FaultScore report
Owners have filed 85 complaints about the 1988 Ford F250 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the electrical system.
85
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 2 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 144,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
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.
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.
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
SPARE TIRE FIRES
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
FIRES
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Risk: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.
Risk: A FRACTURED WINDOW MAY CONTAIN FRAGMENTS THAT ARE LARGERTHAN THE 425 GRAMS ALLOWED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1988 FORD F-250'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THAT'S WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10175391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1988 FORD F-250'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THAT'S WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10175391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE ON FIRE, THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE BED AGAINST THE TAILPIPE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #845186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE OUTSIDE FRONT OF HOUSE; APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES LATER WAS INFORMED OF VEHICLE BEING ON FIRE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER. NOTIFIED AND HAD NOTHING POSTIVE TO SAY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #838269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
OWNER HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH AND BRAKES ON JUNE 22,1998 (RECALL # 92V026000, 96V071000). 6 DAYS LATER, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE, SOON AFTER BRAKE LOSS AND IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE OCCURRED; VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE PARTS THAT WERE WORKED ON FAILED, BUT FORD DENIES RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #824904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1988 FORD F-250'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THAT'S WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10175391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1988 FORD F-250'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THAT'S WHEN THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA complaint #10175391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK EXPLODED. NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TRANSFER THE FUEL TO THE SECOND TANK AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE VEHICLES ENGINE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER SWITCHED TANKS AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THE GARAGE REMOVED THE GAS TANK. TANK WAS THREE TIMES THE NORMAL SIZE. WHEN TANK EXPLODED IT BENT THE VROSS MEMBER IN FRONT OF THE TANK CAUSING THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO NOW BE BOWED WHERE THE TANK WAS.
NHTSA complaint #10096680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE TREAD WORE OFF THE TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE FIRST TIRE BUBBLED AIR UNDER THE TREAD AND WAS ADJUSTED AT 11K MILES. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIRES ALSO HAD AIR BUBBLES UNDER THE TREAD AND HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CASING AT 14K MILES. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10026627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START.
NHTSA complaint #10016062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BOLTS AND NUTS THAT ATTACH SEAT TO TO FRAME OF VEHICLE HAVE STARTED TO PULL THROUGH FLOORBOARD.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT FRONT NUT WAS DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ALSO THE LEFT REAR NUT WAS PARTIALLY BROKEN LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #888994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE 00 040/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION/TIRE FAILURE: LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, ON A 1988, FORD, F250 WITH AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT235/85R16, DOT# UNVAILABLE. NOTICED MULTIPLE HAIR LINE CRACKS WHERE TREAD MET TIRE. FIRESTONE NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #878307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE ON FIRE, THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE BED AGAINST THE TAILPIPE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #873253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUT OFF/ ENGINE DIE OUT COMPLETELY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER , DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #873259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FIREWALL SHEET METAL FAILURE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CLUTCH AND BRAKE ARE TOO MUCH FORCE FOR THE DESIGN AND GAUGE OF THE FIREWALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE - NO BLOW OUT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: *T*16X6K TIRESIZE: 85R16M/S)
NHTSA complaint #733166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPER MOUNT IS SPREADING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THERE'S IS A BANGING AND SQUEALING NOISE, AND IS VERY HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO GET ANSWERS TO WHY IT'S HAPPENING.
NHTSA complaint #858578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES FORD ISSUED A RECALL AND INSTALLED INSULATORS ON THE CALIPERS TO CURE THE PROBLEM AND EVER WOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND LABOR DUE TPO THE INITIAL PROBLEM . ALSO FORD RECALLED THE VEHICLE ON THE PAINT AND WHEN AFTER 2 YEARS OF TRYING TO GET FORD TO DO SOMETHING THEY SAID I HAD TO MANY MILES ON THE TRUCK . THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT A CUSTOMER
NHTSA complaint #719957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES FORD ISSUED A RECALL AND INSTALLED INSULATORS ON THE CALIPERS TO CURE THE PROBLEM AND EVER WOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND LABOR DUE TPO THE INITIAL PROBLEM . ALSO FORD RECALLED THE VEHICLE ON THE PAINT AND WHEN AFTER 2 YEARS OF TRYING TO GET FORD TO DO SOMETHING THEY SAID I HAD TO MANY MILES ON THE TRUCK . THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT A CUSTOMER
NHTSA complaint #719957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
DUAL FUEL TANKS SWITCHING MODULE FAILED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPEW FROM REAR TANK---AS PER REPORT ON 1990 TO 1993 MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #716943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
WHEN THE DUAL FRONTAL TANK ARE FULL CONSUMER NOTICES FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE FRONT TANK, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS YET TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #854202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO 40' COACHMAN RV WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO 40' COACHMAN RV WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #846540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #845186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE OUTSIDE FRONT OF HOUSE; APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES LATER WAS INFORMED OF VEHICLE BEING ON FIRE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER. NOTIFIED AND HAD NOTHING POSTIVE TO SAY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #838269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #706811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #543868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
OWNER HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON IGNITION SWITCH AND BRAKES ON JUNE 22,1998 (RECALL # 92V026000, 96V071000). 6 DAYS LATER, OWNER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE, SOON AFTER BRAKE LOSS AND IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE OCCURRED; VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE PARTS THAT WERE WORKED ON FAILED, BUT FORD DENIES RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #824904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.