MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford F350

○ Not enough data
1988 Ford F350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:28.535Z

Only 29 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 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
29

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 2 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 14 complaints 1987: 8 complaints 1988: 29 complaints 1988 29 1989: 41 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 29 complaints 1988 29 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 14 complaints 1986 1987: 8 complaints 1987 1988: 29 complaints 1988 29 1989: 41 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008

1988: 29 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19820
19831
19842
19854
198614
19878
198829
198941
199039
20050
20060
20070
20080

Known problem areas

Only 29 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

9 of 29 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing ignition and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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 .

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-01-25

Also filed under Seat belts

Service brakes

6 of 29 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Engine and engine cooling

3 of 29 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving, vehicle caught fire. Reasons unknown. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-04

While driving, vehicle caught on fire. Reasons unknown. Please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-04

Tires

3 of 29 total reports mention: tires, most commonly citing tread/belt and temporary/emergency spare tire.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

3 of 29 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1988-02-04Suspension88V015000 Steering/suspension systems may not adequately control steering type wobble allowing the front end to shimmy.

    Remedy: Modify and/or replace front suspension and steering components, tires, and frames.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1988-10-14Visibility88V146000 Sliding rear window may contain glazing panels which do not meet requirements of FMVSS 205.

    Remedy: Replace suspect window panels.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1988-11-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-04-19 Power loss
  4. I
    1988-12-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-01 Fires
  5. I
    1989-01-26Defect petitionClosed 1989-08-01 F-series fuel tank fires
  6. I
    1991-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-31 Loss of brake effectivenes
  7. I
    1991-06-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-25 Spare tire fires
  8. I
    1991-10-30Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-30 Loss of brake effectivenes
  9. R
    1992-06-10Service brakes, hydraulic92V026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1993-06-04Engineering analysisClosed 1994-07-29 Alternator belt failure
  11. I
    1994-01-25Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-04-29 Hydraulic brake line cracks/leaks
  12. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford F350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 3 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V015000 · Suspension
  • Recall 88V146000 · Visibility
  • Recall 92V026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford F350 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 F350?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford F350 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

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