1988 Ford F250
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1988 Ford F250. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1988 Ford F250. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
A revised brake lining noise insulator resulted in a decrease in the thermal insulation between the brake lining and the front brake caliper piston. This caused greater heat transfer to the caliper pistons with the potential to overheat the brake fluid and diminish brake effectiveness during severe braking conditions.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Increased stopping distances and inablility to holdvehicles on a steep grade results in increased risk of accident in the event ofa sudden stop or when constant braking IS needed to maneuver through areas withsteep grades.
Remedy
Add snap-in insulators that attach to each of the front brake caliper pistons. In addition, vehicles with 7.5 l engines will have insulation added to the engine compartment brake lines.
Sliding rear window may contain glazing panels which do not meet requirements of fmvss 205.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A fractured window may contain fragments that are largerthan the 425 grams allowed.
Remedy
Replace suspect window panels.
Owner complaints
62 complaints2 involved a crash11 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1988 ford f-250's engine compartment caught on fire. *ts while driving the consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. the consumer pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder. that's when the consumer noticed that the vehicle was on fire. the consumer attempted to put the fire out but was not successful. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
While driving,the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear, the consumer was able to pull over. the consumer noticed that the fuel tank exploded. no injuries. the consumer was able to transfer the fuel to the second tank and drove it to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed…
While driving,the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear, the consumer was able to pull over. the consumer noticed that the fuel tank exploded. no injuries. the consumer was able to transfer the fuel to the second tank and drove it to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the fuel tank needed replacement. please fill in additional information. *Jb the vehicles engine died as a result of the explosion. the consumer switched tanks and was able to drive to an independent garage. the garage removed the gas tank. tank was three times the normal size. when tank exploded it bent the vross member in front of the tank causing the bed of the truck to now be bowed where the tank was. *tc
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving, tire tread wore off the tire. Dealer notified. *ak the first tire bubbled air under the tread and was adjusted at 11K miles. the second and third tires also had air bubbles under the tread and had separated from the casing at 14K miles. *scc *jb
- Electrical system
It took numerous tries to get the vehicle to start. *jb
- Seats
Bolts and nuts that attach seat to to frame of vehicle have started to pull through floorboard.*ak consumer states the right front nut was detached from the floor which IS a safety issue, also the left rear nut was partially broken loose.*jb
- Tires › Tread/belt
Pe 00 040/tire tread separation/tire failure: left front tire was flat while traveling at 45 mph, on a 1988, ford, F250 with after market equipment, tire size lt235/85r16, dot# unvailable. Noticed multiple hair line cracks where tread met tire. Firestone notified. please feel free to provide rovide any further details on this matter. *Ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
While driving, consumer noticed the spare tire on fire, the tire was mounted underneath the bed against the tailpipe. (Ohio traffic crash report) *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving at any speed without prior warning vehicle cut off/ engine die out completely. consumer has contacted dealer , dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem. please provide any further details.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving vehicle will completely shut down without warning, cause unknown. dealer cannot identify the problem. please give any further details.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Firewall sheet metal failure due to metal fatigue, clutch and brake are too much force for the design and gauge of the firewall. *slc
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tread seperated from the tire - no blow out.*ak (dot number: *t*16x6k tiresize: 85r16m/s)
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Brake caliper mount IS spreading on both sides of the vehicle. there's IS a banging and squealing noise, and IS very hard to stop vehicle. consumer will call the manufacturer to get answers to why it's happening. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Structure › Body
On the brake system failures ford issued a recall and installed insulators on the calipers to cure the problem and ever would pay for the replacement of parts and labor due tpo the initial problem . also ford recalled the vehicle on the paint and when after 2 years of trying to get ford to do something they said I had to many miles on the truck . This IS no way to treat a customer *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devices
Dual fuel tanks switching module failed, causing fuel to spew from rear tank---as per report on 1990 to 1993 models. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
When the dual frontal tank are full consumer notices fuel leakage coming from the front tank, causing a fire hazard. Consumer has yet to have parts replaced. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti lock brake failure causing extensive damage to 40' coachman rv when accident occurred. Mjs
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When applying the ABS brakes on dry pavement pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. please give any further details. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in a collision. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Consumer parked vehicle outside front of house; approximately two minutes later was informed of vehicle being on fire. Dealer/manufacturer. Notified and had nothing postive to say. Seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission should not have failed at such low mileage. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Owner had recall work done on ignition switch and brakes on june 22,1998 (recall # 92v026000, 96v071000). 6 days later, owner was driving vehicle and smelled smoke, soon after brake loss and ignition switch failure occurred; vehicle would not shut off. the parts that were worked on failed, but ford denies responsibility. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt failed.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devices
Due to a defective fuel check valve the rear fuel tank pumps gas in to the front fuel tank which causes fuel spillage. recall on 1989 ford F250. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Transmission line failed.
- Structure › Body
Firewall cracked around master cylinder/clutch area.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Alternator belt failure
There is no summary currently available
- Loss of brake effectivenes
===
- Spare tire fires
There is no summary currently available
- Loss of brake effectivenes
There is no summary currently available
- F-series fuel tank fires
F-series fuel tank fires
- Fires
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 3055147Unknown
- 618602Concerns with the signal mirror reflective surface deteriorating over time, developing dark spots due to chrome plating delamination.
- 609538Front end shimmy may occur at various driving speeds and IS usually induced when hitting bumps, such as large potholes or rough railroad crossings. Shimmy IS not always verified during road test.
- 605721Some vehicles may develop "cavitation" erosion in the cylinder wall of the engine.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601045Front caliper piston boots damaged.
- 601036Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51691Accessory drive belts- fead belt comes off- vehicles with 4.9L engine.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51669Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement.
- 51401Diagnostic guides for out-of-warranty vehicles to be used as a master copy - diagnostic guides no longer available from adistra.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 45943Steering gear-replacement of bendix, steering gear with new ross steeering gear.
- 42085Unknown
- 42080Unknown
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
- 41012Some vehicles may exhibit a lack of power or a no start condition due to an exhaust restriction.
- 40086Lack of power or no start condition may be due to exhaust restriction caused by a plugged catalytic converter and/or muffler.
- 39892There may be a concern of poor performance, coolant in the oil and engine knocking and/or hydraulic lock on some vehicles.
- 39831Vehicles with manual transmission may have a lack of power or no start condition caused by a plugged catalytic converter or muffler.
Every Ford F250 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.