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1988 Ford F Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
4Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
1Seat Belts
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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: 2 of 4 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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2006
Electrical SystemInjury

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 ODI #10151681

Official recalls

1

89V009000 · Steering:linkages

Jan 24, 1989

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.

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

3

DP94002 · Defective Wiring

Opened Mar 10, 1994 · Closed Apr 25, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:interconnecting Assembly(wiring)

DEFECTIVE WIRING

PE90023 · Fire In Heater/ac Plenum

Opened Dec 5, 1989 · Closed Mar 1, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available

PE89130 · Firewall Fracture

Opened Jun 15, 1989 · Closed Nov 17, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

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