MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford F Series

○ Not enough data
1988 Ford F Series
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:56:25.316Z

Only 4 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 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
6

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 6 complaints 1988 6 1989: 2 complaints 1990: 2 complaints 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1993: 5 complaints 1993 1994: 7 complaints 1995: 16 complaints 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 47 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 1999 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 44 complaints 2002: 34 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 9 complaints 2005 2006: 4 complaints 2007: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 6 complaints 1988 6 1989: 2 complaints 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 5 complaints 1994: 7 complaints 1994 1995: 16 complaints 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 47 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2000 2001: 44 complaints 2002: 34 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 7 complaints 2004 2005: 9 complaints 2006: 4 complaints 2006 2007: 4 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1988 6 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 6 complaints 1991 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 5 complaints 1993 1994: 7 complaints 1994 1995: 16 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 47 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 36 complaints 1999 2000: 41 complaints 2000 2001: 44 complaints 2001 2002: 34 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2004 2005: 9 complaints 2005 2006: 4 complaints 2006 2007: 4 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008

1988: 6 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19830
19841
19850
19860
19873
19886
19892
19902
19916
19922
19935
19947
199516
199616
199747
199820
199936
200041
200144
200234
20031
20047
20059
20064
20074
20081

Known problem areas

Only 6 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

3 of 6 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and front.

Show complaint excerpts

The driver's seatbelt becomes unlatched. The button on the latch seems to fail causing the seat belt to become unbuckled. Buckle will seem to lock but will unlock with a slight wiggle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-08-23

The driver side seat belt became unlatched while driving on the highway. *nlm the seat belt has not worked since the original failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-19

Drivers seat belt buckle failed to stay engaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-29

Vehicle speed control

1 of 6 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1988 Ford F150. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was taken to an independent mechanic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-17

Electrical system

1 of 6 total reports mentions: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-03

Safety timeline

1 recall · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1989-02-07Steering89V009000 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.

    Remedy: Install redesigned front axle track bar to crossmember bracket and if necessary, replace certain steering components.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1989-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-11-17 Firewall fracture
  3. I
    1989-12-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-01 Fire in heater/ac plenum
  4. I
    1994-03-10Defect petitionClosed 1994-04-25 Defective wiring
  5. I
    1994-04-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-08-31 Under dash fires

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford F Series — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V009000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford F Series 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 F Series?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford F Series have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.