Home / Ford F150 / 1988 ← New search 1988 Ford F150 Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Illustration Same car. Limited comparison data There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison → Overview Common problems Recalls Investigations What to inspect Owner reports
How this year compares Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F150 years → Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most All reported categories 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: 9 of 139 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.
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports → Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports → Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 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 reports47 fire reports4 injury reports
Wheels complaints 2 reports Clear category filter Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME TO WOBBLE, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE STRIKING A PASSING SEMI, AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER AND AXLE, THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT 250 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT HE HAD A BRAKE JOB AND IT APPEARED T…
Read full complaint WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME TO WOBBLE, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE STRIKING A PASSING SEMI, AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER AND AXLE, THE DRIVER INDICATED THAT 250 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT HE HAD A BRAKE JOB AND IT APPEARED THAT ALL FIVE LUG NUT CAME OFF CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH
NHTSA ODI #562931
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1996
Suspension Wheels
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, TURNED CORNER AND LEFT REAR JUST FELL OFF. ON ANOTHER INCIDENT (4) OF THE (5) LUG BOLTS SHEARED OFF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #801525
Official recalls 2 Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Sep 2, 1988
SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.
Consequence & remedy Consequence: A FRACTURED WINDOW MAY CONTAIN FRAGMENTS THAT ARE LARGERTHAN THE 425 GRAMS ALLOWED.
Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT WINDOW PANELS.
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 6 EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE91017 · Ford Truck Inconsistent Vehicle Control. Opened Nov 27, 1990 · Closed Apr 17, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SEE CLOSE RESUME
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
PE89003 · Steering Column Drops Opened Oct 13, 1988 · Closed Feb 8, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
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