FaultScore

1988 Ford F150 fuel system problems

32 of the 170 complaints about the 1988 Ford F150 are about the fuel system — 19% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 89,000 miles.

F

32

Complaints

0

Crashes

6

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Selector Devices 11 34.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline 4 12.5%
Fuel System, Other 3 9.4%
Delivery 2 6.3%
Tank Assembly 2 6.3%
Carburetor System 2 6.3%
Fuel Injection System 2 6.3%
Auxillary Tank 2 6.3%
Fuel Pump 1 3.1%
Injectors 1 3.1%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Ford F150 year

1986 14 4.7%
1987 22 7.3%
1988 32 10.7%
1989 93 31.0%
1990 139 46.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Robonsinville, MS

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 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 complaint #10370548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Ragland, AL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

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 complaint #10218024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pequot Lakes, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10041138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plattsmouth, NE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

VEHICLE HAS DUAL TANKS AND GAS IS COMING FROM FRONT TANK FILLING UP THE REAR TANK, AND CAUSING GAS TO SPRAY OUT OF GAS CAP. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escondido, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL LEAK DUE TO CRACK IN SEAM OF GAS TANK.

NHTSA complaint #8002170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escondido, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

CONSUMER HAS TWO TANK ATTACHMENTS TO TRUCK, WHEN REAR TANK IS FULL OF GASOLINE, FRONT TANK WILL LEAK OUT GASOLINE ONTO GROUND, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER IS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL FUEL TANKS, WHEN REAR TANK IS USED AND FRONT TANK IS FULL GASOLINE WILL LEAK OUT FROM FRONT FUEL TANK FILLER NECK ONTO GROUND. ALSO THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE REAR TANK WILL FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY, CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH, WHICH CONTROLS THE RETURN LINE OF THE FUEL, INSTEAD OF ROUTING TO REAR TANK IT GOES INTO FRONT TANK.

NHTSA complaint #8002173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escondido, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

CONSUMER HAS TWO TANK ATTACHMENTS TO TRUCK, WHEN REAR TANK IS FULL OF GASOLINE, FRONT TANK WILL LEAK OUT GASOLINE ONTO GROUND, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER IS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL FUEL TANKS, WHEN REAR TANK IS USED AND FRONT TANK IS FULL GASOLINE WILL LEAK OUT FROM FRONT FUEL TANK FILLER NECK ONTO GROUND. ALSO THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE REAR TANK WILL FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY, CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH, WHICH CONTROLS THE RETURN LINE OF THE FUEL, INSTEAD OF ROUTING TO REAR TANK IT GOES INTO FRONT TANK.

NHTSA complaint #8002173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escondido, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

CONSUMER HAS TWO TANK ATTACHMENTS TO TRUCK, WHEN REAR TANK IS FULL OF GASOLINE, FRONT TANK WILL LEAK OUT GASOLINE ONTO GROUND, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER IS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL FUEL TANKS, WHEN REAR TANK IS USED AND FRONT TANK IS FULL GASOLINE WILL LEAK OUT FROM FRONT FUEL TANK FILLER NECK ONTO GROUND. ALSO THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE REAR TANK WILL FLUCTUATE RAPIDLY, CONSUMER THINKS THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH, WHICH CONTROLS THE RETURN LINE OF THE FUEL, INSTEAD OF ROUTING TO REAR TANK IT GOES INTO FRONT TANK.

NHTSA complaint #8002173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Dorado, AR Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, PLASTIC FUEL LINE COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE FUEL INJECTORS, CRACKED, CAUSING VALVE COVER TO LEAK OIL AND SPRAY IT UNTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH, IN TURN, RESULTED IN A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #836539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nacogboches, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

DOUBLE TANK SHUT OFF VALVE FAILED TO OPERATE WHENEVER FUEL FILLED ONE TANK AND OVERFLOWED TO THE OTHER TANK. INSTEAD OF CUTTING OFF WHEN FULL, THE TANK OVERFLOWED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED. AND WILL NOT CORRECT PROBLEM UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #834059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Rapids, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL TANK: PUMPS FLUID FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER , LEAKING THROUGH SELECTOR VALVE INTO OTHER TANK. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BOTH TANKS WERE FULL AND GAS SPRAYED OUT THE FILL SPOUT ONTO THE TRUCK, VEHICLES FROM 1989 TO 1993 ARE COVERED UNDER RECALL, HOWEVER THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #819593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylor, AR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL OVREFLOWS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER, CAUSING A HEAVY SPILLAGE 0F FUEL WHILE DRIVING .VEHICLE HAS DUAL GAS TANKS. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #818600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, GASOLINE WOULD OVERFLOW FROM REAR TANK TO FRONT TANK. FUEL IN FRONT TANK WOULD THEN OVERFLOW BACK TO REAR TANK WHICH FLOWS BACK TO FRONT TANK, CAUSING SPILLAGE.

NHTSA complaint #815180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albany, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

GAS GAUGE INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #516061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lesburg, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

THE SELECTIVE VALVE WHEN IT FAILS WHEN IT PUMPS GAS FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER, CAUSING THE TANK TO WHICH ITS PUMPS THE GAS TO OVERFILL AND SPILL GAS OUT OF THE VENT WHICH CAUSES A FUEL LEAK, PUDDLES UNDER THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #806290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eustale, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #512250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #511090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kent, WA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FAILURE ON THE FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT, WHEN TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE COUNTINES TO RUN.

NHTSA complaint #803640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eustale, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #508913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newald, WI Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

PARKED TRUCK FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES WHEN TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. A FORD REPRESENTATIVE EXAMINED AND STATED FIRE CAUSED BY CARBURETOR WHICH IN THIS TRUCK IS FUEL INJECTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #802795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duncan, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL GAUGE MOVES ERRACTICALLY FROM EMPTY TO FULL DUE TO SHORT, RUINING FUEL PUMP/SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #507562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duncan, AZ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FAILED AUXILIARY TANK SELECTOR SWITCH CAUSES FUEL TO BE EXPELLED WHEN IT PUMPS IT INTO THE OTHER TANK.

NHTSA complaint #507562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seth, WV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL SYSTEM PUMPS FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, WHEN BOTH TANKS ARE FULL, FUEL OVERFLOWS.

NHTSA complaint #506834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT. Sterling, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

THE AUXILLARY GAS TANK PUSHES GAS INTO THE FRONT, FULL TANK AND WILL CAUSE THE TRUCK TO CUT OFF.*AK

NHTSA complaint #986931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicopee, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

THERES A CRACK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, ALSO SPRINGS HAVE SNAPPED.

NHTSA complaint #986616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burlingame, KS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

AUTO STALLS OUT ALL THE TIME, AFRAID OF HAVING SOMEONE HIT HER BECAUSE OF IT. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER IT SITS FOR A FEW MINUTES, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING GAS WHILE DRIVING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #986670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntingdon, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

CROSSOVER INTAKE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #504373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Skagway, AK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR APPROX 1 MILE AND PARKED TRUCK BEGAN TO BURN AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY UP.

NHTSA complaint #983861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Skagway, AK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR APPROX 1 MILE AND PARKED TRUCK BEGAN TO BURN AND IT BURNED COMPLETELY UP.

NHTSA complaint #983861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hickory Cone, MI Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

DUAL TANK. GASOLINE EATING AWAY AT THE UNDERCOATING, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #983359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1988 Ford F150 problems

← Full 1988 Ford F150 report