IllustrationCOULD THIS BE THE SAME IGNITION MODULE THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH IN CALIFORNIA? WHILE NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN MY IGNITION MODULE FAILED, IT COST MY COMPANY $453.46 TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED AND REPAIRED. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ABOUT $900.00 IN LOST REVENUES FOR THAT VAN.
1988 Ford E150
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E150 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 14 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 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 →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
7 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE CUT OFF COMPLETELY,WAS GOING 35MPH , HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN CONTROLLING STEERING AND OPERATING POWER BRAKES . VAN WOULD NOT RESTART ,HAD A PULL IN. DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT FORD DEALER INDICATED VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW IGNITION MODULE
WHILE DRIVING, LIGHTS KEPT ON FLICKERING, STOPPED, NOTICED SMOKE UNDER HOOD, CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES, PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE INFORMED DRIVER IT WAS ALTERNATOR, DID NOT GO TO DEALER. *AK *SLC
STOPPED AT GAS STATION AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD,AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, CONSUMER SAW FIRE FLAMES AND THEN THREW WATER ON IT TO PUT IT OUT. *AK
THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD HAVE BURNED AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
ALTERNATOR FAILED FOUR TIMES. *DH
WIRING IN REAR OF VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT. *SKD
Official recalls
0No 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
2EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available