RoadVitals

1993 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.
5
Latest Apr 28, 2015
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 May 28, 1996
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.
1
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Ford F Series, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 29 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

  • Engine228.6%
  • Fuel system228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%

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

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
96I003000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

May 28, 1996
240,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAN DETACH FROM THE ENGINE PULLEYS DURING CERTAIN ENGINE OPERATIONS. THE DIESEL ENGINE CAN CAUSE THE BELTS TO STRETCH IN EXCESS OF THE TENSIONER CAPACITY AND THE BELT DETACHES FROM THE PULLEYS.
The risk: BELT FAILURES CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE LOSS OF BRAKE ASSIST ONCE THE VACUUM RESERVOIR IS DEPLETED. ALSO FEAD BELT FAILURE POSES A RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IF IT RESULTS IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER HOSE RUPTURE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TENSIONER, DRIVE BELT, BELT GUIDE AND AN IMPROVED IDLER PULLEY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 96B82/96B83View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

DP94002ClosedDefect Petition

DEFECTIVE WIRING

Opened Mar 10, 1994
Closed Apr 25, 1994

DEFECTIVE WIRING

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 28, 2015
Fire reported

ON SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015, MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOWED DUE TO IT CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE BEING PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713423
Incident
Apr 18, 2015
Mileage
187,421 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2005

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WITH A BAD PART THAT KEEPS THE FUEL TANKS FROM PUMPING FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO EL CAJON FORD IN EL CAJON CALIFORNIA, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IF I HAD NO PROBLEM HE WAS NOT GOING TO FIX IT. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 125,000 MILE ON IT. I WAS THEN IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING TO OREGON. AT ABOUT 151,000 THE VEHICLE STARTED PUMPING FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK TO THE FRONT TANK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FLORENCE FORD IN FLORENCE OREGON AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRENTY. I CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAID TO BAD. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION AND AGAIN THEY SAID TO BAD. I THEN SAID I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THEY SAID I HAVE NO REASON TO COMPLAIN AND HUNG UP THE PHONE. HAD EL CAJON FORD FIXED THE PROBLEM I WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM NOW. I AM GLAD FOR THE RECALL NOTICE HAD I NOT BEEN NOTIFED MY TRUCK PROABLY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE BY NOW. AS FOR MY SUPPORT FOR FORD I AM LOOSING FAITH. I HAVE MOST RECENTLY BOUGHT A FORD RANGER I USED IT MOSTLY TO VISIT MY DYING FATHER, DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO OREGON, AND THEN MOVING TO OREGON. MY VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRENTY WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THEN SOME MILES LATER REPLACE THE WATER PUMP. I HAVE LOST MY FAITH IN FORD. I BEING THIRD GENERATION FORD COMSUMER HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. ON THE OTHER HAND MY DAUGHTER HAS A 95 TOYOTA, 200,000 ON IT AND HAS HAD ON REAL PROBLEM. OR A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM. THANKYOU DANIEL LOFTIN

NHTSA ID
10126765
Incident
Sep 24, 2004
Mileage
151,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 2004

STEEL FIXED BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION DAMAGE, CAUSING PARTIAL BRAKE FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS TRUCK. THE FIRST TIME, THE LINE RUNNING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE FITTING NEAR THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL FAILED AT THE FITTING WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE HOSE GOING TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I HAD AN MY NEIGHBOR WHO WORKS AS A GENERAL MECHANIC REPLACE THAT LINE, AND THE LINE RUNNING TO THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A PRIVATE ROAD ON MY PROPERTY DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. A SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED OCTOBER 18 WHILE DOWN IN GREENBELT, MD WHICH IS ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HOME. THIS TIME I WAS IN A NEARLY EMPTY PARKING LOT WHEN I NOTICED PROBLEMS. I LIMPED TO A NEARBY GAS STATION WHERE I MORE CLOSELY INSPECTED THE BRAKES FOR THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME, THE FAILURE WAS NEAR A FITTING WHERE THE STEEL LINE ATTACHES TO A FITTING WHERE FLEXIBLE HOSE WHICH RUNS TO THE LINES ON THE REAR AXLE ATTACHES TO THE FIXED LINE IN THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. SAME FAILURE DIFFERENT PLACE. THE GAS STATION'S SERVICE BAYS WERE CLOSED, SO I DECIDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE AGAIN, WHERE WE WILL REPLACE THE REST OF THE LINES. THE ISSSUE ISN'T SO MUCH THE COST OF REPAIRING THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 100 DOLLARS IN PARTS AND SEVERAL HOURS OF LABOR ON THE PART OF MY NEIGHBOR AND MYSELF, BUT THE POTENTIAL THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS, IF NOT DEADLY ACCIDENT HAD THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. I REALIZE THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE NOW, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD OF OTHER VEHICLES OF SIMILAR AGE HAVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DONE A MORE THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER THE FIRST RUPTURED LINE, BUT NEVERTHELESS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF ITS OWNERS BEFORE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DO OCCUR.

NHTSA ID
10071096
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
170,650 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR 5 TIMES SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. WHEN I BRING THIS TO FORD'S ATTENTION THEY JUST GIVE ME THE ANSWER THAT THE DO NOT KNOW WHY MY TRUCK IS BLOWING ALTERNATORS, WHICH ALSO CAUSES ME TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY EVERY TIME THE ALTERNATOR GOES. I KNOW OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME YEAR TRUCK AND ALSO PURCHASED THE VEHICAL NEW AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10068858
Incident
Jun 15, 1996
Mileage
32,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 26, 1999

DEALERSHIP REPAIRED SEVERAL FORD F-SERIES PICK UP TRUCKS WITH RECALL REPAIR KIT, MANUFACTURER NOT HONORING RECALL. (93S68), (93V125). VIN # IS NOT GIVEN IN REPORT, DUE TO SEVERAL LISTINGS OF VIN #'S FROM DEALERSHIP REPAIRS. MJS

NHTSA ID
545161

Manufacturer communications

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

02169

SUSPENSION

SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLE LEAN CORRECTION PROCEDURE DEVELOPED FOR DIAGNOSING AND CORRECTING VEHICLE LEAN. *TT

01B77

TIRES

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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

99205

SUSPENSION

SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLE LEAN CORRECTION PROCEDURE. *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

991413

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FD1060 OR FD1460 MIDRANGE DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION OR BUZZ THROUGH THE THROTTLE PEDAL. *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 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—
1993Viewing511—
1992211—
1991601—
1990221—
1989221—
1988614—
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.