Defect
HEAT SHIELDS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPES WERE OMITTED DURING PRODUCTION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: AFTER SEVERE DUTY USE, SUCH AS HIGH SPEED PURSUIT, THE OUTLET PIPES…
Remedy
INSTALL CATALYTIC CONVERTER OUTLET PIPE SHIELDS.
1985 Ford Ltd Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1985 Ford Ltd has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 22,679 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
BRAKE BOOSTER REAR SHELLS MAY HAVE REDUCED WALL THICKNESSES WHICH COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: REPEATED BRAKE USE COULD CAUSE THE SHELL TO CRACK AND THE BOOSTER…
Remedy
INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
1crashes2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1fires
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
2deaths
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tube running from the catalytic converter had 1/2 sparks coming from underneath floorboard on driver's side. Consumer will contact the dealer. Add more information.*ak”
“While driving on highway, tread on right rear firestone tire separated. *ak dot # ejr1dek116, tire size p215 75 r15. *slc”
“When driving at 40 mph and making any type of turn, vehicle is cutting off without prior warning. Problem is intermittent. *ak”
“After starting the vehicle, an electrical short in the wiring harness, caused the wiring under the hood to caught fire.”
“Failure on the throttle, consumer was placing the vehicle in reverse with his foot on the brake and the vehicle accelerated in reverse, causing the consumer to have an accident. *ak *ml”
“Ignition switch failed 3 times, once causing fire.”
“Vehicle fire due to failure of the ignition switch, prior to recall notice.”
“The front passenger shoulder belt snapped when involved in an accident. Please explain. Tt”
Defect investigations
Investigation EA86010 Opened 1986-03-26 · closed 1989-07-28
SEATBACK FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD BELIEVES THAT THE AL-LEGED DEFECT ONLY OCCURS IN A SMALL NUMBER OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ANDRECALLED ABOUT 195,732 1984 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES IN JUNE 1986.ANALYSIS: VEHICLES POTENTIALLY INVOLVED INCLUDE TEMPO/TOPAZ, ESCORT/LYNX/EXP, MUSTANG/CAPRI, LTD/MARQUIS, AND…
Investigation PE87028 Opened 1987-05-01 · closed 1988-01-21
STALLING
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Ford Ltd as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.