RoadVitals

1986 Ford F-350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
14
Latest Jul 26, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 4, 1987
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Ford F-350, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, brakes and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 25 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels425.0%
  • Brakes318.8%
  • Interior & seats212.5%
  • Electrical212.5%
  • Steering16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%
  • Fuel system16.3%
  • Exterior lighting16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 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.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
86V048000

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Mar 27, 1986
630 units potentially affected
The defect: THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT MEET THE 50 SQUARE INCH MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 111-REARVIEW MIRRORS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE STANDARD REQUIRES A MINIMUM DIMENSION FOR REARVIEW MIRRORS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FIELD OF VISION WHICH AIDS IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS.
The remedy: REPLACE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH UNIT MAGNIFICATION MIRRORS OF 9" X 6" REFLECTIVE SURFACE DIMENSIONS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS

Opened Aug 19, 1994
Closed Dec 28, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE89128ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

GEARSHIFT LEVER BREAKS

Opened Jun 7, 1989
Closed Oct 17, 1989

SUMMARY: CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLESEQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INABILITYTO SHIFT GEARS.ADDITIONALLY, FRACTURE MAY OCCUR AT A LOCATION WHICHALLOWS TRUNNION PIN TO FALL INTO GEARSHIFT MECHANISM, POSSIBLY LOCKING UPTHE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.===

POWER TRAIN
DP89005ClosedDefect Petition

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES

Opened Jan 26, 1989
Closed Aug 1, 1989

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PE89022ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ANTIFREEZE UNDERHOOD FIRES

Opened Dec 13, 1988
Closed Jul 12, 1989

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2010

TIRE BLOW OUT ON LIGHT TRUCK WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 55 MPH THIS IS A SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THESE TIRES. COOPER REFUSES TO REGISTER THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345231
Incident
Jul 22, 2010
Mileage
106,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2010

FRONT TIRE ON LIGHT TRUCK BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING APPR. 40MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345229
Incident
Jul 13, 2010
Mileage
106,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 11, 2002
Fire reported

A VEHICLE FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND FILL IN VEHICLE MILEAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011516
Incident
May 21, 2002
Brakes
Filed Dec 22, 2001

I/WE HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE LININGS ON THE 1986 F-350, SAME SIZE, EVERYTHING! TRUCK WOULD HARDLY STOP, BUT BARLY. REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS & BLEAD COMPLETE SYSTEM THROUGH, (NEW CALIPERS! NOT REBUILT!) STILL HAVE STOPPING PROBLEMS? REPLACED REAR WHEEL CYLENDERS WITH NEW/ NOT REBUILT! STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM? REPLACED MASTER CYLNDER, BLEAD COMPLETE SYSTEM AGAIN! STILL WILL BARLY STOP! HAVE TALKED TO FOUR OTHER F350 OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM? ONE HAS BEEN TO FOUR DIFFRENT BREAK SHOPS AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! IS THERE SOMETHING EVERYONE IS MISSING TO DO IN THE SYSTEM? NEED ANSWER PLEASE! THANKS

NHTSA ID
755959
Incident
Dec 22, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 17, 2000

I WAS TOLD AT LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS THAT THE TIRE IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ID
734527
Incident
Oct 7, 2000
Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 1998

WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITION AT 35MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES, THE FRONT BRAKES OVERHEAT BOILING THE BRAKE FLUID, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF THE FRONT BRAKES AND LITTLE OF BACK BRAKES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
830723
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 14, 1998

THE DESIGN FLAW OF REAR HUB FAILED,CAUSING THE SEAL TO GO BAD,RESULTING IN GEAR OIL SPILLING ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKE SHOES. THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
825389
Incident
Jun 25, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 6, 1997

HEAD LIGHT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
514587

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019001—
2018001—
2017001—
2015001—
2014910140.2
2013761149.8
20121494153.0
20111364154.0
2010010—
2009283048.8
20081319161.1
2007365252.3
20061456260.4
20051145253.1
20041593258.5
2003903265.0
20021163261.1
20011606565.8
20003045465.1
199941313464.4
1998121249.9
19971554260.9
19961304159.9
19951343159.1
1994957462.8
19931019360.6
1992527963.9
19913171166.8
19903971162.8
1989425766.4
1988294873.5
1987827—
1986Viewing142656.4
1985414—
1984234—
1983173—
1982021—
1981241—
1980051—
1979041—
1978091—
1977031—
1976011—
1975140—
1974010—
1973030—
1972030—
1969010—
1968020—
1967010—

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.