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1983 Ford F150

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
10Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
19802
19815
198210
198313
198428
198561
1986
Compare all F150 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
3Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

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: 0 of 10 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 3 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 reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING.STARTER STICKS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751037

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

DROVE VEHICLE TO STORE, GOT MIRROR, ARRIVED HOME & PARKED, DAUGHTER G0T PURSE, NOTICED SMOKE, PULLED UP HOOD; FLAMES SHOT UP; VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984547

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED TURNED SWITCH SAW SMOKE, AND CONSOLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI #978983

Official recalls

1

83V028000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Mar 7, 1983

THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.

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

1

DP89005 · F-SERIES Fuel Tank Fires

Opened Jan 26, 1989 · Closed Aug 1, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES