Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford LTD Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns across the Ford LTD, 1983–2000. Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1985 drew the most (17) and the 1987 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Ford LTD complaints by model year

73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

15 214 217 9 1 6 8 2 3 2 1 2 1 2
19831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199519962000
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1987 · 1 complaints
  • 1993 · 1 complaints
  • 1996 · 1 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1985 · 17 complaints
  • 1984 · 14 complaints
  • 1986 · 9 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1987–2000. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Ford LTD owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1987198819891990199119921993199519962000
Electrical system 1430010100
Power train 0120101000
Engine and engine cooling 0010010101
Vehicle speed control 0110000000
Seat belts 0002000000
Equipment 0010000000
Seats 0010000000
Air bags 0000100000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Ford LTD recalls (9)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one LTD model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Ford LTD
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
85V077000Jun 11, 1985STRUCTURE:SHIELDS:PROTECTORS:LINES:TUBING1984, 1985—
85V068000May 21, 1985BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:BOOSTER1985—
83V134000Dec 20, 1983INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT:BELT ANCHOR AND ATTACHM1984—
83V028000Mar 7, 1983POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC1983—
82V135000Dec 28, 1982SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR:CONTROL ARM1981, 1982—
82V099000Oct 13, 1982POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:LEVER AND LINKA1982—
80V147000Nov 13, 1980ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:HARNESS:UNDER DASH1981—
80V141000Oct 24, 1980STRUCTURE:BUMPER ASSEMBLY:ATTACHMENTS/SUPPORT BARS1981—
80V121000Sep 23, 1980ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH:NEUTRAL START1981—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198416–20 mpg
198517–20 mpg
198618–20 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Ford LTD FAQ

How many recalls has the Ford LTD had?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns that cover at least one Ford LTD model year from 1983 to 2000. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Ford LTD year has the most complaints?

Among the last 14 model years with settled counts, the 1985 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (17) and the 1987 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Ford LTD problems?

Across the 1987–2000 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, power train, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Ford LTD get?

EPA rates the 1986 Ford LTD at 18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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