1FTBR1156FUB412111985 FORD Ranger
Executive Summary
1985 FORD Ranger was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 31 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- ▸3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- ▸1 injury reported across 31 owner complaints
- ▸High fire risk — 10 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ▸Fuel System is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- ▸Complaint language indicates serious real-world safety incidents beyond routine mechanical failures
- ▸Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Ranger
- Year
- 1985
- Body Style
- Pickup
- Vehicle Type
- TRUCK
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Doors
- 2
- Manufacturer
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Assembly
- LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Builds Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Standard quality; some launch-year complaints.
- ▸Brake system recall
- ▸Fuel system recall
- ▸10 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ▸1 recall(s) involve fire or ignition risk
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Fuel System
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~69%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
FORD completes recalls at a good rate (89%), averaging about 18 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~18 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SummaryCERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
SummaryEQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.Read full details...
~32% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SummaryTHE 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 THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
First complaint was filed 3.5 years before the recall was issued — manufacturer was aware of this issue for years before acting.
39% of complaints filed in May & Feb — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
13 complaints use high-severity language including fire, burned, caught fire — these are not minor inconveniences.
▸ Engine stalling at speed — fuel delivery failure can cause sudden loss of power in traffic or on highways
▸ Engine derate or no-start condition — DEF system failure puts vehicle into limp mode limiting speed to 5mph
The blue line shows 31 total NHTSA complaints filed over 8 years, with the worst year being 1996 (15 complaints, including 1 crash report).
The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 100/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.
The red dashed line marks recall issuance — the first recall came 3 years after owners began filing complaints, a lag that indicates the manufacturer was slow to formally acknowledge these problems.
Red dots on the amber line flag 1996, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $52,964 (~$883/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
FORD Ranger has a moderately elevated theft risk (2.2× average).
FORD has been fined $17M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2015: Failure to timely file Early Warning Reports on defect data.
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1FTBR1156FUB41211 |
| Model Year | 1985 |
| Make | FORD |
| Model | Ranger |
| Vehicle Type | TRUCK |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Assembly City | LOUISVILLE |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1FT |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 6 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | F |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | U |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | B41211 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 31 |
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/1/2026, 2:44:58 PM.