1988 Ford F350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1988 Ford F350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1988 Ford F350. 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.
Steering/suspension systems may not adequately control steering type wobble allowing the front end to shimmy.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Severe shimmy could damage vehicle frame or steeringgear creating potential for loss of steering control.
Remedy
Modify and/or replace front suspension and steering components, tires, and frames.
Owner complaints
29 complaints2 involved a crash13 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Wiring · Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Driver's side seat belt latch would no longer lock or latch . When replacing the latching side assembly I found the web was covered with an interior color matching trim piece . Running inside the trim piece was an electric harness which operated the dashboard warning light when the harness…
Driver's side seat belt latch would no longer lock or latch . When replacing the latching side assembly I found the web was covered with an interior color matching trim piece . Running inside the trim piece was an electric harness which operated the dashboard warning light when the harness exited the trim and was routed back to the center of the seat. it more or less made a 90 degree turn . The electrical harness split halfway through the belts webbing . To me this seemed to have weakened the restraint of the seat belt by 50% . *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator caught fire, thankfully was in my driveway, because it took more than a fire extinguisher to put it out, had to use hose for an extended period. Fortunitely fire was contained to the alt. And plug. When I called about replacing the plug was told it came with the new alt. Because of…
Alternator caught fire, thankfully was in my driveway, because it took more than a fire extinguisher to put it out, had to use hose for an extended period. Fortunitely fire was contained to the alt. And plug. When I called about replacing the plug was told it came with the new alt. Because of inherent problems with shorts and fires. Can you imagine in I was hooked to my fifth wheel and out in the desert, witch I am alot what could have happened. This problem could have been huge. This IS a known problem that I can't believe wasnt attended to.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle caught on fire and was engulfed into flames before fire department could get to vehicle. Consumer was second owner of vehicle, and didn't know if recall ever applied. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While driving ignition switch caught on fire, rendering electrical functions inoperable. manufacturer has been notified.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
First, right rear tire shreaded while driving on freeway breaking off frender, sending debries into car behind causing damage. second tire separation on front driver side tire causing damage to steering and brakes.*ak (dot number: ador9j6082 tiresize: lt23585r16)
- Tires › Tread/belt
There has been two catastrophic failures that have resulted in total loss of control of vehicle. Tire treads are delaminating and separtating from donut. car casses have been retained for your inspection and retesting. manufacturer IS demanding that all tires and pieces need to be immediately delivered to there facilities.*ak (dot number: h20ryd3e tiresize: 235/85r16)
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Slow rpm brake pedal would go to 1 inch from floor,dealer installed all new brake parts,still had problem,dealer called ford enginers and was told truck IS ok if pedal don't go the last inch from floorboard-ford called this "brake pedal step through'.owner (w.g.stang inc. Of hamilton,oh-wilbur stang)wrote ford a letter and was told all was fine if pedal didn't touch floorboard! Bull ?!@#$%!!!! *Ak *rm
- Structure
When clutch IS depressed fire wall flekes and causes cluth not to engage, problem IS because of improper weld on firewall to support cluth when depressed to engage
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Had just returned from having electrical problem fixed by the ford agency and having brake system inspected. brakes failed approximately twenty miles away. the vehicle seemed to be dragging to the left (slightly) stopped once to look at wheel thinking it might be going flat. could not observe…
Had just returned from having electrical problem fixed by the ford agency and having brake system inspected. brakes failed approximately twenty miles away. the vehicle seemed to be dragging to the left (slightly) stopped once to look at wheel thinking it might be going flat. could not observe anything wrong. about five miles further along while trying to slow down the brake pedal went to the floor. by downshifting and the parking brake brought vehicle to stop. fortunately it occurred in the right place as I was able to control the vehicle (just after passing a dangerous intersection). *Ak
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Very bad shimmy in front end suspension
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings
Had vehicle in for brake service. Was going downhill & noticed smoke coming from the front. Stopped vehicle & checked. Brakes on fire. Put flames out. Dealership towed vehicle. Mechanic found nothing wrong with brakes. No recalls on vehicle. consumer has receipt from the same dealer stating they performed brake recall repairs 100 miles prior to the fire. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle was repaired under recall 96v017 . after a week the wiring harness and the motor melted. consumer has notified the delaer and manufacturer. %ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch failure prior to recall notice resulted in vehicle fire.
- Power train › Clutch assembly
Reinforcement plate on the clutch master cylinder cracked causing separation from the dash panel, resulted in leakage.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall number 96v-07100 and manufacturer recall number 95s28 regarding ignition system. manufacturer refused to correct problem due to owner waiting too long , past due date, to bring vehicle in for repairs before vehicle caught on fire. *ak
- Structure › Body
The clutch pedal has to be pushed very hard in order to start the vehicle. This IS due to the cracking of the firewall. Owner has installed a minor repair bracket. Dealer IS aware of problem and stated that there IS a major repair kit. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle caught fire.
- Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission makes very loud noise. *ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
Spare tire caught fire due to location near exhaust system.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When applying the brake, the rear anti-lock brakes lock up. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
When driving down the hill apply the brake there IS no brake . Please describe .
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
When going down the hill brake heat up and there no brake . Please describe .
- Unknown or other
Trucks toolbox door came open, causing accident. (New jersey state police report) *dsh
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
While driving the vehicle went up in flames from under the dash. Please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Engine compartment fire while the vehicle was parked there was extensive damage to include wiring harness, battery and other plastic components. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Hydraulic brake line cracks/leaks
There is no summary currently available
- 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
- Power loss
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.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3055148Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 613341Experiencing front end shimmy occurring at various driving speeds and IS usually induced when hitting bumps such as large potholes or rough railroad crossings.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 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.
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 605721Some vehicles may develop "cavitation" erosion in the cylinder wall of the engine.
- 605576Information regarding random hairline cracks, "star cracking" in rear sheet molding composite (smc) fenders - dual rear vehicles operating in severe duty conditions.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 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.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 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 F350 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.