1986 Ford F-350 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 1986 Ford F-350, 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
- Tires & wheels425.0%
- Brakes318.8%
- Interior & seats212.5%
- Electrical212.5%
- Steering16.3%
- Visibility16.3%
- Fuel system16.3%
- Exterior lighting16.3%
- Powertrain (other)16.3%
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
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
FRONT TIRE ON LIGHT TRUCK BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING APPR. 40MPH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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
THE WELD ON THE TOP SUPPORT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO GO BACK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, HAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE DEALER INSISTS THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEY/IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEAT.
HEAT GENERATES IN STEERING COLUMN AND WIRING HARNESS/FUSE BOX BURNED. OWHER HAS REPLACED WIRING W/HEAVY DUTY WIRES. *AK
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
CORROSION OF THE INNER TIE ROD, CAUSING THE TIE ROD TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAIL TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED; PUMPED FUEL INTO ENGINE OIL PAN INTO CRANK CASE; THINS OUT CRANK CASE OIL; FILLS TOO FULL; COULD CAUSE FIRE. TT
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
HEAD LIGHT FAILURE.
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
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
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 .