1988 FORD F150 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

170

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 54 Fires 1 Death

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 1988 FORD F150

The 1988 FORD F150 has received a total of 170 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (25 complaints), Fuel System Gasolinestorageauxillary Tankselector Devices (11 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (9 complaints).

Recalls for the 1988 FORD F150

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 FORD F150, potentially affecting up to 7,957,400 vehicles.

Recall 96V071000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

| 7,900,000 vehicles affected

Defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

View full details →

Recall 88V146000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

| 57,400 vehicles affected

Defect: SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.

Consequence: A FRACTURED WINDOW MAY CONTAIN FRAGMENTS THAT ARE LARGERTHAN THE 425 GRAMS ALLOWED.

Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT WINDOW PANELS.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1988 FORD F150

170 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 FORD F150. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 25 18 Fires 1 Death
Fuel System Gasolinestorageauxillary Tankselector Devices
Complaints: 11
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 9 5 Fires
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 7 5 Fires
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 7 7 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 7 5 Fires
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 7
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 3 2 Fires
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 3
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinedelivery
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinestorageauxillary Tank
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 2
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 2
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 2
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 2
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 2
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 2
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 2
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systeminjectors
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineuniversal Joint
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10403857 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 69,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND WOULD SPORADICALLY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEIR RECORDS ONLY WENT BACK AS FAR AS TEN YEARS AND THEY COULD NOT VERIFY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO VERIFIED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
#10370548 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | N/A miles
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.
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.
#10124286 | SUSPENSION | | 135,000 miles
THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVES' SIDE AROUND THE GEAR BOX AND IN ANOTHER AREA WHICH LEAVES IT VERY UNSTABLE. THE TIRE IS WOBBLY, DODGES AND DARTS AROUND ON THE ROAD. *AK ALL OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB
#10089172 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | | 45,000 miles
VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK

View all Electrical Systemignitionswitch complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1988 FORD F150

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 FORD F150 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 FORD F150

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 FORD F150

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1988 FORD F150.

Investigation PE89003 — STEERING Closed

Opened:

STEERING COLUMN DROPS

Other Model Years of the FORD F150

View all FORD F150 model years →

Other FORD Models

View all FORD models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report