1985 Ford Ranger Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Ford Ranger (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford Ranger. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and visibility (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 system12 44%
- Engine cooling3 11%
- Fuel system2 7.4%
- Suspension2 7.4%
- Other or unknown1 3.7%
- Steering1 3.7%
- Tires1 3.7%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #880172, filed 2001-02Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,000 and 27,000 miles.
Complaints 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 Ranger 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 26 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 25 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
2 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
- 85V045000Apr 17, 1985Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford Ranger 1985
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…
Recall details for the 1985 Ford Ranger → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP85020Stalling when coldClosed · Apr 11, 1985
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Ford Ranger.
Other model years of the Ford Ranger
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 32 | 8 | 4 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 44 | 1,050 | 13 | 4 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 95 | 4,200 | 13 | 4 | 22 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 18 | 1,850 | 4 | 4 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 38 | 15,500 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 119 | 32,800 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 67 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 130 | 20,000 | 7 | 4 | 23 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 270 | 19,500 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 90 · More | Rising |
| 2011 | 235 | 48,750 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 156 | 51,000 | 8 | — | 21 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 169 | 36,250 | 7 | — | 21 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 326 | 62,500 | 5 | — | 18 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 270 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 272 | 69,720 | 12 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 289 | 57,500 | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 405 | 66,803 | 10 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 243 | 56,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 346 | 55,700 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 515 | 82,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 670 | 82,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 755 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 576 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 411 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 413 | 116,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 321 | 139,026 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 438 | 115,915 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 232 | 93,904 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 189 | 93,324 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 132 | 82,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 105 | 145,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 73 | 82,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 89 | 89,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 50 | 109,117 | 4 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 35 | 109,368 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 27 | 27,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 12 | 135,000 | 6 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 11 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Ranger model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1985 Ford Ranger as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Ford Ranger is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (44% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.
Has the 1985 Ford Ranger been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Ford Ranger get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Ford Ranger (Ranger Pickup 2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 19 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1985 Ford Ranger reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,000 miles and the middle half falls between 27,000 and 27,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.