985 cars are on the New Zealand register; 18% arrived as used imports, 82% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1985 Ford LTD.
| 1985077 20 Jun 1985 | Not Entered VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT HEAT SHIELDS INTENDED FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPES. AFTER SOME TYPES OF SEVERE HEAVY USAGE, THE SURFACE TEMPERATURES … |
| 1985070 31 May 1985 | Not Entered THE TANDEM POWER BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES. REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATIONS COULD CAU SE SUCH A SHELL TO CRACK … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1985 Ford LTD: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
STALLING
SEATBACK FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation