1985 Ford Explorer problems

General information about Ford-Explorer
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. As the first four-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the two-door Bronco II. Within the current Ford SUV range in North America, the Explorer is slotted between the Ford Edge and Ford Expedition. As with the Ford Ranger, the Explorer derives its name from a trim package previously offered on the Ford F-Series pickup trucks.

The Explorer has been offered in multiple chassis and powertrain layouts. The first two generations were directly derived from the Ford Ranger, switching to a model-specific chassis for the third and fourth generations. The fifth generation was repackaged as a crossover SUV, adopting a variant of the Ford Taurus chassis architecture.

Alongside the five-door Explorer wagon, a three-door Explorer wagon was offered from 1991 to 2003, officially referred to as the Explorer Sport after 1999, serving as the direct replacement of the Bronco II; the 2001–2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac was a crew-cab pickup derived from the model line. For police use, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility has been derived from the fifth and sixth-generation Explorer to replace the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (and the later Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan). Through rebranding, Mazda, Mercury, and Lincoln have sold versions of the Explorer; Lincoln currently markets the sixth-generation model line as the Lincoln Aviator.

For the North American market, the first four generations of the Explorer were produced by Ford at its Louisville Assembly Plant (Louisville, Kentucky) and at its now-closed St. Louis Assembly Plant (Hazelwood, Missouri); the model line is currently produced at Chicago Assembly Plant (Chicago, Illinois).

In 2020, CNBC reported the Ford Explorer range as the best-selling SUV of all time in America.

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Common 1985 Ford Explorer problems

The Ford Explorer, first introduced in 1991, has been a popular SUV, but it has also been associated with several common problems over the years. Here are some of the issues that have been reported by owners of the Ford Explorer, particularly focusing on the 1985 model.

Suspension Problems: Many Ford Explorer owners have reported issues with the suspension, which can lead to an unacceptably bouncy ride quality, especially along the freeway. The primary cause of this issue is often worn-out shock absorbers, which need to be replaced.
Ventilation Problems: Some Ford Explorers have experienced issues with their ventilation system, where not enough air is sent to the floor area when defrosting the windshield. This problem is typically caused by a faulty floor/defroster door, which can be resolved by installing a new door.
Rattling Steering Column: A dislocated spring in the tilt lever can cause a rattling noise in the steering column of the Ford Explorer. This issue can be fixed by repositioning the spring.
Power Door Locks: The power door locks on the Ford Explorer can cause problems, particularly when the actuator disengages from the bracket, preventing the door from being opened.
Rear Wipers: The rear wipers on the Ford Explorer are known to be prone to issues, such as working erratically or not working at all, especially on rainy days.
Engine and Transmission Problems: The 1985 Ford Explorer was equipped with a 4.0L Cologne V6 engine and a Mazda M5OD 5-speed manual transmission or an optional Ford 4-speed A4LD overdrive automatic transmission. Some owners have reported issues with the engine and transmission, including leaks and failure to shift properly.
Four-Wheel Drive Systems: The 1985 Ford Explorer was offered with various configurations of part-time four-wheel drive, powered by a Borg Warner 13–54 transfer case. Some owners have reported problems with the four-wheel drive systems, including issues with the transfer case and four-wheel drive engagement.
Body and Paint Issues: Some Ford Explorers have experienced body and paint issues, including rust, chipping paint, and poor fit and finish.
Interior Accessories: Issues with interior accessories, such as faulty interior lights, non-functioning power windows, and malfunctioning radio systems, have been reported by some Ford Explorer owners.
Safety Concerns: There have been reports of safety issues with the Ford Explorer, including problems with the seat belts, airbags, and braking system.

It is important to note that not all Ford Explorers will experience these problems, and many owners have reported having positive experiences with their vehicles. However, these common issues are worth considering when purchasing a used Ford Explorer, particularly one from the 1985 model year. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or address these problems, and investing in a Haynes manual can help owners save on labor costs by enabling them to perform repairs themselves.

1985 Ford Explorer car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Explorer problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Ford Explorer vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Ford Explorer complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford Explorer.

1995-06-28

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1FMDU34X6FZ
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: ALL FOUR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DON'T RETRACT BACK FRONT AND BACK SEAT . *AK

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