RoadVitals

1994 Ford F-150 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
83
Latest Aug 21, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 676 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
41
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 83 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 83, in the owner's own words

Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 21, 2020
Fire reported

TRUCK JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES ,NEXT TO MY HOUSE. STARTED ON DRIVERS SIDE AND BURNT FROM SEATS TO THE FRONT BUMPER BURNING THE WINDSHIELD DASH AND THE ENGINE. TOTAL LOOSE.THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING.

NHTSA ID
11350582
Incident
Jun 13, 2020
Mileage
127,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 7, 2017

MY DAD NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM SHORTLY BEFORE HE DIED. ONCE I WAS GIVEN IT AS A GIFT BY HIM IN HIS LAST WILL, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ACTIVITY WITH THE LIGHT, "AND" NOW HAVE NO HORN AND THE HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASH ON AND OFF LIKE THEIR IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM...NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG CURRENTLY FUNCTIONS OR NOT!

NHTSA ID
11013301
Incident
Sep 10, 2015
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 1, 2011
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. I WAS IN HARRYS ARMY AND NAVY STORE, 691 ROUTE 130 ROBBINSVILLE, NJ 08691 (609) 585-5450, WHEN I HEARD OVER THE INTERCOM THAT THERE WAS A GREEN F150 ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT OUTSIDE AND SOMEONE FROM THE PLAZA WAS TRYING TO PUT OUT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP ALONG WITH THE POLICE AND EXTENGUISHED THE MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD COMPLETELY. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO PINE HILL, NJ WHICH COST 200.00 ON TOP OF LOSING MY TRUCK WITH IS MY FINANCIAL STABILITY DUE TO BEING A SELF CONTRACTOR. ALL OF THE HOSED, BELTS AND WIRING IS MELTED, HOWEVER, THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICILE DUE TO THE HEAVY DAMAGE AND MY LIVELY HOOD. SOMEONE ADVISED ME THAT THERE ARE RECALLS REGARDING THE WIRING IN THE TRUCK WHICH CAUSES FIRE DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FOLLOWING ARE RECALLS IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER: 05S28, EA5005, 05V017, 06V206, 05V388, 06V286. *TR

NHTSA ID
10433842
Incident
Oct 30, 2011
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2011
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING OUR 1994 FORD F150 I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE CAB THROUGH THE VENTS SO I RETURNED HOME AND TURNED OF THE ENGINE. 4 MINUTES LATER I RETURNED TO REMOVE THE CARSEATS AND NOTICED FIRE FALLING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WENT TO CALL 911 AND RETURNED 4 MINUTES LATER AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN ANOTHER 2 MINUTES THE WHOLE CAB WAS CONSUMED IN FLAMES AND BURNED UNTIL THE FIRETRUCKS CAME. TRUCK IS A LOSS AND MELTED TO MY DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AND NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10396975
Incident
Apr 13, 2011
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 6, 2010
Fire reported

WITH THE TRUCK BEING OFF, SMOKE WAS RISING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WIRES LEADING TO THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH HAD SHORTED, CAUSING THE WIRES AND WIRE CONNECTORS TO HEAT, SMOKE AND PARTIALLY MELT. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOW OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED, THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK AND THE FLASHERS OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY. *CN

NHTSA ID
10307093
Incident
Nov 10, 2006
Mileage
210,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE KEY KEPT GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. HE ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE SWITCH. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL FEATURES IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10277890
Incident
Jul 13, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 28, 2008

EVER SINCE MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPAIRED ON MY 1994 F150 THE BATTERY KEEPS LOSING ALL ITS POWER. AS I DON'T DRIVE THE TRUCK THAT MUCH ANYMORE I JUST CHARGE THE BATTERY WHENEVER I USED MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK WAS REPAIRED AT ALL STAR FORD IN OLYMPIA WASHINGTON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219621
Incident
Jan 15, 2008
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 18, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F150. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR OVER SEVEN HOURS, THE POLICE FOUND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ON TWO PRIOR OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. TWO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR THE BURNING VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,000. UPDATED 2/12/2008. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10215336
Incident
Jan 17, 2008
Mileage
137,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 29, 2007

INCIDENT DATE 7/24/2007; MILEAGE 158,487. PRODUCT FAILURE OF THE CIRCULAR STEERING SWITCH ON MY 1994 FORD F150 TRUCK. FAILURE OF THIS SWITCH DEACTIVATES THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE HORN. TWO PRIOR INCIDENTS OF SAME FAILURE ON 4/4/2001 MILEAGE 105,900 AND AGAIN ON APPROXIMATELY 5/11/2001. THESE FAILURES MAY INDICATE AN SYSTEMIC ISSUE POSSIBLY REQUIRING A VEHICLE RECALL PROGRAM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10197763
Incident
Jul 24, 2007
Mileage
158,475 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 2007
Fire reported

ON 3/24/07, OUR 1994 F150 TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 10:25PM. THE FIRE WAS REPORTED TO FORD CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALONG WITH PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT. A RECALL WAS RECENTLY PERFORMED ON THE TRUCK. FORD CONSUMER AFFAIRS NOTIFIED ME ON 4/19/07 THAT THE TRUCK WAS TOO BADLY DAMAGED TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT PURSUE REPLACEMENT COST. CAN YOU REVIEW AND DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10188320
Incident
Mar 24, 2007
Electrical
Filed Mar 14, 2007
Fire reported

HAD NOT DRIVEN PICKUP FOR 2 WEEKS AND WAS SITTING UNDER CAR-PORT WHEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS A COMPLETE LOSS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10185051
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 11, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED UNDER RECALL #05V38800. AFTER THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE HORN BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL DISCONNECTING OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, THE BATTERY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED, BUT WASN'T AND THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE HORN ASSEMBLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10157254
Incident
May 11, 2006
Mileage
94,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT CONSUMER'S HOUSE WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS SINCE CONSUMER DRIVE IT. PUT WATER ON THE FIRE SO IT WOULD NOT BURNTHE HOUSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10138143
Incident
Aug 10, 2005
Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2005
Fire reported

I PARKED MY 1994 F-150 XLT PICK-UP IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 5:00 PM. SUNDAY 9-11-05, I WAS AWAKEN ABOUT 4:00 AM MONDAY 9-12-05 TO FIND MY TRUCK ON FIRE, MY WIFE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IN ABOUT 15 MIN. AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY HOME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10136180
Incident
Sep 12, 2005
Mileage
158,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 24, 2005
Fire reported

ON AUGUST 5TH, AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT KEYS IN IGNITION AND UNTOUCHED BY ANYONE, OUR 1994 FORD F150 TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES. IT WAS PARKED AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NO ONE WAS INJURED; THE ONLY LOSS WAS THE TRUCK ITSELF.

NHTSA ID
10134082
Incident
Aug 5, 2005
Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A SHORT IN STARTER WIRE. THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE WIRE THAT WENT INTO THE STARTER. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE JUST AN HOUR AND HALF TO TWO HOURS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN THEY WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *SC

NHTSA ID
10122594
Incident
May 12, 2005
Mileage
116,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2005
Fire reported

ON JULY 6,2005 MY 1994 FORD F150 TRUCK WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD DRIVEN MY VEHICLE EARLIER THAT MORNING. WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUSED IT TO BURN UP THE MASTER CYLINDER ALONG WITH IT. THE PAINT ON MY HOOD WAS BURNED OFF. I WAS INFORMED OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART CATCHING ON FIRE. MY VEHICLE IS A 1994. THE RECALL IS ON 1995. I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO AFFECTING THE 94'S.

NHTSA ID
10129377
Incident
Jul 6, 2005
Mileage
77,759 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+5 more
Filed Jun 8, 2005

EFOD TRANSMISSION - 3RD ONE CURRENTLY INSTALLED, ALONG WITH SECOND CONTROL MODULE. RADIATOR SEPARATED AT TANK SIDE JOINTS CAUSING LEAKS. IDLER AND TENSION PULLEYS FAILED. TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY FIRESTONES- TWO HIGH SPEED BLOWOUTS BEFORE IT BECAME NATIONAL NEWS. REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR IN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. SECOND CLOCK MECH. INSTALLED IN STEEERING WHEEL, CAUSED LOSS OF AIRBAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT WENT OUT BOTH TIMES. REPLACED U-JOINTS. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP EVERY 20,000 MILES. REPLACED FAILED MASS AIR SENSOR AND COOLANT TEMP. SENSOR. REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID
10124603
Incident
Jun 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jun 2, 2005
Fire reported

DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE AND THE OTHER CAR. ON APRIL 20, 2006 A 15 AMP FUSE WAS CHANGED. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OVER 3 FEET IN THE LAST MONTH OF IT'S LIFE. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. *SC *JB *AK

NHTSA ID
10120350
Incident
Apr 21, 2005
Mileage
64,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 23, 2005
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONSUMER'S PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR 2-3 WEEKS. A FIRE STARTED WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND TOTALLY BURNED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10117035
Incident
May 28, 2004
Mileage
84,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 16, 2005
Fire reported

WHILE BEING PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE WAS STILL UNDETERMINED.*AK *TC CONSUMER CONCERN ABOUT WHAT FORD COMPANY IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THE FIRE IN THESE VEHICLE. *BF

NHTSA ID
10109196
Incident
Jan 14, 2005
Electrical
Filed Apr 6, 2005
Fire reported

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE RESIDENCE AND TWENTY MINUTE LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117559
Incident
Apr 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Mar 29, 2005
Fire reported

FORD F150 TRUCK 1994 ENGINE FIRE TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL TRUCK WAS USED AND TURNED OFF. ENGINE FIRE SPONTAEOUSLY STARTED AND CAUSE A TOTAL LOSS OF THE TRUCK FIRE DEPT SAID THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. OTHER DAMAGE INCLUDED CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS CHARRED AND PITTED OUT DUE TO THE INTENSE HEAT. ONLY HAD LIABILITY ON THE VECHICLE SO NO INSURANCE CLAIM WAS ABLE TO BE FILED. THIS INCIDENT SOUNDS LIKE THE ONES INVOLVED IN THE FORD F150 RECALLS. I CALLED TO REPORT IT TO INSURANCE FOR SAFETY OF OTHER F150 OWNERS BUT NO ONE WANTED MY INFORMATION. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO REPORT IT UNTIL I SAW THE ARTICLE ABOUT EXTENDING THE RECALL INVESTIGATION TO 1995 MODELS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXTEND IT DOWN TO AT LEAST 1994. THANK YOU SUSAN MARSHALL

NHTSA ID
10116040
Incident
Dec 29, 2002
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2005
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE THE RESIDENCE. FOUR HOURS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115811
Incident
Mar 24, 2005
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 24, 2005

I HAVE RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH THAT HAS JUST BEEN ISSUED FOR THE 2000 F-150 PICKUP. MY TRUCK IS NOT A 2000, BUT IT IS 1994 F-150. MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK THEN ONE DAY MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKIHG, SO I CHECKED THE BULBS THINKING THEY WERE BAD.I FOUND THE BULBS WERE STILL GOOD, SO I CHECKED THE FUSES.ONE OF THE FUSES WERE BAD. WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE I WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE SMOKE THAT CAME ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK. IN A PANIC, I POPPED THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK AND PULLED THE WIRES OUT OF THE SWITCH JUST IN TIME TO SEE THE SWITCH ON THE FRONT OF MY MASTER CYLINDER GLOWING RED HOT, AND THE PLASTIC MELTING IN A SMOKE CLOUD OF BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE JUST REPLACED THE PART AND AM CONCERNED OF THE PROBLEM REOCCURRING AGAIN IF THIS IS A RECALLED PART, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10114685
Incident
Mar 17, 2005
Mileage
183,587 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .