1985 Ford F-250 Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 12 city / 14 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Ford F-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford F-250. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and engine cooling (3). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 7 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system6 29%
- Brakes4 19%
- Engine cooling3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.5%
- Steering2 9.5%
- Tires2 9.5%
- Equipment1 4.8%
- Seat belts1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
- Suspension1 4.8%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The hauling camper had numerous engine shut offs at various speeds due to ignition module failure. This failure caused loss of power steering and brakes. The consumer states that the manufacturer should correct this design defect.”
NHTSA complaint #785681, filed 2001-09Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Ford F-250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 12 | 14 | 13 | $5,150 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 14 | 12 | $5,600 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,600 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 11 | 11 | 11 | $6,100 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 11 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed manual | 11 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| F250 Pickup 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| F250 Pickup 4WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 16 | $4,200 |
8 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V111000Aug 14, 1986Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Ford F-250 1985–1986
Trucks fail to meet requirement of fmvss no. 301, fuel system integrity, in a 30 mph front angular barrier test impact because of the omission of the nose shield on midship fuel tank. Consequence of defect: in case of an accident, fuel spillage in the trucks…
- 84V162000Dec 26, 1984Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel railCovers: Ford F-250 1985, Bronco 1985, F-150 1985
Metal burrs and sharp edges on fuel rails may have damaged adjacent o-ring seals during assembly. The defect could cause fuel leakage when engine is operating.
Recall details for the 1985 Ford F-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Ford F-250.
Other model years of the Ford F-250
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 142 | 81,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 43 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 95 | 77,000 | 0 | 4 | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 266 | 78,750 | 1 | 4 | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 248 | 70,000 | 2 | — | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 73 | 75,666 | 0 | — | — | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 54 | 67,703 | 0 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 197 | 70,000 | 7 | — | — | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2007 | 60 | 42,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 221 | 60,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 144 | 65,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 154 | 39,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 116 | 75,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 156 | 89,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 220 | 65,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 326 | 75,768 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 581 | 99,000 | 14 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 56 | 115,738 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 304 | 115,604 | 10 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 176 | 125,940 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 184 | 129,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 123 | 103,000 | 8 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 130 | 160,000 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 119 | 91,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 107 | 102,000 | 5 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1990 | 111 | 119,052 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1989 | 112 | 98,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 62 | 144,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 38 | 135,000 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 38 | 377,089 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 21 | — | 2 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 10 | 208,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-250 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Ford F-250 have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford F-250 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Ford F-250 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1985 Ford F-250 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Ford F-250 get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Ford F-250 (F250 Pickup 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 14 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.