The 1985 Ford Mustang has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 320,008 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS92V0630001992-04-29306,000 affected
Defect
THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
Consequence
IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC85V0680001985-05-2114,008 affected
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
1fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1
Total complaints22
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Fuel pump intermittently works. Sometimes I hear it kick in and sometimes it doesn't, like today after work. I replaced the fuel pump in 2004 and the fuel filter to the tune of $550.00. I was not given the old parts. I am worried I may have to get it done again tomorrow. I think the first repair…”
“The vehicle had rear suspension problems. *nm the consumer experienced an accident when the roadway was damp. The rear of the vehicle slid making the consumer lose control of the vehicle and hit a tree. *sc *jb”
“Seat belt was recalled in 1992. The problem was repaired, and the recall letter stated that repairs were for the life of the vehicle. Currently, seat belts were not latching properly, and the manufacturer would not repair the problem free of charge.*ak”
“I took my car to the dealer to check on campaign # 92v063000. He said he couldn't help because my vin # didn't come up. *nlm”
“The vehicle was parked and the vehicle caught fire (engine comparment fire). *ak”
“Parked vehicle in driveway, underhood fire ignited; all wires melted down; according to fire dept, could be caused be electrical short. *ak”
“Vehicle was parked/keys were removed vehicle then rolled out into the main traffic, causing vehicle to be struck by a van. *sd”
“Distributor replaced six times.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA86010 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…
InvestigationEA91003 Opened 1990-10-29 · closed 1992-04-30
SAFETY BELT TONGUE BREAKS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE87028 Opened 1987-05-01 · closed 1988-01-21
STALLING
NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN DETECTED.===
InvestigationPE89118 Opened 1989-04-19 · closed 1989-09-06
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 Mustang as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.