Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
THE THROTTLE STUCK, WHICH CAUSED UNWANTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ON ONE OCCASION THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DIRTY AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VACUUM LINE MALFUNCTIONED. IN EITHER CASE, PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION…
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THE THROTTLE STUCK, WHICH CAUSED UNWANTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. ON ONE OCCASION THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DIRTY AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VACUUM LINE MALFUNCTIONED. IN EITHER CASE, PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #10007321
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM LINE HAD KINKED WHILE THR CRUISE WAS ON, THE THROTTLE BODY HAD STUCK, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10009086
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000
Tires
DURING TEXAS TRIP, 1 TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS TREAD SEPARATION. FOLLOWING SUMMER, OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING SIMILAR BREAKDOWN (NOTELABLY DEEP CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS). I WENT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER THAT HAD SOLD ME THE FIRESTONES AND BOUGHT NEW TIRES (NOT FIRESTONES…
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DURING TEXAS TRIP, 1 TIRE WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS TREAD SEPARATION. FOLLOWING SUMMER, OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING SIMILAR BREAKDOWN (NOTELABLY DEEP CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS). I WENT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER THAT HAD SOLD ME THE FIRESTONES AND BOUGHT NEW TIRES (NOT FIRESTONES). I ASKED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CRACKS WITH A FIRESTONE REP. I WAS NEVER APPRAISED AS TO THE REPS. ANSWER BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT NEXT TIME I NEEDED TIRES I WOULD GET A GOOD DEAL ON THEM. SEEING AS THE TIRES WERE OLD, I FELT THIS WAS ABOUT THE BEST I COULD EXPECT. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE LIGHT TRUCK TIRES ON THE RADIO TODAY. I STILL HAVE MY ORIGINAL RECEIPT FOR THE TIRES AND MAY STILL HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TIRE THAT WAS REPLACED IT TEXAS. OBVIOUSLY, I NO LONGER HAVE THE TIRES. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN 1993. *AK (TIRESIZE: LTP235R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LTP235R15 )
NHTSA ODI #732891
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1997
Tires
RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF, DAMAGING VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #520746
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE, BURNING WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI #508143
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 1996
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESSES BURNT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #507580
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT TO IAR ALTERNATOR GETS TOO HOT START TO ARC AND SHORTS OUT. RESULTING IN VEHCILE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #986287
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
AFTER PARKING CAR, NOTICED WHITE SMOKING COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR, THEN NOTICED FIRE, POSSIBILE ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #982987
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1995
Steering
WORN BUSHINGS, CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME LOOSE. *DSH
NHTSA ODI #483489
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
PE88054 · Fuel Tank Overpressurizati
Opened May 16, 1988 · Closed Mar 1, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA87019 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Apr 30, 1987 · Closed Oct 23, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SYNOPSIS: UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, FUEL IS EXPELLED FROM THEFUEL FILLER PIPE, WHEN THE FILLER CAP IS REMOVED. IT HAS BEEN REPORTEDTHAT VEHICLE FIRES AND PERSONAL INJURIES HAVE RESULTED. THE PROBLEMAPPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THE VEHICLES, USUALLYWHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINES IDLING OR BEING OPERATED UNDER EXTREMESERVICE CONDITIONS. THIS HEAT CAUSES THE FUEL TO VAPORIZE IN THE FUELTANK AND DEVELOP PRESSURES IN EXCESS OF WHAT THE FUEL TANK VENT SYSTEMCAN HANDLE.STATUS: BY LETTER DATED 9/9/87, FORD NOTIFIED NHTSA OF RECALL OF 188,000E-250 & E-350 VEHICLES TO INSTALL PARTIAL VERSION OF M-53A AMBULANCE RECALLKIT(87V-144)===
PE87017 · Fuel Leaks/fires
Opened Jan 28, 1987 · Closed May 26, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.LEAKS FROM FUEL LINES MAY ALSO BE ACONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.---------------------------------------------------------------------------ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THESPRING LOCK QUICK CONNECT COUPLINGS WHICH CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY ANDRETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINES.---------------------------------------------------------------------------PROPOSED ACTION: UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.(EA87-020)===
EA87002 · Filler Neck Spurt
Opened Nov 4, 1986 · Closed Apr 29, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD HAS SUPPLIED INFORMATION REQUESTED CONCERNING VEHICLE POPULATIONAND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.ANALYSIS:THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THEVEHICLES, USUALLY WHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE IDLING.THIS HEATCAUSES THE FUEL TO VAPORIZE IN THE FUEL TANK AND DEVELOP PRESSURES INEXCESS OF WHAT THE VENT SYSTEM CAN HANDLE.STATUS:IR TO FORD SENT ON 2/20/87. MEETING WITH FORD AND FINAL STAGE MANUFACTUR-ERS HELD ON MARCH 11 & 12, 1987. ADDITIONAL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 7, 1987.ALSO ON APRIL I, 1987.FORD ANNOUNCED SERVICE CAMPAIGN, NO SAFETY RECALL.RECALL REQUEST LETTER SENT ON 4/7/87. FORD DID NOT AGREE TO A SAFETYRECALL, CONSEQUENTLY A PANEL MEETING WAS HELD ON 4/29/87 AND INVESTIGATIVECASE C87-003 WAS OPENED.THIS EA WAS CLOSED AS A RESULT OF THE CASE OPEN-ING ON 4/27/87.===
1986 Ford E150 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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