- The problem
- The forward outboard pedestal of the seat track of driver's seat may be susceptible to fatigue fracture.
- The risk
- This could result in a limited degree of rocking motionof the drivers seat assembly upon acceleration or deceleration, which couldcause an accident.
- The fix
- Install a reinforcement on all models and a new seat track as necessary
Vehicle safety record
1985 Ford Escort Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1985 Ford Escort have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 1989 for the seats.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Escort year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1985 Ford Escort recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- External cracks above the number 3 cylinder (1984 models) or rocker arm cover gaskets splitting (1985 models) could allow oil to leak onto the exhaust manifold.
- The risk
- Engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust manifold couldresult in an engine compartment fire.
- The fix
- Replace cracked cylinder heads (1984 models); replace rocker arm cover gaskets (1985 models).
- The problem
- The throttle lever may not return to idle position due to misalignment of the air conditioner shut off switch to the throttle lever pin. Consequence of defect: a jammed throttle could result in a loss of accelerator control, without prior warning, and an accident.
- The fix
- Adjust shutoff switch and assure proper alignment to throttle lever pin.
What owners say
Be the first Escort owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1985 Ford Escort yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Escort: every year compared
All Escort years1985 Ford Escort vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Ford Escort | 0 | 3 | C | |
| 1985 Ford Bronco | 20 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1985 Ford Bronco II | 13 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1985 Ford Escort
Does the 1985 Ford Escort have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1985 Ford Escort: seats (October 1989); engine (June 1989); vehicle speed control (May 1985). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1985 Ford Escort had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1985 Ford Escort a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Escort year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Escort years have the most complaints?
2001 (99), 2002 (88). See every Ford Escort year compared.
What should I do if my 1985 Ford Escort has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data