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.
What to inspect
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
What owners actually said
139 reports
69,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND WOULD SPORADICALLY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEIR RECORDS ONLY WENT BACK AS FAR AS TEN YEARS AND THEY COULD NOT VERIFY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 9…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND WOULD SPORADICALLY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEIR RECORDS ONLY WENT BACK AS FAR AS TEN YEARS AND THEY COULD NOT VERIFY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO VERIFIED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #10403857
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE HAD FAILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE HAD FAILED AND FUEL FROM ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS WAS OVERFLOWING INTO THE SECOND TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10370548
89,000 miles · Feb 14, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE FOR THE 1989 MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE 1989 MODEL, THEY HAD TO INSTALL TWO FUEL PUMPS IN EACH TANK. THE DEALER ALSO I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE FOR THE 1989 MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE 1989 MODEL, THEY HAD TO INSTALL TWO FUEL PUMPS IN EACH TANK. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A CHECK VALVE TO STOP THE LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT HIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A CHECK VALVE, WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR THE FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA ODI #10218024
135,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Suspension
THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVES' SIDE AROUND THE GEAR BOX AND IN ANOTHER AREA WHICH LEAVES IT VERY UNSTABLE. THE TIRE IS WOBBLY, DODGES AND DARTS AROUND ON THE ROAD. *AK ALL OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10124286
45,000 miles · Aug 18, 2004
Electrical System
VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089172
117,000 miles · Apr 28, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE PEDAL STICKS WHEN PEDAL IS AT >80% THROTTLE POSITION. AFTER TRACING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND IT IS IN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. APPLYING OIL WILL FIX FOR 1-2 MONTHS BEFORE PROBLEM RETURNS. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!
NHTSA ODI #10067983
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL FORD F-150, F-250 & F-350 TRUCKS FROM 1985 TO 1998 WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS. THE FRONT GAS TANK ON THESE VEHICLES TEND TO LEAK AFTER TIME CAUSING POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF FIRE & EXPLOSIONS. THERE ARE MANY F SERIES TRUCKS THAT HAVE THIS LEAKING PROBLEM & IT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041138
10,000 miles · Sep 5, 2003
Visibility
FORD COMPANY SOLD ME A DEFUNCT ENGINE, HAS 10,000 MILE ON THE ENGINE,THAT THAY SOLD ME. THAY WELL NOT STAN BEHINE IT. THE DEALER HERE IN PERRY SAID THAT IT WAS DEFUNCT, BUT COULD NOT HELP ME BECOUSE IT WAS FORD MOTOR COMPANY WARRANTY, NOT THERE. CAN YOU HELP ME? THANKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037280
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
Structure
WHILE SELF INSPECTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRAME BROKE OFF FROM THE FRONT AND THE REAR. *AK
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