- The problem
- Brake master cylinders may have improperly anodized internal surfaces causing accelerated wear of a piston seal. Consequence of defect: one portion of the split brake system would become ineffective resulting in increased stopping distance which may cause an accident. Driver would be warned by increased pedal travel and the brake warning light.
- The fix
- Master cylinders built on january 9, 1985 will be replaced.
Vehicle safety record
1985 Ford Thunderbird Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 1985 for the master cylinder.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Thunderbird year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1985 Ford Thunderbird recalls 1
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
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird 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 Thunderbird: every year compared
All Thunderbird years1985 Ford Thunderbird vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Ford Thunderbird | 0 | 1 | B | |
| 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 Thunderbird
Does the 1985 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1985 Ford Thunderbird: master cylinder (March 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 Thunderbird had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1985 Ford Thunderbird a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 74 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Ford Thunderbird 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 Thunderbird years have the most complaints?
1960 (1), 1965 (1). See every Ford Thunderbird year compared.
What should I do if my 1985 Ford Thunderbird 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