1985 Ford F250 problems
The Ford Super Duty (also known as the Ford F-Series Super Duty) is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.
Rather than adapting the lighter-duty F-150 truck for heavier use, Super Duty trucks have been designed as a dedicated variant of the Ford F-Series. The heavier-duty chassis components allow for heavier payloads and towing capabilities. With a GVWR over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg), Super Duty pickups are Class 2 and 3 trucks, while chassis-cab trucks are offered in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6. The model line also offers Ford Power Stroke V8 diesel engines as an option.
Ford also offers a medium-duty version of the F-Series (F-650 and F-750), which is sometimes branded as the Super Duty, but is another chassis variant. The Super Duty pickup truck also served as the basis for the Ford Excursion full-sized SUV.
The Super Duty trucks and chassis-cabs are assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and at Ohio Assembly in Avon Lake, Ohio. Prior to 2016, medium-duty trucks were assembled in Mexico under the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture with Navistar International.
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Common 1985 Ford F250 problems
The 1985 Ford F250 is known for several common problems, primarily related to the fuel system, transmission, equipment, steering, brakes, lighting, wheels, seats, electrical system, structure, visibility, suspension, engine, doors, and exterior.
- Transmission: The transmission has been the subject of 12 recalls, primarily due to issues with the torque converter, gear train, and hydraulic system. These problems can lead to difficulty shifting, slipping, and even complete transmission failure.
- Equipment: Equipment-related problems, such as faulty wiring, sensors, and modules, have been the subject of 12 recalls. These issues can affect various vehicle functions, including lighting, climate control, and safety systems.
- Steering: Steering problems, such as leaks in the power steering system and issues with the steering gear, have been the subject of 10 recalls. These problems can make the vehicle difficult to control, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Brakes: Brake-related problems, such as leaks in the brake lines and issues with the brake booster, have been the subject of 10 recalls. These problems can affect the vehicle's stopping ability, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Lighting: Lighting problems, such as faulty headlights and taillights, have been the subject of 5 recalls. These problems can affect visibility and safety, particularly during nighttime driving.
- Wheels: Wheel-related problems, such as issues with the lug nuts and wheel bearings, have been the subject of 4 recalls. These problems can affect the vehicle's stability and handling.
- Seats: Seat-related problems, such as issues with the seat belts and seat adjusters, have been the subject of 4 recalls. These problems can affect the safety and comfort of the vehicle's occupants.
- Electrical System: Electrical system problems, such as issues with the battery, alternator, and wiring, have been the subject of 3 recalls. These problems can affect various vehicle functions, including starting, lighting, and climate control.
- Structure: Structural problems, such as issues with the frame and body, have been the subject of 3 recalls. These problems can affect the vehicle's durability, safety, and appearance.
- Visibility: Visibility problems, such as issues with the windshield wipers and mirrors, have been the subject of 2 recalls. These problems can affect the driver's ability to see the road and surrounding vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Suspension: Suspension problems, such as issues with the shocks, struts, and springs, have been the subject of 2 recalls. These problems can affect the vehicle's ride quality, handling, and stability.
- Engine: Engine problems, such as issues with the cylinders, pistons, and valves, have been the subject of 1 recall. These problems can affect the vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and durability.
- Doors: Door-related problems, such as issues with the latches and hinges, have been the subject of 1 recall. These problems can affect the safety and convenience of the vehicle's occupants.
- Exterior: Exterior problems, such as issues with the paint and trim, have been the subject of 1 recall. These problems can affect the vehicle's appearance and durability.
In addition to these recalls, other common problems reported by owners of the 1985 Ford F250 include engine troubles, suspension issues, and steering difficulties. Engine troubles, such as EGR failure, stalling, and sudden loss of power, can be costly and inconvenient for drivers. Suspension issues, such as death wobble, hyper shaking, and loss of control, can be dangerous and expensive to fix. Steering difficulties, such as wobbles and locking up, can also affect the safety and control of the vehicle.
Is a 1985 F250 a good truck?
Despite lacking anti-lock brakes, the F250's braking performance is average but far better than what I expected. The heart of the F250 comes from a 225 horsepower460 cubic inch V8 mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is tepid, and you really need to push it if you want some power.
What are the worst years for F250 Super Duty?
The worst years for used Ford F-250 include:
- 2002 Ford F-250.
- 2006 Ford F-250.
- 2008 Ford F-250.
- 2011 Ford F-250.
- 2017 Ford F-250.
What years of F250 are most reliable?
The 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005 Ford F-250 models are still talked about to this day. They offered excellent performance and great reliability. However, they are probably too old for you to buy one now. The most popular model year for the Ford F-250 is currently the 2016.
What engines came in the 1985 Ford F-250?
1985 Ford F-250 3/4 Ton 2dr Styleside Long Bed8-cyl. 351cid/210hp 4bbl OHV H.O. 1985 Ford F-250 3/4 Ton 2dr Styleside Supercab Long Bed 4x48-cyl. 351cid/210hp 4bbl OHV H.O.
Is a 1985 F250 a good truck?
Despite lacking anti-lock brakes, the F250's braking performance is average but far better than what I expected. The heart of the F250 comes from a 225 horsepower460 cubic inch V8 mated to a four speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is tepid, and you really need to push it if you want some power.
What are the worst years for F250 Super Duty?
The worst years for used Ford F-250 include:
- 2002 Ford F-250.
- 2006 Ford F-250.
- 2008 Ford F-250.
- 2011 Ford F-250.
- 2017 Ford F-250.
What years of F250 are most reliable?
The 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005 Ford F-250 models are still talked about to this day. They offered excellent performance and great reliability. However, they are probably too old for you to buy one now. The most popular model year for the Ford F-250 is currently the 2016.
What engine is in a 1985 Ford F-250?
Specifications for Ford F-250 HD Regular Cab 6.9 V8 IDI 173hp, 1985.
1985 Ford F250 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F250 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Ford F250 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1985 Ford F250
The NHTSA has received 34 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford F250. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1985 Ford F250 vehicles.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-09
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE FIREWALL CRACKED, WHICH REDUCED THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-01
- VIN: 1FTEF25GXFP
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE HAULING CAMPER HAD NUMEROUS ENGINE SHUT OFFS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-01
- VIN: 1FTEF25GXFP
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE HAULING CAMPER HAD NUMEROUS ENGINE SHUT OFFS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *YH
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-15
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WRANGLER LOADRANGE E LT 235/85R16, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH 70000 MILES ON A 1985 FORD, F250. ALL 4 TIRES SHOWED SIDEWALL CRACKS. *AK DOT MDOR 1 DOV 155, TIRES HAVE SIDEWALL CRACKS NEAR THE RIM ON BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. *SLC
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1985-04-15
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FIRESTONE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES FOR MORE THAN JUST THE PAST FEW YEARS BUT HAS ALWAYS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE 1ST TIRE CAME APART, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A CAB-OVER CAMPER ON THE TRUCK AND TOWING A MOTORCYCLE TRAILER. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIM FROM RIDING ON THE PAVEMENT TO A STOP. WHEN THE 2ND TIRE CAME APART THE TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS INSPECTING THE TIRE .HALF OF THE SKIN FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE WAS REMOVED, MY LEFT EYE WAS SEVERLY ABRADED AND THE EYE SOCKET WAS BROKEN, BOTH EAR DRUMS WERE BLOWN OUT AND MY COCHLEA (THE PART OF THE INNER EAR THAT CONTROLS BALANCE) WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, AND MY LEFT ARM AND LEFT SIDE OF MY CHEST WERE BADLY CUT. I HAVE PICTURES OF BOTH TIRE FAILURES AND OF MY INJURED SELF. I CONTACTED SEVERAL LAWYERS AT THE TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD NO CASE AGAINST FIRESTONE BECAUSE I HAD ACTUALLY USED THEIR OFF-ROAD TIRES OFF-ROAD. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE TIRES WERE FAIRLY NEW AND LOW MILEAGE. ALL 4 TIRES DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 33X12R16.5 )
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-05-31
- Number Of Injuries: 5
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1FTHX2614FK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROK.E, CAUSED US TO HIT THE BRIDGE ON THE RIGHT AND THEN RICHOCHETED US TO THE LEFT AND WE HIT A 5 TON TOW TRUCK. WHICH TOTALED THE PICKUP INTO A MILLION PIECES. WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT SCENE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTHX2616FK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: DUEL FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-12-22
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTHF26L6FP
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SMOKE POURED OUT OF ALL HEATING VENTS - SMELLED LIKE BURNING LEAVES. TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF AND SMOKE CEASED. TURNED HEATING LEVER TO OFF AND WENT TO DEALER .
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-12
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: APPLIES PRESSURE, DOES NOT APPEAR BACK BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY, CHANGED BRAKE SHOES/VACCUUM PUMP, STILL HAVING PROBLEM. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT INTO THE BELT BUCKLE, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO TO THE BUCKLE PROPERLY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: FAN BELTS REPLACED.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: ALARM INSTALLED.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: FRONT STEERING COLUMN REBUILT.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: BEARINGS REPLACED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ROTORS REPLACED.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TIE RODS REPLACED.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: ALL FOUR SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-05
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WATER PUMP FAILED AND REPLACED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-05
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL FIRE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-01
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTHX251XFK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: GLOW PLUG TIMING MODULE FAILED. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1985-08-01
- VIN: 1FTHF2613FP
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING COLUMN BECOMES VERY WARM TO THE TOUCH WHEN DRIVING FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. *DSH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-02
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTHF26L4FK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE. *AK *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-02
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;INVESTIGATED, WIRES BURNING;PULLED WIRES AWAY SOURCE OF POWER;RESTARTED IGNITION, VEHICLE CAUGHT 0N FIRE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-21
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTHF2518FP
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING WIRING IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
1985 Ford F250 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1985 Ford F250.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
- Summary: TRUCKS FAIL TO MEET REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY, IN A 30 MPH FRONT ANGULAR BARRIER TEST IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE OMISSION OF THE NOSE SHIELD ON MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE TRUCKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FMVSS INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.
- Remedy: INSTALL NOSE SHIELD ON THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
- Summary: METAL BURRS AND SHARP EDGES ON FUEL RAILS MAY HAVE DAMAGED ADJACENT O-RING SEALS DURING ASSEMBLY. THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN ENGINE IS OPERATING.
- Remedy: FUEL RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS, WETNESS OR SEEPAGE OF FUEL AND, IF NECESSARY, FUEL RAILS AND RELATED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1985 Ford F250 problems:
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