Ford F SERIES (LIGHT) problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
120 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
116,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1973 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 120 complaints (6.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 26.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 7; Engine: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 14
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 73 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 54 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 54; 1996: 9; 2000: 1; 2003: 7; 2004: 3; 2005: 8; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 4; 2012: 8; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 479571 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
BRAKE PROBLEMS. (2ND VEHICLE ON 480312) (F250) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326830 · 2010-04-21 (April 21, 2010)
STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. SPARE TIRE RETAINER RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDER VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481027 · 1995-02-04 (February 4, 1995)
FUEL PUMP FAILURE CAUSING FUEL TO BE PUSHED OUT TOP OF ONE TANK WHEN BOTH TANKS ARE FULL, ALSO TANK MAKES POPPING NOISE WHEN FULL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480911 · 1995-01-15 (January 15, 1995)
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480578 · 1995-01-24 (January 24, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, CAUSING A FIRE. (F250) *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503221 · 1996-03-21 (March 21, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS LOCATED ON TOP OF TRUCKS FRAME, CUT BY SEAM IN CABS FLOORBOARD, CAUSING SHORT WHICH CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO FAIL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481351 · 1995-03-06 (March 6, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN CHANGING GEARS. (F150). *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478313 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. (F150) *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481240 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM MELTED DOWN THREE TIMES, CAUSING COMPUTER TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478453 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
ENGINE STALLS/REVVS AT FULL THROTTLE WHEN A/C OR DEFROSTER IS TURNED ON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503306 · 1996-04-08 (April 8, 1996)
POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED 13 TIMES DUE TO FAILING AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF TRUCK USAGE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480745 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
FAN BELT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES/STEERING. (F250). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480745 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1986: 0; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0