1985 Ford Ford truck problems

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

The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1948 model year. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks positioned above the midsize Ranger but below the larger Super Duty in the Ford truck lineup. Alongside the F-150 (introduced in 1975), the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series (introduced in 1999), which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.

History

The F-Series was first introduced in 1948 as a replacement for a previous pickup model line based on car platforms.

The most popular version of the model line is the F-150 pickup truck, currently in its fourteenth generation (introduced for the 2021 model year). From 1953 to 1983, the entry-level F-Series pickup was the 1⁄2 ton F-100. Starting in 1984, the F-150 became the entry-level. The F-150 has a long-running high-performance off-road trim level introduced for 2010, the (SVT) Raptor currently consisting of three generations. Production of the F-150 SVT Raptor ended in 2014 and it was planned to be succeeded by a new F-150 Raptor, which is based on the thirteenth and fourteenth generation F-150.

The F-Series trucks have been developed into a wide range of design configurations. Alongside medium-duty trucks and "Big Job" conventional trucks (the forerunners of the Ford L-series), the model line has been marketed as a chassis-cab truck and a panel van (a predecessor of the Ford E-Series). The F-Series has served as the platform for various full-sized Ford SUVs, including the Ford Bronco, Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Excursion. The F-Series has been marketed by its three North American brands: by Mercury as the M-Series (in Canada from 1948 to 1968), and by Lincoln in the 2000s, as the Blackwood and the later Mark LT (2010s for the latter in Mexico only).

Since 1977, the F-Series has remained the best-selling pickup truck line in the United States; it has been the best-selling vehicle overall since 1981. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in Canada for over fifty years. As of the 2018 model year, the F-Series generated $41 billion (~$49 billion in 2023) in annual revenue for Ford. By January 2022, the F-Series models have sold over 40 million units. Currently, Ford manufactures the F-Series in four facilities in the United States.

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Common 1985 Ford Ford truck problems

Common Problems with the 1985 Ford F-150

Timing Chain Problems: The timing chain in the 1985 F-150 can wear out and cause problems, especially in the 6-cylinder engine, which uses timing gears instead of a chain. The cam gear in the 6-cylinder engine has plastic teeth that can shred off, throwing the ignition and valve timing off.

Electrical Issues: Electrical problems are common in the 1985 F-150, with some owners reporting issues with getting power to various parts of the truck, including lights, horn, and blinkers. These issues can be caused by disconnected or broken body grounds, which can be found throughout the vehicle.

Engine Missing: Some owners of the 1985 F-150 have reported engine missing, which can be caused by a variety of issues, including carburetor problems, intake manifold or EGR leaks, and fuel delivery problems.

Body Rust: The 1985 Ford F-150 is prone to rust, particularly in the firewall, radiator support, and rear spring hangers. Regular maintenance and inspection of these areas can help prevent rust from becoming a major problem.

Steering Box Cracks: While not as common as in Chevrolet trucks of the same era, the steering box in the 1985 F-150 can crack and cause loose steering.

Window Regulator Failure: The window regulators in the 1985 F-150 can fail, causing the windows to suddenly crash into their respective doors.

Spark Plug Problems: The spark plugs in the 1985 F-150 can break during removal, causing sudden plug ejection or over-tightening, leading to engine damage.

Infotainment System Tech Glitches: The MyFord infotainment system in the 2010 F-150 has been reported to fail, causing the screen to become unresponsive and the rear-view camera to stop working when reversing.

Oil Leaks: The 2010 F-150 has been reported to have oil leaks, caused by gaskets in the oil pan and engine head dripping oil.

These common problems with the 1985 Ford F-150 can be addressed through regular maintenance, inspection, and replacement of worn-out parts. However, some issues, such as electrical problems and engine missing, may require the assistance of a professional mechanic.

Is a 1985 Ford F-150 reliable?

The 1985 Ford F150 is a powerhouse pickup with the ruggedness and durability valued on farm, ranch, and worksite. You'll find plenty of these seemingly-immortal workhorses out there today, going off-road or all dolled up by the tuner set.

What years were Ford trucks bad?

What Are the Best F-150 Models? The best Ford F-150 models years are 2019 - 2023, 2017, 2006 - 2009, 2003, and 1996. The worst model years of the Ford F-150 are 2018, 2010 - 2016, 2004 - 2005, and 1997 - 2002. This is based on reported problems, consumer feedback and ratings from major automotive review sites.

How reliable are old Ford trucks?

Ford F-Series pickups have been the best-selling trucks in the country since 1977. If you take care of them, these long-lasting trucks can run for decades, reaching 200,000 miles or more. Models 25+ years old are sturdy enough to be your daily driver, unlike other classic cars you can buy but only drive occasionally.

What is the best year to buy a Ford truck?

Best Ford F-150 Trucks to Buy Used

2018 Ford F-150. The 2018 Ford F-150 is recognized as the most modern model on the market but comes with a heftier price tag. ...
2012 Ford F-150. ...
2019 Ford F-150. ...
2009 Ford F-150. ...
2015 Ford F-150.

Is a 1985 Ford F-150 reliable?

When did Ford trucks get bad?

What year Ford truck is most reliable?

The most reliable model years for the F-150, not including 2021 or later, include: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

How long do old Ford trucks last?

A Ford F-150 is expected to last around 200,000 miles when properly cared for. Since the average driver clocks in about 12,000 miles per year, this comes out to roughly 17 years.

1985 Ford Ford truck car problems categorized by type of issue

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

Tires problems

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

1985 Ford Ford truck complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford Ford truck.

2002-06-24

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2002-06-08
Number Of Injuries: 3
Number Of Deaths: 2
Crash: 1
VIN: 1FMBU14S9FU
Components: TIRES
Summary: USED TIRES PURCHASED 6 DAYS BEFORE BLOWOUT WHICH INJURED 3 AND KILLED 2. *AK

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2000-09-21

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1FTEF14G2FN
Components: TIRES
Summary: TWO TIRES SEPERATED AT THE THREADS. PEELING COMPLETELY OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT SIDE, FRONT AND REAR. LUCKILY ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, OTHER WISE A MAJOR ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED.( DOT NUMBER: VD60AX7 TIRE SIZE: 311050R15L )

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1985 Ford Ford truck problems:

1985 F350 - Common issues? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1134943-1985-f350-common-issues.html

Jan 30, 2012 ... The firewall cracks and tears around the clutch master cylinder. The radiator support rusts out where it sits on the frame. The rear spring ...

Ford F-150 Questions - I just bought a 85 f150 4.9 4×4 4 on the floor ...

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c4469_ds562099

Oct 9, 2013 ... ... truck.. Is there any problems they have? Anything ... 1985 Ford F-150. -. Maintenance & Repair ... Should i demand a new truck or am i ok to go with ...

Just purchased 1985 f150--problems already need help - Ford Truck ...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/827889-just-purchased-1985-f150-problems-already-need-help.html

Mar 4, 2009 ... 1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Just purchased 1985 f150--problems already need help - I just purchased a 1985 ...

Electrical issues with 1985 f150 - Ford F150 Forum - Community of ...

https://www.f150forum.com/f13/electrical-issues-1985-f150-426799/

Sep 15, 2018 ... If you actually got ~12VDC between the battery (-) and the underhood grounds, it would mean that the main body ground is disconnected (or broken ...