Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 62 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Ford F-250, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Mar 1995 | 1 | 3 |
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 4 |
| May 1995 | 2 | 6 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 1995 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 1995 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 1995 | 2 | 11 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 1996 | 1 | 13 |
| Feb 1996 | 3 | 16 |
| Mar 1996 | 2 | 18 |
| Apr 1996 | 2 | 20 |
| May 1996 | 2 | 22 |
| Jul 1996 | 2 | 24 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 25 |
| Sep 1996 | 1 | 26 |
| Oct 1996 | 1 | 27 |
| Dec 1996 | 2 | 29 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 30 |
| Apr 1997 | 1 | 31 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 32 |
| Jul 1997 | 1 | 33 |
| Oct 1997 | 4 | 37 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 38 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 39 |
| Nov 1998 | 1 | 40 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 41 |
| Feb 1999 | 1 | 42 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 1999 | 1 | 44 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 46 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 47 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 48 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 49 |
| Mar 2000 | 2 | 51 |
| Oct 2000 | 4 | 55 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 56 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 57 |
| May 2001 | 1 | 58 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 59 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 60 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 61 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 62 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
SPARE TIRE FIRES
There is no summary currently available
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
There is no summary currently available
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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. *NM
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. *TC
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 *JB
IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. *JB
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.*JB
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. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE ON FIRE, THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE BED AGAINST THE TAILPIPE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *SLC
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.*AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
CONCERNS WITH THE SIGNAL MIRROR REFLECTIVE SURFACE DETERIORATING OVER TIME, DEVELOPING DARK SPOTS DUE TO CHROME PLATING DELAMINATION. *JB
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END SHIMMY MAY OCCUR AT VARIOUS DRIVING SPEEDS AND IS USUALLY INDUCED WHEN HITTING BUMPS, SUCH AS LARGE POTHOLES OR ROUGH RAILROAD CROSSINGS. SHIMMY IS NOT ALWAYS VERIFIED DURING ROAD TEST. *AK
TIRES
INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2014 | 142 | 0 | 1 | 41.3 |
| 2013 | 95 | 0 | 1 | 42.7 |
| 2012 | 266 | 1 | 1 | 44.1 |
| 2011 | 248 | 2 | 1 | 49.2 |
| 2010 | 73 | 0 | 0 | 37.4 |
| 2009 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 35.9 |
| 2008 | 195 | 8 | 1 | 57.1 |
| 2007 | 60 | 7 | 2 | 53.9 |
| 2006 | 221 | 7 | 2 | 56.5 |
| 2005 | 144 | 5 | 2 | 54.1 |
| 2004 | 153 | 7 | 2 | 57.0 |
| 2003 | 116 | 7 | 2 | 61.8 |
| 2002 | 156 | 7 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2001 | 220 | 9 | 4 | 65.4 |
| 2000 | 326 | 10 | 3 | 65.6 |
| 1999 | 581 | 19 | 4 | 63.9 |
| 1998 | 56 | 9 | 2 | 54.4 |
| 1997 | 304 | 14 | 3 | 63.2 |
| 1996 | 176 | 5 | 2 | 62.9 |
| 1995 | 184 | 4 | 2 | 60.9 |
| 1994 | 123 | 10 | 5 | 66.9 |
| 1993 | 130 | 9 | 3 | 59.0 |
| 1992 | 119 | 7 | 9 | 62.4 |
| 1991 | 107 | 7 | 11 | 65.4 |
| 1990 | 111 | 7 | 11 | 67.5 |
| 1989 | 112 | 6 | 5 | 65.3 |
| 1988Viewing | 62 | 3 | 6 | 65.0 |
| 1987 | 38 | 2 | 5 | 69.2 |
| 1986 | 38 | 2 | 4 | 70.8 |
| 1985 | 21 | 2 | 3 | 69.7 |
| 1984 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 71.8 |
| 1983 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 2 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.