1985 Ford Ranger problems
The Ford Ranger is a compact or mid-size pickup marketed globally by Ford over a series of generations, varying between both in-house or outside development and manufacturing — and with a hiatus in North America from 2011–2018.
Debuting as a compact pickup in North America in 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Ranger was later introduced in some South American countries. From 1998 to 2011, the Ranger nameplate was used for models developed by Mazda for sale outside the North American market. In 2011, Ford introduced the first Ranger based on the T6 platform. Considered a mid-size pickup truck, the model was developed in-house by Ford Australia. In that same year, the North American-market Ranger was discontinued, leaving the T6 platform-based Ranger as the sole Ranger model worldwide.
For the 2019 model year, the Ranger was reintroduced in North America using the globally-marketed T6 model. It is manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant at Wayne, Michigan. The Ranger is smaller than the F-150 and larger than the Maverick in the Ford North American pickup truck range, while for markets outside the Americas it is typically the only Ford pickup offered for sale.
The second generation of the T6-based Ranger was released in 2021 for worldwide markets, using a revised T6 platform.
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Common 1985 Ford Ranger problems
The 1985 Ford Ranger, a compact pickup truck, is known for its ruggedness and reliability. However, some common problems have been reported by owners over the years.
- Steering Problems: Long-time Ford Ranger drivers have reported loose steering wheels, which can be caused by worn-out steering components or alignment issues.
- Transmission Problems: Earlier models of Ford Ranger have struggled with transmission problems, including shaky or delayed transmission, car jerking, and gear slips.
- Brake Rotors: In 1998, there was a recall for aftermarket brake rotors on certain Ford and Mazda trucks, including the Ford Ranger, due to cracked castings that could cause loss of braking.
- Fuel Pump: In 2007, there was a recall for certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under various brand names, including the Ford Ranger, due to the potential for fuel pump diaphragm leaks, which could create a vehicle fire hazard.
- Oil Pump Issues: Ford Ranger owners have reported issues related to the oil pump, which can be caused by deteriorating or poor parts used in this component.
- Transmission System Problems: Both automatic and manual transmission Ford Rangers have shown issues, including unusual slippage with the gearbox and transmission fluid leaks.
- Turbocharger Failure and Crankshaft Damage: Ford Ranger owners have reported turbocharger failure and damage to the crankshaft, which can result in a significant drop in fuel economy or unusual noises coming from the engine.
- Fuel Injector Issues: Some Ford Rangers have fuel injector problems, which can cause the engine light to come on, unsteady idling, or engine misfires at times.
- MAF Sensor Issues: Similar to fuel injector problems, a defective or dirty MAF sensor can cause issues with airflow detection, leading to symptoms such as unsteady idling or engine misfires.
To address these issues, it is essential to consult a professional mechanic for diagnosis and repair. Regular maintenance and proactive steps can also help extend the longevity of the Ford Ranger and prevent these common problems.
What are the bad years for Ford Ranger?
A: Yes, some Ford Ranger model years have proven less reliable than others. It's best to avoid the following years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2019. These years have been subject to numerous customer complaints and issues.
How reliable is an old Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger has received above-average reliability ratings from JD Power and Consumer Reports. RepairPal ranks the used Ford Ranger with a 4.0/5 reliability ranking, which is #3 in its class. With few recalls and consumer complaints in its history, the used Ford Ranger is a reliable truck for sale near you.
What is the most common problem with the Ford Ranger?
Common engine problems on a Ford Ranger include a turbo failure and engine crank damage which causes excessive overheating, dark smoke from the exhaust, and a dip in fuel economy. Engine problems can land your car in serious trouble. Thus, it is always better to consult a mechanic right after you've spotted any faults.
What engine is in a 1985 Ford Ranger?
The base engine in '85 was the 73-horsepower 2.0-liter "Pinto" four-cylinder, though the optional 80-horse 2.3-liter version of that engine was a lot more common. This truck has the most powerful engine available in a Ranger that year: the 2.8-liter Cologne V6 of Capri fame.
What was the problem with the 1985 Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger's biggest issue was the cooling system. Bad repairs with incorrect parts had created a bottleneck so bad in the lower radiator hose that almost no fluid was circulating through the engine.
What are the bad years for Ford Ranger?
A: Yes, some Ford Ranger model years have proven less reliable than others. It's best to avoid the following years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2019. These years have been subject to numerous customer complaints and issues.
How reliable is an old Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger has received above-average reliability ratings from JD Power and Consumer Reports. RepairPal ranks the used Ford Ranger with a 4.0/5 reliability ranking, which is #3 in its class. With few recalls and consumer complaints in its history, the used Ford Ranger is a reliable truck for sale near you.
What engine is in a 1985 Ford Ranger?
The base engine in '85 was the 73-horsepower 2.0-liter "Pinto" four-cylinder, though the optional 80-horse 2.3-liter version of that engine was a lot more common. This truck has the most powerful engine available in a Ranger that year: the 2.8-liter Cologne V6 of Capri fame.
1985 Ford Ranger car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Ranger problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Visibility problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Ford Ranger vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1985 Ford Ranger
The NHTSA has received 31 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford Ranger. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1985 Ford Ranger vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-03-16
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
- Summary: STALLS AT ANY TEMPERATURE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED I HAVE TO ALMOST FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL TO GET MOVING W/O STALLING. HEATER GETS ALMOST TOO HOT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-03-01
- VIN: N/A
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS CUTTING OFF BECAUSE IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTBR10A2FU
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS AT ALL SPEEDS, IT APPEARS TO BE A MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR, PLACED NEAR ENGINE BLOCK. ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH SPEEDOMETER CABLE.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-10
- VIN: 1FTBR10C2FU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S U JOINT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BREAK DAMAGING THE FUEL TANK AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTBR10A1GU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE. ONCE AT 80,000,AND AGAIN AT 200,000 MILES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-02-01
- VIN: 1FTBR10S4FU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STALLED WHITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER WAS CRANKING ENGINE, BUT IT DID NOT START. CONSUMER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE. THEN,COULD START VEHICLE WITHOUT A PROBLEM.*AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1FTBR10C9FU
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: STREAM AND LIQUID CAME OUT OF HEATER SYSTEM, BURNED DRIVER'S LEG AND FOOT, CAN NOT USE HEATER. *CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. PLEASE PLROVIED FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-01
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 3 TIRES WITHIN 3 MONTHS HAD TREAD COME OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: AUVRUR351 TIRESIZE: LT2.15/75R)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTBR11S2FU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: NO SUMMARY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: INTERMITTENT ENGINE STALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTBR10A4FU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-01
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-16
- VIN: 1FTDR1OA5SU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: OWNER STATES UPON TURNING HEATER ON THERE IS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND THERE IS FAULTY WIRING AND THIS COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-01
- VIN: 1FTCR14A5GP
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PARK IN IDLE POSITION, JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1985-01-01
- VIN: 1FTBR11S3FU
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: REAR AXLE FAILED. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601571) *DH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1987-01-01
- VIN: 1FTBR11S3FU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. *DH
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-24
- Crash: 1
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: LEFT REAR AXLE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *DH
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FTCR10A2FU
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: OUTER STEERING RING IS COMING APART, WOBBLING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. AREA DEALERS ARE AWARE OF SAME FAILURES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTCR11A6FU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE IGNITION HOT WIRE/SWITCH AREA. (PER ARSON INVESTIGATOR). *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTCR1084FU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DASH FIRE. *DH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-06-16
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK, PARKED VEHICLE, WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, HALF HOUR TO HOUR LATER VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-06-16
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK, PARKED VEHICLE, WENT INSIDE OF HOUSE, HALF HOUR TO HOUR LATER VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-30
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BACKING VEHICLE UP, FRIEND STOPPED BY, SMELLED WIRING BURNING, SOON SMOKE APPEARED IN STEERING COLUMN, SOON AFTER FIRE ENGULFED THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-30
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BACKING VEHICLE UP, FRIEND STOPPED BY, SMELLED WIRING BURNING, SOON SMOKE APPEARED IN STEERING COLUMN, SOON AFTER FIRE ENGULFED THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. *AK
1985 Ford Ranger recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1985 Ford Ranger.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: AIMCO PRODUCTS INC.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
- Summary: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
- Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
- Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: THE NYLON FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES ARE IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALONG THE FRAME SIDE RAIL AND COULD CONTACT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUCH CONTACT COULD CAUSE ABRASION OF THE LINES AND LOW PRESSURE FUEL LEAKAGE CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
- Remedy: REROUTE OR REPLACE AFFECTED FUEL LINES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1985 Ford Ranger problems:
1985 Ford Ranger Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Faults: Clutch master cylinder. Clutch slave cylinder. Passenger rear taillight. AC belt broke. Both door latches on the outside broke.
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