1985 Ford Ltd problems

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The Ford LTD (pronounced ell-TEE-dee) is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range (then the Ford Galaxie 500), the LTD moved the Ford range upmarket, offering options and features previously reserved for Mercury and Lincoln vehicles. For much of its production life, the LTD competed against the Chevrolet Caprice (atop the Chevrolet Impala); the Mercury Marquis served as its divisional counterpart from 1967 until 1986.

For its first three generations, the LTD served as the largest Ford vehicle in North America. Initially debuting as a two-door and four-door hardtop sedans, the LTD range at various times would also include two-door and four-door pillared sedans, a two-door convertible, and a five-door station wagon (in woodgrain trim, as the LTD Country Squire). In South America, Ford manufactured the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 into the 1980s using the Ford LTD nameplate.

From 1977 to 1979, the full-size LTD was joined by the intermediate-segment Ford LTD II (replacing the Ford Torino/Gran Torino range). For 1979, the LTD was downsized; while remaining a full-size car, it became externally smaller than the LTD II. For 1983, the LTD became a mid-size car as it replaced the Ford Granada, with the previous full-size car renamed the Ford LTD Crown Victoria (renamed Ford Crown Victoria for 1992).

For 1986, the mid-size LTD was replaced by the Ford Taurus as Ford expanded its use of front-wheel drive vehicles, with both lines sold for 1986.

1985 Ford Ltd

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Common 1985 Ford Ltd problems

The 1985 Ford LTD, a classic American sedan, is known for its comfort and enduring appeal. However, like any vehicle, it has certain common problems that owners have reported over the years.

One common issue is related to the engine, specifically the 3.8L V6 and 5.0L V8 engines that were available for this model.

Another problem that has been reported is related to the fuel system. Pre-unleaded cars had a larger fuel filler, while unleaded cars had a smaller fuel filler neck to avoid accidental filling with leaded fuel. Therefore, it is recommended to use an additive when running the car on unleaded fuel to prevent damage to the fuel system.

The 1985 Ford LTD's transmission, the Ford AOD, is also known to cause problems. The design of the AOD can make it lock up at the shift from 2nd to 3rd, which can lead to a loss of power and a decrease in fuel efficiency. This can be particularly noticeable when driving at speeds between 35-45 mph, where the car may struggle to accelerate without downshifting or lugging the engine.

Finally, some owners have reported issues with the car's electrical system. For example, some cars may not start, even after replacing various components such as the alternator, distributor, spark plugs/wires, fuel filter, battery, and coil.

In summary, the 1985 Ford LTD is known for its comfort and enduring appeal, but like any vehicle, it has certain common problems that owners have reported over the years. These include issues with the engine, fuel system, transmission, and electrical system. By addressing these issues promptly, owners can help ensure that their 1985 Ford LTD remains a reliable and enjoyable vehicle for years to come.

1985 Ford Ltd engine

What size engine is in the 1985 Ford Ltd?

The 3.8 liter V-6 is standard in LTD Wagons and optional in LTD and LTD Brougham Sedans.

How much horsepower does a 1980 Ford Ltd have?

For its 1980 introduction, Ford produced the LTD Crown Victoria with two engines (both of them V8s). In place of six-cylinder engines as standard equipment, a 130hp 4.9L V8 (the previous 302, rounded up to 5.0L by Ford) was standard, with a 140hp 5.8L V8 (351) as an option.

What years were the Ford Ltd made?

The Ford LTD (pronounced ell-TEE-dee) is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford for the 1965 to 1986 model years.

What year is the Ford Ltd in Men in Black?

1987

1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.

What size engine is in the 1985 Ford LTD?

The 3.8 liter V-6 is standard in LTD Wagons and optional in LTD and LTD Brougham Sedans.

What engine did the Ford LTD have?

The base engine was the 302 cid V8. The next largest engine was Ford's 351 CID V8, the most common choice. Still larger was Ford's 400 CID V8. Topping the range was the 429 cid V8, which was replaced by the 460 CID V8 for 1974.

What did LTD stand for in Ford cars?

Ford introduces two new luxurious. Standard size cars The 1975 Ford LTD Landau The 1975 Ford LTD back in 1965 Ford introduced the letters LTD. As the top luxury trim of their Galaxy line the two-door

How much horsepower does a 1980 Ford LTD have?

For its 1980 introduction, Ford produced the LTD Crown Victoria with two engines (both of them V8s). In place of six-cylinder engines as standard equipment, a 130hp 4.9L V8 (the previous 302, rounded up to 5.0L by Ford) was standard, with a 140hp 5.8L V8 (351) as an option.

1985 Ford Ltd car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Electrical system problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Tires problems

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

1985 Ford Ltd complaints

The NHTSA has received 18 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford Ltd.

2001-03-13

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2001-02-26
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1FABP43F8FZ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: TUBE RUNNING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD 1/2 SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH FLOORBOARD ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK
2001-02-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 2FABP44F3FX
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE THICK FILM MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
2000-11-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE CONSUMER HAS SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE STALLING IS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. *MJS
2000-10-04

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-30
  • VIN: 2FABP44F7FX
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TREAD ON RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE SEPARATED. *AK DOT # EJR1DEK116, TIRE SIZE P215 75 R15. *SLC
2000-05-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: NOT AVAILAB
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HOT/STALLED OUT DUE TO TFI IGNITION MODULE BEING TOO CLOSE AND MOUNTED ON THE SIDE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
1999-05-20

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-04-12
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, VEHICLE IS CUTTING OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *AK
1998-01-08

PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: PARKING BRAKE
  • Summary: PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY, RESULTING IN VACUUM LEAK. *AK
1997-02-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-02-10
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1FABT39AXFG
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD TO CAUGHT FIRE.
1997-02-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-28
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1FABP43F7FZ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: IGNITION SWITCH FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING FIRE.
1996-10-30

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-28
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1FABP43F71X
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
1996-10-18

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-10-17
  • Number Of Injuries: 3
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 2FABP44FXFX
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: FAILURE ON THE THROTTLE, CONSUMER WAS PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AK *ML
1996-06-19

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-06-21
  • Number Of Deaths: 2
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED DURING HEAD ON COLLISION PINNING DRIVER IN VEHICLE FOR 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES, CAUSING DRIVER TO BLEED TO DEATH.*SD
1996-06-19

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-06-21
  • Number Of Deaths: 2
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: TWO POINT SEAT BELT SEVERED OCCUPANT AT THE DIAPHRAGM IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING FATALITY. *SD
1996-05-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: 1FABP3937FA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: AFTER PARKING, MOMENTS LATER FOUND UNDERNEATH DASH IN FLAMES, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK
1995-06-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELTS HANG LOOSE SOMETIMES. *AK .
1995-06-20

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-06-08
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELT SNAPPED WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
1995-02-25

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
  • VIN: 1FABP3935FA
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, ALSO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE APPLIED TO BRAKES DURING SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED BRAKES TO BURN OUT. *SKD
1995-02-09

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
  • VIN: 1FA8P3938FA
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD

1985 Ford Ltd recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1985 Ford Ltd.

2007-08-27
  • Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
  • Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
  • Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
1985-06-11
  • Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  • Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
  • 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.
1985-05-21
  • Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
  • 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.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1985 Ford Ltd problems:

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1985 Vic LTD - idling / running issues - VIDEO | Box Tech | Crownvic ...
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https://www.justanswer.com/ford/7eokp-ltd-sw-1985-ford-ltd-3-8l-cfi-spuddering.html

Dec 13, 2012 ... try cleaning the MAF( If you have one on your vehicle with a soft cloth and carb cleaner). The MAF must be getting correct airflow >>no vacuum ...

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1985 Ford LTD Reviews - Carsurvey.org
1985 Ford LTD Reviews - Carsurvey.org
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Jul 6, 2005 ... Power steering went out at 199000. Serpentine belt broke at 199000. Back Passenger window crank broke at 125000. General Comments: This car has ...

Other years of Ford Ltd

ford ltd 1986 photo
Ltd 1986
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ford ltd 1987 photo
Ltd 1987
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ford ltd 1988 photo
Ltd 1988
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ford ltd 1989 photo
Ltd 1989
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Ltd 1990
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ford ltd 1991 photo
Ltd 1991
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1985 Ford Ltd photo