1986 Ford F150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 44 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.4% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 42 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 18; 2000: 8; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 800894 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
DRIVING VECHILE SAW SMOKE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICIAL SHORT , WIRING BURNING, VEHICLE BURNED. *AK *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982849 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASH. COULD HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024223 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
WHILE BACKING INTO THE GARAGE CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAW THE STEERING BOX ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752536 · 2001-09-24 (September 24, 2001)
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED 4 MODULAR REPLACEMENTS. TRUCK WOULD SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING LOCK; INOPERABLE. REPAIRS WERE FROM ALAMEDA FORD, ALL STAR FOD, WINNER FORD; ALAMEDA FORD INDICATED THE PART THAT WEN INTO MODULATOR HA TO BE RE-INVENTED AS PREVIOUS PART NO LONGER MADE. 6/01/99 PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM REPAIR, LOUD CLINK IN ENGINE. TRUCK DELIVERED TO BROADWAY MOTORS FOR REPAIR, CONTACTED B.A.R. TO HAVE MATTER REVIEWED; 4/01 BROADWAY FORD CALLED TO INFORM TRUCK WAS BEING AUCTIONED OFF. OWNER HAD TO REPURCHASE TRUCK, REPAY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734072 · 2000-10-11 (October 11, 2000)
I BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AND HAD THE ENGINE REBUILT DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION, OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOW FUEL MILEAGE. THE TRUCK RUNS FINE, BUT WHEN IT GETS HOT IT HAS A TENDENCY TO STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR QUITE A WHILE. I WAS IN OMAHA AND STOPPED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, OVER THE RADIO CAME A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING, WITH MY FAMILY WITH ME THERE WAS NO PLACE I COULD TAKE THEM. THERE WAS HAIL BUT AND LUCKILY NO HAIL.. I LEFT MY FAMILY AND WENT TO GET OUR OTHER VEHICLE AND LEFT THE TRUCK. . I AM CURRENTLY OVERSEAS IN KOS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888542 · 2001-05-17 (May 17, 2001)
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE TRAVELING FROM 50 OR MORE MPH. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490555 · 1995-12-11 (December 11, 1995)
LEFT REAR BRAKE FAILES TO RELEASE AFTER PARKING BRAKE USED IN DAMP WEATHER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490555 at NHTSA ↗