IllustrationTHE TRUCK KEEPS TRYING TO START ON ITS OWN. IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND HIT MY HUSBAND IN THE BACK. THEN HE MOVED FAST OR IT WOULD HAVE RAN OVER HIM. THE TRUCK STILL WOULDN'T QUIT TRYING TO CRANK, SO HE UNDONE THE BATTERY AND IT SHOCKED HIM. ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IGNITION. *NM
1988 Ford F Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F Series years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
189V009000 · Steering:linkages
Jan 24, 1989
BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY LOOSEN, ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEELS TO OSCILLATE WITH FRONT END SHIMMY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP94002 · Defective Wiring
Opened Mar 10, 1994 · Closed Apr 25, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:interconnecting Assembly(wiring)
DEFECTIVE WIRING
PE90023 · Fire In Heater/ac Plenum
Opened Dec 5, 1989 · Closed Mar 1, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE89130 · Firewall Fracture
Opened Jun 15, 1989 · Closed Nov 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
===