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: 4 of 38 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 5 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 reports16 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
38 reports
143,719 miles · Dec 24, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING MY 1986 FORD F-250 6.9 L DIESEL EXTENDED CAB 2WD , I HAD HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH ON THE TOP. THE TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I QUICKLY IDENTIFIED A PLACE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 1986 FORD F-250 6.9 L DIESEL EXTENDED CAB 2WD , I HAD HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH ON THE TOP. THE TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I QUICKLY IDENTIFIED A PLACE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BY THE RADIO AND BUILT IN CLOCK, JUST AS THE TRUCK HAD LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH A ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THE IGNITION WIRING. I WAS LUCKY THE TRUCK DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN UP. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET AND WONT BE FIXED UNTIL I FIND OUT MORE. DOES FORD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS?.... IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM WHAT IM READING ABOUT OTHER INCIDENTS.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372317
379,237 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Tires
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 7/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS THIRD TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORTS #10345185 & #10345187 FOR FIRST & SECOND). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345191
379,237 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Tires
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 8/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS SECOND TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORT # 10345185 FOR FIRST). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345187
374,941 miles · Jul 25, 2010
Tires
I WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY (NO SHOULDER) WHEN BELT AND TREAD OF RIGHT REAR TIRE PEELED OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS TO NEAREST TURN OFF, PULL OFF ROADWAY, AND PUT MY SPARE ON. ON COMING AND FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAD TO SWERVE …
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I WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY (NO SHOULDER) WHEN BELT AND TREAD OF RIGHT REAR TIRE PEELED OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS TO NEAREST TURN OFF, PULL OFF ROADWAY, AND PUT MY SPARE ON. ON COMING AND FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAD TO SWERVE (SOME OFF OF ROAD) TO AVOID PIECES OF DISINTEGRATING TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345185
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED.*AK CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE LINE HAD RUPT…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED.*AK CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE LINE HAD RUPTURED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MIDWAY THE CHASSIS. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8015278
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2002
Structure
CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS BUMPER FAILED. BUMPER HAD BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR. CONSUMER HAS USED BUMPER AT LEASE 10 TIMES AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA ODI #8008096
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2001
Tires
THE TIRE STARTED TO COME APART WHILE DRIVING THE OHIO TURNPIKE, SOUNDED LIKE RUMBLE STRIPS PRIOR TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 265 /16)
NHTSA ODI #754552
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE THE LAS 6 MONTHS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ALL SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEMS. REPLACED IGNITION TWICE AND BIG BOX FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHING ON LEFT SIDE UNDER HOOD BY FIREWALL. IT STOPS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WON'T STAY RUNNING AND MY SONS 81 BRONCO IS DOING THE SAME THING…
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I HAVE HAD TROUBLE THE LAS 6 MONTHS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ALL SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEMS. REPLACED IGNITION TWICE AND BIG BOX FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHING ON LEFT SIDE UNDER HOOD BY FIREWALL. IT STOPS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WON'T STAY RUNNING AND MY SONS 81 BRONCO IS DOING THE SAME THING ALSO. THE OIL PRESSURE IS REAL LOW IN TOWN WHEN I STOP AND START. THE TRUCK DIES AND WON'T START FOR A WHILE. I HAVE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW. RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T GET MY SONS 81 BRONCO TO STAY RUNNING AND HAVEING TROUBLE GETTING IT TO START. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RECALL AND WHY DID FORD SKIMP ON MY FAVORITE VEHICLE. I NEVER HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 73 AND I DROVE IT FOR 15 YEARS. I WANT SOME ANSWERS. THANK YOU LEONA THOMASON. *AK (TIRESIZE: 16 INCH LT)
NHTSA ODI #752794
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2001
Tires
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT WITH THESE TIRES. FORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES, ONLY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. IF I WAS ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, OR DRIVING ALONT THE COAST THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS. BOTH TIMES VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANES TO AVOID TIRE DEBRIS (AND ME). I HAVE REPLAC…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A BLOWOUT WITH THESE TIRES. FORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES, ONLY DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. IF I WAS ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, OR DRIVING ALONT THE COAST THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS. BOTH TIMES VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE INTO ADJACENT LANES TO AVOID TIRE DEBRIS (AND ME). I HAVE REPLACED ALL FIRESTONE TIRES AT MY EXPENSE. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE. I HAVE A FULL SIZE CAMPER ON THIS TRUCK, AND WHEN A TIRE BLOWS DIRECTIONAL CONTROL IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN. IN OVER 400,000 MILES OF DRIVING I'VE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS. BOTH FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDOR1WW485 TIRESIZE: 23585R16)
NHTSA ODI #746145
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE PADS FOR DISC BRAKES, BRAND:BENDIX. ADHESIVE USED ON PADS DID NOT ADHERE TO PADS, CAUSING STEEL SHIMS TO MOVE TOWARDS ROTOR. STEEL SHIMS WERE CUTTING INTO ROTOR. IN TIME ROTOR WILL BE CUT IN HALF. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER AFTER 1 NOV 2000, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT A COMMON COMPLAINT.*AK
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
TRUCKS FAIL TO MEET REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY, IN A 30 MPH FRONT ANGULAR BARRIER TEST IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE OMISSION OF THE NOSE SHIELD ON MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE TRUCKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FMVSS INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: INSTALL NOSE SHIELD ON THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK.
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
PE94065 · Fuel Injector Pump Fails
Opened Aug 19, 1994 · Closed Dec 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
DP89005 · F-SERIES Fuel Tank Fires
Opened Jan 26, 1989 · Closed Aug 1, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline
F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
PE89020 · Fires
Opened Dec 7, 1988 · Closed Jun 1, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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)===
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