Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Ford F-350, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and tires & wheels categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 8 NHTSA investigations name it; and 36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| May 1995 | 1 | 2 |
| Mar 1996 | 2 | 4 |
| Apr 1996 | 3 | 7 |
| Jul 1996 | 3 | 10 |
| Nov 1996 | 1 | 11 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 1997 | 1 | 13 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 14 |
| Jun 1998 | 1 | 15 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 16 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 17 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 18 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 19 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 21 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 22 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 23 |
| Nov 2000 | 1 | 24 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 25 |
| Apr 2001 | 1 | 26 |
| May 2001 | 1 | 27 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 28 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 29 |
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.
4 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.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS
There is no summary currently available
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
SPARE TIRE FIRES
There is no summary currently available
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NO LONGER LOCK OR LATCH . WHEN REPLACING THE LATCHING SIDE ASSEMBLY I FOUND THE WEB WAS COVERED WITH AN INTERIOR COLOR MATCHING TRIM PIECE . RUNNING INSIDE THE TRIM PIECE WAS AN ELECTRIC HARNESS WHICH OPERATED THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE HARNESS EXITED THE TRIM AND WAS ROUTED BACK TO THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. IT MORE OR LESS MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN . THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS SPLIT HALFWAY THROUGH THE BELTS WEBBING . TO ME THIS SEEMED TO HAVE WEAKENED THE RESTRAINT OF THE SEAT BELT BY 50% . *AK
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE, THANKFULLY WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, BECAUSE IT TOOK MORE THAN A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT, HAD TO USE HOSE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. FORTUNITELY FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO THE ALT. AND PLUG. WHEN I CALLED ABOUT REPLACING THE PLUG WAS TOLD IT CAME WITH THE NEW ALT. BECAUSE OF INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH SHORTS AND FIRES. CAN YOU IMAGINE IN I WAS HOOKED TO MY FIFTH WHEEL AND OUT IN THE DESERT, WITCH I AM ALOT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN HUGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT I CAN'T BELIEVE WASNT ATTENDED TO.*AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS ENGULFED INTO FLAMES BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS SECOND OWNER OF VEHICLE, AND DIDN'T KNOW IF RECALL EVER APPLIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, RENDERING ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INOPERABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
FIRST, RIGHT REAR TIRE SHREADED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY BREAKING OFF FRENDER, SENDING DEBRIES INTO CAR BEHIND CAUSING DAMAGE. SECOND TIRE SEPARATION ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO STEERING AND BRAKES.*AK( DOT NUMBER: ADOR9J6082 TIRE SIZE: LT23585R16 )
THERE HAS BEEN TWO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREADS ARE DELAMINATING AND SEPARTATING FROM DONUT. CAR CASSES HAVE BEEN RETAINED FOR YOUR INSPECTION AND RETESTING. MANUFACTURER IS DEMANDING THAT ALL TIRES AND PIECES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY DELIVERED TO THERE FACILITIES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: H20RYD3E TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)
SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINEERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK *TR
WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED FIRE WALL FLEKES AND CAUSES CLUTH NOT TO ENGAGE, PROBLEM IS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER WELD ON FIREWALL TO SUPPORT CLUTH WHEN DEPRESSED TO ENGAGE
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
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
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.
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 | 91 | 0 | 1 | 40.2 |
| 2013 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 49.8 |
| 2012 | 149 | 4 | 1 | 53.0 |
| 2011 | 136 | 4 | 1 | 54.0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 48.8 |
| 2008 | 131 | 9 | 1 | 61.1 |
| 2007 | 36 | 5 | 2 | 52.3 |
| 2006 | 145 | 6 | 2 | 60.4 |
| 2005 | 114 | 5 | 2 | 53.1 |
| 2004 | 159 | 3 | 2 | 58.5 |
| 2003 | 90 | 3 | 2 | 65.0 |
| 2002 | 116 | 3 | 2 | 61.1 |
| 2001 | 160 | 6 | 5 | 65.8 |
| 2000 | 304 | 5 | 4 | 65.1 |
| 1999 | 413 | 13 | 4 | 64.4 |
| 1998 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 49.9 |
| 1997 | 155 | 4 | 2 | 60.9 |
| 1996 | 130 | 4 | 1 | 59.9 |
| 1995 | 134 | 3 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 1994 | 95 | 7 | 4 | 62.8 |
| 1993 | 101 | 9 | 3 | 60.6 |
| 1992 | 52 | 7 | 9 | 63.9 |
| 1991 | 31 | 7 | 11 | 66.8 |
| 1990 | 39 | 7 | 11 | 62.8 |
| 1989 | 42 | 5 | 7 | 66.4 |
| 1988Viewing | 29 | 4 | 8 | 73.5 |
| 1987 | 8 | 2 | 7 | — |
| 1986 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 56.4 |
| 1985 | 4 | 1 | 4 | — |
| 1984 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 7 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 9 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 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.