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.
Switch
627.3%
Gasoline
522.7%
Front Underhood
313.6%
Interior/Under Dash
29.1%
Ignition
29.1%
Front
29.1%
Underbody Shields
14.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.5%
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.
Jan 1995peak 4Dec 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Ford F250
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.
PE94065Opened 19 Aug 1994Closed 28 Dec 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
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
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 143,719 milesCape Girardeau, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 1986 FORD F-250 6.9 L DIESEL EXTENDED CAB 2WD , I HAD HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH ON THE TOP. THE TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I QUICKLY IDENTIFIED A PLACE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BY THE RADIO AND BUILT IN CLOCK, JUST AS THE TRUCK HAD LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH A ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THE IGNITION WIRING. I WAS LUCKY THE TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN UP. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET AND WONT BE FIXED UNTIL I FIND OUT MORE. DOES FORD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS?.... IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM WHAT IM READING ABOUT OTHER INCIDENTS....
NHTSA complaint #10372317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minn, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OWNER'S HOME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CAB AREA. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ONE WEEK. BELIEVES FIRE TO HAVE STARTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #825820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Normandy, TNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #522167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #509131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasanton, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #503902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, AZFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AN ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LEAKAGE FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #802588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 143,719 milesCape Girardeau, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 1986 FORD F-250 6.9 L DIESEL EXTENDED CAB 2WD , I HAD HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH ON THE TOP. THE TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I QUICKLY IDENTIFIED A PLACE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BY THE RADIO AND BUILT IN CLOCK, JUST AS THE TRUCK HAD LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH A ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THE IGNITION WIRING. I WAS LUCKY THE TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN UP. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET AND WONT BE FIXED UNTIL I FIND OUT MORE. DOES FORD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS?.... IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM WHAT IM READING ABOUT OTHER INCIDENTS....
NHTSA complaint #10372317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 374,941 milesHattiesburg, MS
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY (NO SHOULDER) WHEN BELT AND TREAD OF RIGHT REAR TIRE PEELED OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS TO NEAREST TURN OFF, PULL OFF ROADWAY, AND PUT MY SPARE ON. ON COMING AND FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAD TO SWERVE (SOME OFF OF ROAD) TO AVOID PIECES OF DISINTEGRATING TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10345185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 379,237 milesHattiesburg, MS
TIRES
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 8/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS SECOND TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORT # 10345185 FOR FIRST).
NHTSA complaint #10345187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 379,237 milesHattiesburg, MS
TIRES
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 7/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS THIRD TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORTS #10345185 & #10345187 FOR FIRST & SECOND).
NHTSA complaint #10345191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northpoint, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED.*AK CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE LINE HAD RUPTURED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MIDWAY THE CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #8015278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS BUMPER FAILED. BUMPER HAD BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR. CONSUMER HAS USED BUMPER AT LEASE 10 TIMES AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8008096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marcellus, MI
TIRES
THE TIRE STARTED TO COME APART WHILE DRIVING THE OHIO TURNPIKE, SOUNDED LIKE RUMBLE STRIPS PRIOR TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 265 /16)
NHTSA complaint #754552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Visalia, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE THE LAS 6 MONTHS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ALL SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEMS. REPLACED IGNITION TWICE AND BIG BOX FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHING ON LEFT SIDE UNDER HOOD BY FIREWALL. IT STOPS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WON'T STAY RUNNING AND MY SONS 81 BRONCO IS DOING THE SAME THING ALSO. THE OIL PRESSURE IS REAL LOW IN TOWN WHEN I STOP AND START. THE TRUCK DIES AND WON'T START FOR A WHILE. I HAVE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW. RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T GET MY SONS 81 BRONCO TO STAY RUNNING AND HAVEING TROUBLE GETTING IT TO START. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RECALL AND WHY DID FORD SKIMP ON MY FAVORITE VEHICLE. I NEVER HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 73 AND I DROVE IT FOR 15 YEARS. I WANT SOME ANSWERS. THANK YOU LEONA THOMASON. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16 INCH LT)
NHTSA complaint #752794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
TIRES
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT WITH THESE TIRES. FORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES, ONLY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. IF I WAS ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, OR DRIVING ALONT THE COAST THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS. BOTH TIMES VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANES TO AVOID TIRE DEBRIS (AND ME). I HAVE REPLACED ALL FIRESTONE TIRES AT MY EXPENSE. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. I HAVE A FULL SIZE CAMPER ON THIS TRUCK, AND WHEN A TIRE BLOWS DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. IN OVER 400,000 MILES OF DRIVING I'VE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS. BOTH FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDOR1WW485 TIRESIZE: 23585R16)
NHTSA complaint #746145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marisian, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE PADS FOR DISC BRAKES, BRAND:BENDIX. ADHESIVE USED ON PADS DID NOT ADHERE TO PADS, CAUSING STEEL SHIMS TO MOVE TOWARDS ROTOR. STEEL SHIMS WERE CUTTING INTO ROTOR. IN TIME ROTOR WILL BE CUT IN HALF. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER AFTER 1 NOV 2000, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT A COMMON COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #874735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FIRE WALL SHEET METAL BROKE APART AT THE SEAM CAUSING THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH INOPERABLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #552034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hyram, UT
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH INNER TIE ROD BROKE, AND THE TIRES CAME OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #847965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheyenne, WY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISING DOWN TWO-LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET. HIT BRAKE FOR UPCOMING STOP SIGN. WHEN BRAKE RELEASED, CRUISE CONTROL TRIED TO TAKE ME BACK TO 65 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TO HIT OFF BUTTON. NEED INFO ON HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THIS TIME. THANKYOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #704531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH PUSHES HARD RESULTING IN CRACKED FLOOR BOARDS AND THE CLUTCH NOT RELEASING.
NHTSA complaint #542813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I MOVED TO TENNESSEE IN 1990 FROM LANSING MICHIGAN. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER .... HARPETH FORD-MERCURY INC. IN FRANKLIN TENNESSEE. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM.(THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WON'T BUCKLE UP)...SHOWED THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND TOLD HIM I THOUGHT THAT SEAT BELTS WERE AN MVSS ITEM. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $93 FOR THE SEAT BELT AND 2 HOURS INSTALLATION. THIS WOULD COME TO TOTAL OVER $200 PLUS TAX. IS FORD RESPONSABLE TO FIX THE DEFECT OR SHOULD I GO AHEAD AND PAY IT. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK AT A DEALER IN MICHIGAN AND NOW LIVE IN TENNESSEE. CAN ANY DEALER FIX THIS? SHOULD THE DEALER HAVE KNOWN THAT SEATBELTS ARE MVSS AND FIXED THE VEHICLE OR SET UP AN APPOINTMENT? I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP. ALSO, HAS ANYBODY ELSE REPORTED THIS FAILURE? THANKS AGAIN, MIKE HURLEY
NHTSA complaint #700685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Severn, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE GREASE SEAL HAS BLOWN OUT ON THREE OCCASIONS, CAUSING GREASE TO GET ON BRAKE SHOE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER ARE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #826721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minn, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OWNER'S HOME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CAB AREA. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR ONE WEEK. BELIEVES FIRE TO HAVE STARTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #825820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Normandy, TNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #522167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redford, MI
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE TOO SHORT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STRETCH ENOUGH, TO FASTEN.
NHTSA complaint #808818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #509131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasanton, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #503902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, AZFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AN ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LEAKAGE FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #802588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cottonwood, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AN ELECTRICAL AND FUEL LEAKAGE FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #802588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deming, NMFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING THE WIRE UNDER THE DASH NEAR THE IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE VEHICLE UP, WHITE SMOKE NOTICED.
NHTSA complaint #979424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
STARTED AUTO UP, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO STREET NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #986959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.