1988 Ford F-250 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Ford F-250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1417.9%
- Electrical1417.9%
- Fuel system1114.1%
- Body & structure67.7%
- Transmission56.4%
- Interior & seats56.4%
- Engine45.1%
- Tires & wheels45.1%
- Seat belts33.8%
- Exterior lighting33.8%
- Steering22.6%
- Suspension22.6%
- Powertrain (other)22.6%
- Other / unspecified22.6%
- Driver assistance11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *AK
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 *AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
IT TOOK NUMEROUS TRIES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
DUAL FUEL TANKS SWITCHING MODULE FAILED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPEW FROM REAR TANK---AS PER REPORT ON 1990 TO 1993 MODELS. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIREWALL SHEET METAL FAILURE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, CLUTCH AND BRAKE ARE TOO MUCH FORCE FOR THE DESIGN AND GAUGE OF THE FIREWALL. *SLC
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 *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *AK
TRANSMISSION LINE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TRANSMISSION LINE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 VEHICLE WAS PARKED, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT FAILED.
SEAT BELT FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSE DETERIORATES TO THE DEGREE OF CHANGING COLORS, CHANGES FROM CLEAR TO OPAQUE, RESULTING IN DECREASED ILLUMINATION OF ROAD SURFACES DURING NIGHT DRIVING.
BRAKE CALIPER RETAINING PINS FALL OUT. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE OIL DIP STICK.
PROBLEMS WITH STEERING GEAR BOX. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
JACK COLLAPSED WHILE CHANGING TIRE.
DEFECTIVE OIL DIP STICK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES DUE TO AXLE SEALS LEAKING.
FAILURE ON THE REAR AXLE CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
JACK COLLAPSED WHILE CHANGING TIRE.
RIGHT REAR SET OF DUAL WHEELS CAME OFF. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE LINKAGE STICKS, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .