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
1135.5%
Foundation Components
516.1%
Gasoline
412.9%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
39.7%
FAN
26.5%
Clutch Assembly
26.5%
Tread/Belt
26.5%
Master Cylinder
26.5%
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.
Mar 1995peak 7Oct 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 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
EA93014Opened 4 Jun 1993Closed 29 Jul 1994ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
PE91090Opened 20 Jun 1991Closed 25 Oct 1991EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE FIRES
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
Recalls on the 1987 Ford F250
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
87V140000
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
Risk: NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
87V139000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Flagstaff, AZCrash1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT BROKE OFF FROM THE TRACKS AFTER REAR IMPACT AT 50 MPH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND ITEM WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #865766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAKING EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOLLEY CARBURETOR RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #512064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brigham City, UTFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER 4 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. FUEL LEAK INDICATED AS ENTIRE TRUCK AND ROAD WERE INFLAMED.
NHTSA complaint #705686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seligman, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERDASH WHILE PARKED CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED BY OWNER; NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S IGNITION SWITCH RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #811399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winterset, IAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #800107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mohave Valle, AZFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #986561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 135,000 milesMadera, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10096851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Burnie, MD
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BRIDGETONE, LT235/85R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS RESULT THE BUMPER, TAIL PIPE AND FENDER WAS DAMAGED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10083966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
California City, CA
TIRES
WITH NO WARNING, RT FRONT TIRE BLEW APART. LOUD, LOUD BANG AND TRUCK JERKED ONTO THE SHOULDER, UP OVER A 2 FOOT HIGH BERM, AND TOOK NEARLY 300 YARDS TO STOP. NOTHING SEEN IN THE ROAD THAT I MAY HAVE HIT, TIRES HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED 1 WEEK PRIOR. (WE ARE EXTREMELY WE DID NOT ROLL OVER) TIRE HAS 4-5 SLITS GOING FROM TIRE BEAD TO TIRE TREAD, AND LOOKS LIKE THE TIRE BLEW RIGHT ACROSS THE TREAD. I DO HAVE THE TIRE, AND RETRIEVED SEVERAL FEET OF TREAD. HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER, AS I DON'T KNOW WHO MADE IT. OTHER DOT NUMBERS ON THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE AS FOLLOWS (THE DOT # I GAVE EARLIER APPEARS TO BE CORRECT, HOWEVER, DAMAGE TO THE NUMBER OCCURRED) DOT VDOR 8AC 315, VDOR 8AC 076, VDOR 8AC 076. TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES ON THEM AND WERE PURCHASED AT THE EDWARDS AFB EXCHANGE, EDWARDS AFB CA. 93524, ON 01/05/97. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FAILURES SUCH AS THIS, AND ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS TIRE? THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDOR8AC245 TIRESIZE: L235/85R16) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #750892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE PROPERLY AND PLACED ME IN A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS CLUTCH IS HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED AND A DEALER REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I INVESTIGATED THE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH AND FOUND THE CAB FIREWALL, WHERE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IS BOLTED TO IT, DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE CLUTCH OPERATIONAL STRESSES APPLIED TO IT. THIS FIREWALL HAD STARTED TO SEPARATE AND ALLOWED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER TO MOVE WHEN IT WAS ACTUATED, THEREBY THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ABLE TO DISENGAGE.
NHTSA complaint #748330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridgecrest, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I HAVE OWNED 2 F250 PICKUPS. ONE 1983 AND ONE 1987. THEY BOTH HAVE HAD 2EA FAILURES OF THE FUEL LINE TO CARBURATOR FLOAT BOWL FITTING. THE FLOAT BOWL PART NUMBER FROM FORD IS E5TZ 9510-MB. THE THREADED BORE OF THE FLOAT BOWL BECOMES BELL SHAPED OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRONT FLOAT BOWL. THIS FUELS LEAKS ON THE HOT MANIFOLD. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND SIMPLY RAISED THE PRICE ON THE REPLACEMENT PART TO EARN MORE PROFIT. IT USED TO BE LESS THAN $50 AND CURRENTLY IS OVER $80. I WILL SEND TWO SAMPLES OF THE PART SO YOU MAY SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT IS HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE NO DOUBT AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF FORD F250'S.
NHTSA complaint #736773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flagstaff, AZCrash1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER SEAT BROKE OFF FROM THE TRACKS AFTER REAR IMPACT AT 50 MPH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND ITEM WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #865766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAKING EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOLLEY CARBURETOR RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #512064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingwood, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO GET STUCK IN THAT MODE. ALSO, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE COASTED, AND TURN OFF ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. .
NHTSA complaint #840687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingwood, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO GET STUCK IN THAT MODE. ALSO, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE COASTED, AND TURN OFF ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. .
NHTSA complaint #840687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brigham City, UTFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER 4 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. FUEL LEAK INDICATED AS ENTIRE TRUCK AND ROAD WERE INFLAMED.
NHTSA complaint #705686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
ACCIDENTAL FIRE, RESULTED FROM AN UNSPECIFIED FUEL LEAK EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOLLEY CARBURETOR.
NHTSA complaint #512064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado S, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING OF FLUID, ALSO DAMAGING OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #539389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
STEERING COLUMN BECOMES HOT DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #507096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairplay, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
CONSUMER PULLED OFF GRAVEL ROAD ONTO A BLACK TOP WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL SMOG LOCKED UP. THER WAS NO WARNING AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #826290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AFTER A LOT OF WORK.
NHTSA complaint #544400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE, REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL LOST THE BRAKES ANYTIME THEY GOT HOT.
NHTSA complaint #544400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE BLEW UP, REPLACE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #544400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
FAN BROKE AND A FIECE FLEW THRU THE HOO OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #544400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orangevale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF GIVING THE DRIVER NO INDICATION. AFTER THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF IT TAKES 5 HOURS FOR THE VEHICLE TO START.THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED . OWNER HAS REPALCED SEVERAL PARTS ON VEHICLE TRYING TO STOP THE SUDDEN CUT OFFS.
NHTSA complaint #816712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE FAN BROKE AND A PIECE FLEW THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #522400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Patterson, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DRIVING IN MOUNTAIN AREA A TOWING TRAILER. BRAKES WOULD FAIL GOING DOWN HILL. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED & FOUND NOTHING. HAD MASTER CYLINDER CHANGED & BRAKES STILL FAILED. WOULD KICK IN A BIT. BRAKES FAILED WITH OR WITHOUT TRAILER BEHIND. GOING ON 10 YEARS HAS VEHICLE IN YARD NOW. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #816965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Hueneme, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN OVERHEATS.
NHTSA complaint #515404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seligman, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERDASH WHILE PARKED CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED BY OWNER; NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S IGNITION SWITCH RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #811399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHEN APPYLING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, SPEED SENSOR IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN REPLACED ALSO THE VALVE ASSEMBLY AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. CONSUMER WILL ADD REPAIR INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #806381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE CLUTCH CAME APART, PURCHASED TRUCK USED FROM SOMEONE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #800387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.