RoadVitals

1988 Ford F Series

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.
6
Latest Dec 17, 2013
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.
1
Latest Jan 24, 1989
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.
4
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Ford F Series, most frequently naming the seat belts, driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 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

  • Seat belts360.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%

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

1 campaign 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
89V009000

STEERING:LINKAGES

Jan 24, 1989
24,454 units potentially affected
The defect: BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY LOOSEN, ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEELS TO OSCILLATE WITH FRONT END SHIMMY.
The risk: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE94034ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

UNDER DASH FIRES

Opened Apr 25, 1994
Closed Aug 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DP94002ClosedDefect Petition

DEFECTIVE WIRING

Opened Mar 10, 1994
Closed Apr 25, 1994

DEFECTIVE WIRING

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)
PE90023ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FIRE IN HEATER/AC PLENUM

Opened Dec 5, 1989
Closed Mar 1, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
PE89130ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FIREWALL FRACTURE

Opened Jun 15, 1989
Closed Nov 17, 1989

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POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Dec 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10556401
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 23, 2011

THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT BECOMES UNLATCHED. THE BUTTON ON THE LATCH SEEMS TO FAIL CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME UNBUCKLED. BUCKLE WILL SEEM TO LOCK BUT WILL UNLOCK WITH A SLIGHT WIGGLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10421106
Incident
Aug 20, 2011
Mileage
181,872 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 3, 2006
1 injury reported

THE TRUCK KEEPS TRYING TO START ON ITS OWN. IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND HIT MY HUSBAND IN THE BACK. THEN HE MOVED FAST OR IT WOULD HAVE RAN OVER HIM. THE TRUCK STILL WOULDN'T QUIT TRYING TO CRANK, SO HE UNDONE THE BATTERY AND IT SHOCKED HIM. ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IGNITION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151681
Incident
Feb 26, 2006
Filed Jan 15, 2004

RED/MAROON PAINT PEELING LEAVING GRAY PRIMER COAT. LAST YEAR WORST AREAS OF HOOD, ROOF, TAILGATE AND SMALL AREAS REPAIRED. SOME SUCCESS. PAINT CONTINUES TO PEEL ON THE HOOD, ROOF TOP, FENDERS, SIDE PANELS AND TAIL GATE. JUST LEARNED OF THIS DEFECTIVE PAINT PROBLEM THIS WEEK WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE IN TO HAVE A RE-PAINT ESTIMATE DONE.

NHTSA ID
10069591
Incident
Jul 15, 2002
Mileage
58,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 19, 2003

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NLM THE SEAT BELT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE ORIGINAL FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FORD , THE SEAT BELT WAS ONLY WARRANTED FOR FIVE YEARS BUT SEEMED TO CONTRADICT THE INFORMATION ON FILING A COMPLAINT. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10020127
Incident
May 19, 2003
Mileage
95,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 26, 1996

DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO STAY ENGAGED.

NHTSA ID
506718
Incident
Jul 12, 1996

Manufacturer communications

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

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

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

9852

TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

9848

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC

96246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW

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 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100—
2007400—
2006400—
2005900—
2004700—
2003111—
2002341142.4
2001441457.3
2000401453.6
1999360345.7
1998200132.0
1997470248.9
1996160252.6
1995160252.3
1994711—
1993511—
1992211—
1991601—
1990221—
1989221—
1988Viewing614—
1987304—
1986004—
1985012—
1984112—
1983001—
1979010—
1978030—
1977020—
1976020—
1975030—
1974020—
1973010—
1972010—
1971110—

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.