NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Ignition
820.5%
Switch
615.4%
Gasoline
512.8%
Buckle Assembly
512.8%
Interior/Under Dash
410.3%
Frame AND Members
410.3%
Tank Assembly
410.3%
Selector Devices
37.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 10Jul 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Ford F150
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP89005Opened 26 Jan 1989Closed 1 Aug 1989FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
PE89020Opened 7 Dec 1988Closed 1 Jun 1989VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FIRES
EA87020Opened 7 May 1987Closed 24 Sep 1987VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ANALYSIS:A REVIEW OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RESPONSES TO ODI INFORMATIONREQUESTS ISSUED UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS PE 87-012, PE 87-017, ANDPE 87-020, INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE AND/OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SPRING-LOCKFUEL LINE COUPLINGS APPEARED TO BE THE MAJOR SOURCE OR CAUSE OF ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED UPON THIS, AN ENGINEERINGANALYSIS WAS INITIATED WHICH INCORPORATED ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCEDPRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS.ADDITIONAL REPORTS WERE RECEIVED WHICH INDICATEDTHAT SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING SEPARATION HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FORENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE...
PE87017Opened 28 Jan 1987Closed 26 May 1987VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL LEAKS/FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.LEAKS FROM FUEL LINES MAY ALSO BE ACONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.---------------------------------------------------------------------------ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THESPRING LOCK QUICK CONNECT COUPLINGS WHICH CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY ANDRETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINES.-------------------------------------------------------...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 156,000 milesWater Valley, KYFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1986 FORD F-150 WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 150,000 MILES AND WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY HOUSE, NOT RUNNING, WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE TRUCK BURNED NEARLY BURNING MY HOUSE AND TRAILER, AS WELL AS ALL INSIDE IT AND SCARED MY SON AND I TERRIBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10234872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT REPLACED, AFTER REPLACEMENT ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ALTERNATOR BELT REPLACED, AFTER REPLACEMENT ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wittenberg, WIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SITTING ALONE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND INVESTIGATED. HOWEVER, A REPORT WAS NOT FINISHED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE9020.
NHTSA complaint #831532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlett, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FIRE INSIDE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #516666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Janesville, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO CONTROL MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR MALFUNCTIONING, FUEL PUMPED INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, PUT FLAMES OUT W/EXTINGUISHER.
NHTSA complaint #805555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 156,000 milesWater Valley, KYFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1986 FORD F-150 WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 150,000 MILES AND WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY HOUSE, NOT RUNNING, WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE TRUCK BURNED NEARLY BURNING MY HOUSE AND TRAILER, AS WELL AS ALL INSIDE IT AND SCARED MY SON AND I TERRIBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10234872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheeling, WV
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE BACKING INTO THE GARAGE CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THE STEERING BOX ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10024223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesSmithfield, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1986 FORD F150 WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS, FUEL SIPHONS FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, TANK OVERFLOWS CAUSING SPILLAGE ON GROUND. SAME PROBLEM WITH CHECK VALVE ON FORD F150 MODELS DURING 1990 TO 1993 RESULTED IN A RECALL. DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER FILLING BOTH TANKS, FRONT TANK'S FUEL WOULD POUR INTO AND OUT OF REAR TANK. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. *AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY MANUFACTURER TO GET TRUCK FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS PART FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #8004155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amarillo, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #757674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosemead, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOUR TIMES, ONCE WITH A REBUILT CYLINDER AND THREE TIMES WITH NEW CYLINDERS. IT IS BECOMING A HAZARD THAT RECURRS EVERY YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS, AND IS ALSO BECOMING EXPENSIVE. THE LAST INSTANCE COST $180 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #755685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellington, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 4 MODULAR REPLACEMENTS. TRUCK WOULD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING LOCK; INOPERABLE. REPAIRS WERE FROM ALAMEDA FORD, ALL STAR FOD, WINNER FORD; ALAMEDA FORD INDICATED THE PART THAT WEN INTO MODULATOR HA TO BE RE-INVENTED AS PREVIOUS PART NO LONGER MADE. 6/01/99 PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM REPAIR, LOUD CLINK IN ENGINE. TRUCK DELIVERED TO BROADWAY MOTORS FOR REPAIR, CONTACTED B.A.R. TO HAVE MATTER REVIEWED; 4/01 BROADWAY FORD CALLED TO INFORM TRUCK WAS BEING AUCTIONED OFF. OWNER HAD TO REPURCHASE TRUCK, REPAY FOR REPAIRS, APPLY FOR A NEW LISCENCE W/SMOG CERTIFICATE, ETC. IN 6/01 RETURNED VEHICLE TO BROADWAY FORD FOR GEAR BOX REPAIR. ALL REPLACE PARTS AND INVOICES ARE IN OWNER'S HANDS @ 9/24/01.
NHTSA complaint #752536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 4 MODULAR REPLACEMENTS. TRUCK WOULD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING LOCK; INOPERABLE. REPAIRS WERE FROM ALAMEDA FORD, ALL STAR FOD, WINNER FORD; ALAMEDA FORD INDICATED THE PART THAT WEN INTO MODULATOR HA TO BE RE-INVENTED AS PREVIOUS PART NO LONGER MADE. 6/01/99 PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM REPAIR, LOUD CLINK IN ENGINE. TRUCK DELIVERED TO BROADWAY MOTORS FOR REPAIR, CONTACTED B.A.R. TO HAVE MATTER REVIEWED; 4/01 BROADWAY FORD CALLED TO INFORM TRUCK WAS BEING AUCTIONED OFF. OWNER HAD TO REPURCHASE TRUCK, REPAY FOR REPAIRS, APPLY FOR A NEW LISCENCE W/SMOG CERTIFICATE, ETC. IN 6/01 RETURNED VEHICLE TO BROADWAY FORD FOR GEAR BOX REPAIR. ALL REPLACE PARTS AND INVOICES ARE IN OWNER'S HANDS @ 9/24/01.
NHTSA complaint #752536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 4 MODULAR REPLACEMENTS. TRUCK WOULD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING LOCK; INOPERABLE. REPAIRS WERE FROM ALAMEDA FORD, ALL STAR FOD, WINNER FORD; ALAMEDA FORD INDICATED THE PART THAT WEN INTO MODULATOR HA TO BE RE-INVENTED AS PREVIOUS PART NO LONGER MADE. 6/01/99 PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM REPAIR, LOUD CLINK IN ENGINE. TRUCK DELIVERED TO BROADWAY MOTORS FOR REPAIR, CONTACTED B.A.R. TO HAVE MATTER REVIEWED; 4/01 BROADWAY FORD CALLED TO INFORM TRUCK WAS BEING AUCTIONED OFF. OWNER HAD TO REPURCHASE TRUCK, REPAY FOR REPAIRS, APPLY FOR A NEW LISCENCE W/SMOG CERTIFICATE, ETC. IN 6/01 RETURNED VEHICLE TO BROADWAY FORD FOR GEAR BOX REPAIR. ALL REPLACE PARTS AND INVOICES ARE IN OWNER'S HANDS @ 9/24/01.
NHTSA complaint #752536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER TANK, CAUSING AN OVERFLOW, AND ALLOWING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL TO LEAK ONTO GROUND DUE TO CROSSFLOW CONDITION, CHECK VALVE FAILUIRE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Madison, IA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
FUEL IS LEAKING FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER TANK, CAUSING AN OVERFLOW, AND ALLOWING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL TO LEAK ONTO GROUND DUE TO CROSSFLOW CONDITION, CHECK VALVE FAILUIRE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE TRAVELING FROM 50 OR MORE MPH. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #888542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wooster, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT ANY GIVEN TIME VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUTDOWN, LOSING ALL POWER. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #873781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND HAD THE ENGINE REBUILT DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION, OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOW FUEL MILEAGE. THE TRUCK RUNS FINE, BUT WHEN IT GETS HOT IT HAS A TENDENCY TO STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR QUITE A WHILE. I WAS IN OMAHA AND STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, OVER THE RADIO CAME A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING, WITH MY FAMILY WITH ME THERE WAS NO PLACE I COULD TAKE THEM. THERE WAS HAIL BUT AND LUCKILY NO HAIL.. I LEFT MY FAMILY AND WENT TO GET OUR OTHER VEHICLE AND LEFT THE TRUCK. . I AM CURRENTLY OVERSEAS IN KOSOVO, SO I CAN NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT THIS TIME. IS THERE A TIME LIMIT ON THIS RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #734072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinehurst, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE DROVE ROUGH/SLOW AND FAST SPEED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #873097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT IS PEELING DUE TO A LEAD BASE PAINT. OVER THE TIRE WELLS IS RUSTING OUT BECAUSE OF PAINT PEELING OFF.NO SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #732786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucker, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INSIDE HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR KEEPS BREAKING OFF. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED HANDLE 3 TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS BREAKING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #864573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vader, WA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #721750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vader, WA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD COWLING&THECAB HAVE FADED OUT DO TO POOR PRIMER &PAINT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #721751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denville, NJ
STRUCTURE
THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FRAME RAIL AND REAR CROSS MEMBER BETWEEN FRAME RAILS ARE RUSTED DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorain, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY, RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) MJS
NHTSA complaint #547433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Berlin, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT REPLACED, AFTER REPLACEMENT ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.