1988 Ford E150

○ Not enough data
1988 Ford E150
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:19:49.154Z

Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 14 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford E150 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 9 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1988: 14 complaints 1988 1989: 30 complaints 1989 1990: 15 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2006: 1 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1988: 14 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19843
19853
19869
198717
198814
198930
199015
19970
19980
19990
20000
20040
20061
20070
20080
20090
20100
20110
20120
20130

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 14 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

2 of 14 total reports mention: tires.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 14 total reports mention: electrical system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 14 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 19961213

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 14 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

STRUCTURE

1 of 14 total reports mentions: structure.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 19910523 — PE (closed 19911031)

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

I 19911030 — EA (closed 19921030)

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford E150 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (2 reports on file for this year).

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford E150 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford E150?

The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Ford E150 have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.