1985 Ford Escort Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 35%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 1985 Ford Escort, 35% of the 26 complaints for this model year. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Seat belt latch incorporates a plastic spacer which holds metal bar in position, the metal bar holds the seat belt webbing in place, the plastic has become brittle and no longer holds the bar in position, allowing the seat belt not to stay fastened, consumer states manufacturer will not sell plastic part, which would require him to purchase an entire seat belt assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #561204, filed 2001-05Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 5 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 39 | 12% |
| 1998 | 43 | 11% |
| 1997 | 114 | 21% |
| 1996 | 14 | 7% |
| 1995 | 48 | 8% |
| 1994 | 30 | 11% |
| 1993 | 40 | 11% |
| 1992 | 36 | 22% |
| 1991 | 104 | 32% |
| 1990 | 46 | 46% |
| 1989 | 64 | 42% |
| 1988 | 75 | 52% |
| 1987 | 28 | 50% |
| 1986 | 19 | 42% |
| 1985 | 9 | 35% |
| 1984 | 11 | 52% |
| 1983 | 2 | 29% |
Other parts of the 1985 Ford Escort
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1985 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology