Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird peaked in 1996, with 5 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1985 Ford Thunderbird
gasoline, 4x2, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Sep 29, 1995 to Nov 29, 2016.
Recall campaigns covering this model year13,508 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1414.0 times the median 1985 vehicle
Severity index42.9Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
64% of complaints about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85V-025 | Mar 11, 1985 | Brake master cylinders may have improperly anodized internal surfaces causing accelerated wear of a piston seal | Brakes | 3,508 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
14 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Nov 29, 2016Failure Jul 1, 2016134,000 milesSpokane, WAElectrical system
UPON TURNING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A KEY, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND INSPECTED THE SOURCE WHICH SEEM TO COME FROM STEERING COLUMN. AFTER REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL COVER, I NOTICE THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH UNIT HAD BLACK BURNT LOOKING PLACES ON IT. I DECIDED TO REMOVE THE UNIT AND REPLACE IT. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10928441 - Filed Aug 23, 2001Failure Jul 1, 2001Delanco, NJIgnition
MY FIRST COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE ATEMPTING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIED AS IF I HAD TURNED OFF THE KEY. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND JUST BARELY AVOIDED BEING HIT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART UNLESS I JIGGLED THE KEY. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT THE TOLD ME HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE SWITCH AND THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE NOW. HOWEVER IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO REMOVE THE SWITCH DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT HAD MELTED TO THE WIRING HARNESS. I STILL HAVE THE PART IN MY POSSESSION. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE STATOR PICK-UP ASSEMBLY UNDER THE BASE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP. NOT ONCE BUT TWICE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS ASSEMBLY DUE THE FACT THAT IT HAD MELTED AND FELL APART. IN THIS INSTANCE MY FAMILY WAS WITH ME AT A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION WHERE IT TOOK ME ROUGHLY 20 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR TO REFIRE ENOUGH TO MOVE IT OUT OF HARMS WAY. ALL THE CAR WOULD DO IS START UP RUN ENOUGH TO ROLL IT A LITTLE MORE FORWARD. I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE CAR BUT BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC I GAVE UP RATHER THAN BEING STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AGAIN I CALLED FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PART. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IF THERE IS SOME ORGANIZATION THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME OR PERHAPS YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH INFORMATION AS TO WHAT LEGAL GROUP I MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTACT.*AK
NHTSA complaint 751023 - Filed Jan 3, 2001Grass Valley, CAIgnition
IGNITION MODULE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED THE SHUT OFF OF GASOLINE FLOW IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHANCE OF RESTART. *YH
NHTSA complaint 563897 - Filed Jul 15, 1999Monrovia, CASwitch, Fuel system, Hoses, Lines/piping
IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY FAILS AND BLOWS FUSES.
NHTSA complaint 547272 - Filed Jan 20, 1999Failure Dec 14, 1998Philadelphia, PAVehicle speed controlCrash1 injured
HAD PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT FOR AWHILE. RETURNED TO VEHICLE & ENTERED. STARTED VEHICLE & WAS MOVING WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & TOOK OFF FOR NO REASON. FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME. VEHICLE HIT 2 PARKED VEHICLES & A FENCE. DRIVER WAS INJURED. *AK
NHTSA complaint 833727 - Filed Dec 3, 1997Failure Nov 24, 1997Seattle, WASeats
SEATBACK FAILED DUE TO A BOLT DISCONNECTING. *AK
NHTSA complaint 526426 - Filed Apr 10, 1997Failure Mar 20, 1997Chadron, NESwitchFire
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint 516371 - Filed Aug 7, 1996Failure May 1, 1994Amherst, NYGasolineFire
CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 983274 - Filed Jul 18, 1996Soldotna, AKSwitchFire
THE IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED, ALL THE WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint 987129 - Filed Apr 22, 1996Failure Jan 1, 1995Madison, NJSwitchFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA complaint 983223 - Filed Apr 22, 1996Failure Apr 22, 1996Belford, NJSwitchFire
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
NHTSA complaint 503304 - Filed Apr 19, 1996Failure Apr 1, 1996SAN Deigo, CASwitch
WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED, SMELLED OF WIRING BURNING FOR A PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA complaint 983056 - Filed Nov 7, 1995Failure Aug 10, 1992SAN Diego, CAService brakes, Master cylinder
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED TWICE, PRIOR TO RECALL. (85V025000) *DSH
NHTSA complaint 487729 - Filed Sep 29, 1995Failure Jan 1, 1986West Union, OHService brakes, Foundation components
BRAKES DON'T HOLD. *DSH
NHTSA complaint 488832
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on file
- EA86010 Engineering analysis, Seats
SEATBACK FAILURE
Opened Mar 26, 1986, closed Jul 28, 1989 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
19 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- 99196 Sep 20, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT - 99222 Oct 18, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT - BC8899950401 Apr 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
UNKNOWN - 01157 Aug 6, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC - 01156 Aug 6, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC - 002310 Nov 13, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT - 0015 Jan 10, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS - 99152 Jul 26, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT - 9874 Apr 13, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC - 9852 Apr 13, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC - 9888 Apr 27, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC - 985A13 Mar 18, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC - 97511 Mar 3, 1997 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD - 962612 Dec 16, 1996 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW - 96221 Oct 21, 1996 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW - 96249 Nov 18, 1996 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW - 96246 Nov 18, 1996 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW - 95212 Oct 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAK… - 9562 Mar 1, 1995 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.