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: 5 of 89 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports43 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
89 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2003
Unknown Or OtherCrash
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. (NO OTHER INFO WAS GIVEN) *JB THE FIREWALL GAVE AWAY FROM THE FORCE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND TOOK AWAY SO MUCH FREE TRAVEL THAT THE CLUTCH DID NOT RELEASE AND PULLED AGAINST THE BRAKES WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUS…
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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. (NO OTHER INFO WAS GIVEN) *JB THE FIREWALL GAVE AWAY FROM THE FORCE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND TOOK AWAY SO MUCH FREE TRAVEL THAT THE CLUTCH DID NOT RELEASE AND PULLED AGAINST THE BRAKES WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10014809
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.( OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-89-278)
NHTSA ODI #567654
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2002
Steering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #765182
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2002
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOESN'T STAY SECURE INTO THE SECURING MECHANISM, ALL OTHER SEAT BELTS WORK EXCEPT THIS ONE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #759808
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH RUNNING MY TRUCK AND ONCE THE ENGINE IS HOT, WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP WITHOUT LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT RUINS THE STARTER AND BATTERY CABLES. IT HAS SMOKED 4 TIMES AND I HAD TO USE MY FIRE EXTINQUISHER ONCE. I HAVE HAD 8 STARTERS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 1 NEW BATTERY, AND THREE SETS O…
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I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH RUNNING MY TRUCK AND ONCE THE ENGINE IS HOT, WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP WITHOUT LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT RUINS THE STARTER AND BATTERY CABLES. IT HAS SMOKED 4 TIMES AND I HAD TO USE MY FIRE EXTINQUISHER ONCE. I HAVE HAD 8 STARTERS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 1 NEW BATTERY, AND THREE SETS OF BATTERY CABLES. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOT EVEN FORD'S MASTER MECHANICS HAVE HAD AN ANSWER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754633
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
I DO BELIEVE THAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THERE GAS TANK'S ON FORD PICK UP TRUCKS I OWN 1 MY DAD OWN'S 1MY BROTHER OWN'S 1 MY SON N LAW OWNED 1 AND MY NEPHEW OWN'S1 AND THAY ALL HAVE THE SAME PRBLEM GAS TANK'S ON ALL OF THEM LEAK TRUCK'S RANGE FROM 1987THROUGH1996 I DO THINK FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751809
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL GAS TANKS. THE FULE RETURN FLOW ALWAYS GOES TO THE FRONT TANK. THIS CAUSES GAS TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FRONT TANK WHEN IT IS FULL AND YOU ARE RUNNING OFF THE REAR TANK, CAUSING AN EXTREME FIRE HAZARD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751013
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLES HAS DUALTANKS. WHEN BACK TANK IS FILLED AND SWITCHES TO FRONT TANK GAS FLOWS TO FRONT AND SPILLS OUT. CONSUMER SPUN OUT FROM A RED LIGHT THINKING IT WAS OIL. GOT TO WORK AND NOTICED GAS WAS SPILLING FROM GAS TANK. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1990, F150. *AK THE GAS WAS SPILLING DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEF…
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VEHICLES HAS DUALTANKS. WHEN BACK TANK IS FILLED AND SWITCHES TO FRONT TANK GAS FLOWS TO FRONT AND SPILLS OUT. CONSUMER SPUN OUT FROM A RED LIGHT THINKING IT WAS OIL. GOT TO WORK AND NOTICED GAS WAS SPILLING FROM GAS TANK. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1990, F150. *AK THE GAS WAS SPILLING DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF THE GAS TANK. *YH
NHTSA ODI #894454
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineFire
THE VEHICLES ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND WITH OTHER VEHICLES IN TOW, THE FIRE APPARENTLY STARTED WHEN FUEL ESCAPED UNDER PRESSURE FROM BREACH IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK, THE TRAILER AND CONTENTS TO CATCH ON FIRE, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY RECALL 87V-139. NLM
NHTSA ODI #560964
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL IS COMING FROM FRONT TANK BECAUSE OF PRESSURE.*AK
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, FRICTION WILL CAUSEPREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING CONTROL COULD BEAFFECTED ADVERSELY.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY BEARING OR RACE SHOWING SIGNS OF GALLING OR HEAT SPOTS.
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
2
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
PE89020 · Fires
Opened Dec 7, 1988 · Closed Jun 1, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1987 Ford F150 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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