Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1988 Ford F350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
926.5%
0 crashes, 7 fires · median 150,000 mi
Brakes
720.6%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Tires
411.8%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Engine & Cooling
411.8%
0 crashes, 4 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
38.8%
Body & Structure
25.9%
Steering
25.9%
Other & Unspecified
12.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seat Belts
12.9%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Suspension
12.9%
Exactly what failed
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.
Mar 1995peak 3Jan 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 Ford F350
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.
PE94004Opened 25 Jan 1994Closed 29 Apr 1994SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS
EA93014Opened 4 Jun 1993Closed 29 Jul 1994ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
EA91044Opened 30 Oct 1991Closed 30 Oct 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
PE91090Opened 20 Jun 1991Closed 25 Oct 1991EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE FIRES
PE91077Opened 23 May 1991Closed 31 Oct 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
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
PE89011Opened 3 Nov 1988Closed 19 Apr 1989VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
POWER LOSS
Recalls on the 1988 Ford F350
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
96V071000
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.
92V026000
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.
88V146000
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.
88V015000
SUSPENSION
STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEMS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY CONTROL STEERING TYPE WOBBLE ALLOWING THE FRONT END TO SHIMMY.
Risk: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE VEHICLE FRAME OR STEERINGGEAR CREATING POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Victorville, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE, THANKFULLY WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE IT TOOK MORE THAN A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT, HAD TO USE HOSE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. FORTUNITELY FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ALT. AND PLUG. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT REPLACING THE PLUG WAS TOLD IT CAME WITH THE NEW ALT. BECAUSE OF INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH SHORTS AND FIRES. CAN YOU IMAGINE IN I WAS HOOKED TO MY FIFTH WHEEL AND OUT IN THE DESERT, WITCH I AM ALOT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN HUGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT I CAN'T BELIEVE WASNT ATTENDED TO.
NHTSA complaint #757696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE, AND DIDN'T KNOW IF RECALL EVER APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #889233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green BAY, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, RENDERING ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INOPERABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #885358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLCrash3 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THERE HAS BEEN TWO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREADS ARE DELAMINATING AND SEPARTATING FROM DONUT. CAR CASSES HAVE BEEN RETAINED FOR YOUR INSPECTION AND RETESTING. MANUFACTURER IS DEMANDING THAT ALL TIRES AND PIECES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY DELIVERED TO THERE FACILITIES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: H20RYD3E TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)
NHTSA complaint #735964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eaton, HICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK
NHTSA complaint #730472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
HAD VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE SERVICE. WAS GOING DOWNHILL & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED. BRAKES ON FIRE. PUT FLAMES OUT. DEALERSHIP TOWED VEHICLE. MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS RECEIPT FROM THE SAME DEALER STATING THEY PERFORMED BRAKE RECALL REPAIRS 100 MILES PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #844839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 150,000 milesAustin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NO LONGER LOCK OR LATCH . WHEN REPLACING THE LATCHING SIDE ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WEB WAS COVERED WITH AN INTERIOR COLOR MATCHING TRIM PIECE . RUNNING INSIDE THE TRIM PIECE WAS AN ELECTRIC HARNESS WHICH OPERATED THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE HARNESS EXITED THE TRIM AND WAS ROUTED BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. IT MORE OR LESS MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN . THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS SPLIT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BELTS WEBBING . TO ME THIS SEEMED TO HAVE WEAKENED THE RESTRAINT OF THE SEAT BELT BY 50% .
NHTSA complaint #10148537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAustin, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NO LONGER LOCK OR LATCH . WHEN REPLACING THE LATCHING SIDE ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WEB WAS COVERED WITH AN INTERIOR COLOR MATCHING TRIM PIECE . RUNNING INSIDE THE TRIM PIECE WAS AN ELECTRIC HARNESS WHICH OPERATED THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE HARNESS EXITED THE TRIM AND WAS ROUTED BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. IT MORE OR LESS MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN . THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS SPLIT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BELTS WEBBING . TO ME THIS SEEMED TO HAVE WEAKENED THE RESTRAINT OF THE SEAT BELT BY 50% .
NHTSA complaint #10148537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Victorville, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE, THANKFULLY WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE IT TOOK MORE THAN A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT, HAD TO USE HOSE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. FORTUNITELY FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ALT. AND PLUG. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT REPLACING THE PLUG WAS TOLD IT CAME WITH THE NEW ALT. BECAUSE OF INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH SHORTS AND FIRES. CAN YOU IMAGINE IN I WAS HOOKED TO MY FIFTH WHEEL AND OUT IN THE DESERT, WITCH I AM ALOT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN HUGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT I CAN'T BELIEVE WASNT ATTENDED TO.
NHTSA complaint #757696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE, AND DIDN'T KNOW IF RECALL EVER APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #889233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green BAY, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, RENDERING ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INOPERABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #885358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakley, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRST, RIGHT REAR TIRE SHREADED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY BREAKING OFF FRENDER, SENDING DEBRIES INTO CAR BEHIND CAUSING DAMAGE. SECOND TIRE SEPARATION ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO STEERING AND BRAKES.*AK( DOT NUMBER: ADOR9J6082 TIRE SIZE: LT23585R16 )
NHTSA complaint #737117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakley, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRST, RIGHT REAR TIRE SHREADED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY BREAKING OFF FRENDER, SENDING DEBRIES INTO CAR BEHIND CAUSING DAMAGE. SECOND TIRE SEPARATION ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO STEERING AND BRAKES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ADOR9J6082 TIRESIZE: LT23585R16)
NHTSA complaint #737117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLCrash3 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THERE HAS BEEN TWO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREADS ARE DELAMINATING AND SEPARTATING FROM DONUT. CAR CASSES HAVE BEEN RETAINED FOR YOUR INSPECTION AND RETESTING. MANUFACTURER IS DEMANDING THAT ALL TIRES AND PIECES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY DELIVERED TO THERE FACILITIES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: H20RYD3E TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)
NHTSA complaint #735964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eaton, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINEERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK
NHTSA complaint #730472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eaton, HICrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK
NHTSA complaint #730472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, GA
STRUCTURE
WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED FIRE WALL FLEKES AND CAUSES CLUTH NOT TO ENGAGE, PROBLEM IS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER WELD ON FIREWALL TO SUPPORT CLUTH WHEN DEPRESSED TO ENGAGE
NHTSA complaint #9000565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAD JUST RETURNED FROM HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FIXED BY THE FORD AGENCY AND HAVING BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTED. BRAKES FAILED APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MILES AWAY. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE DRAGGING TO THE LEFT (SLIGHTLY) STOPPED ONCE TO LOOK AT WHEEL THINKING IT MIGHT BE GOING FLAT. COULD NOT OBSERVE ANYTHING WRONG. ABOUT FIVE MILES FURTHER ALONG WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BY DOWNSHIFTING AND THE PARKING BRAKE BROUGHT VEHICLE TO STOP. FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT PLACE AS I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE (JUST AFTER PASSING A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION).
NHTSA complaint #713427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Hills, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
VERY BAD SHIMMY IN FRONT END SUSPENSION
NHTSA complaint #711970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
HAD VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE SERVICE. WAS GOING DOWNHILL & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED. BRAKES ON FIRE. PUT FLAMES OUT. DEALERSHIP TOWED VEHICLE. MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. NO RECALLS ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS RECEIPT FROM THE SAME DEALER STATING THEY PERFORMED BRAKE RECALL REPAIRS 100 MILES PRIOR TO THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #844839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 96V017 . AFTER A WEEK THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MOTOR MELTED. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DELAER AND MANUFACTURER. %AK
NHTSA complaint #837728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Broo, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #543288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vallejo, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER CRACKED CAUSING SEPARATION FROM THE DASH PANEL, RESULTED IN LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #537860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 96V-07100 AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 95S28 REGARDING IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM DUE TO OWNER WAITING TOO LONG , PAST DUE DATE, TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS BEFORE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #824624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Natalia, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED VERY HARD IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DUE TO THE CRACKING OF THE FIREWALL. OWNER HAS INSTALLED A MINOR REPAIR BRACKET. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THERE IS A MAJOR REPAIR KIT.
NHTSA complaint #813448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waco, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #515403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, MA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MAKES VERY LOUD NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #809308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumberland, MDFire
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SPARE TIRE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO LOCATION NEAR EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #510875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clear Spring, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE REAR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #986717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN GOING DOWN THE HILL BRAKE HEAT UP AND THERE NO BRAKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #800036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HILL APPLY THE BRAKE THERE IS NO BRAKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #800037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.