Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Ford LTD. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗STRUCTURE:SHIELDS:PROTECTORS:LINES:TUBING
- Summary
- 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.
- Remedy
- INSTALL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPE SHIELDS.
BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:BOOSTER
- Summary
- 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.
- Remedy
- INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (17)
17 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 47.1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 17.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 11.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 11.8% |
| Parking brake | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering | 1 | 5.9% |
| Tires | 1 | 5.9% |
How 1985 compares with other LTD years
Best and worst LTD years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 5 | 1 |
| 1984 | 14 | 2 |
| 1985 | 17 | 2 |
| 1986 | 9 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | 6 | 0 |
| 1989 | 8 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,350
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1985 LTD for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1985 Ford LTD FAQ
How many recalls does the 1985 Ford LTD have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 85V077000 (structure), 85V068000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1985 Ford LTD problems?
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (8), Seat belts (3), Engine and engine cooling (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1985 Ford LTD get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 19 city, 23 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1985 LTD compare with other years?
Among the 1983–1992 Ford LTD model years at least five years old, the 1987 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1985 the most (17). The 1985 drew 17. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.