I was told that mid-eighties model Ford's were notorious for electrical problems, is that true?

Well to a point. My SHO had a few (I put 3 wiring harnesses in it). My 84 tempo never had a issue. My 85 t-bird had issues but nothing electrical. My 86 Topaz brunt up, (fire dept said it was electric), my 3 80's ford trucks were good overall, I only had 1 electric problem (my 83 power window's worked when they want to). I guess it is all how you look at the whole line in general. So I guess my answer would be so-so, depends on how it is looked after, after all these cars would be 20+ years now. Hope this helps.

One fo the biggest problems was the TFI (thick film ignition), which could sometimes catch fire at the coil and burn up the engine compartment. Replacing the ignition coil solved the issue. The TFI was used into the later part of the 1980s. I have had several '80s Fords, 1 Lincoln Town Car 1984, 1 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis, and a 1982 Ford F150, and had zero electrical problems whatsoever.