Ford F150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
552 owner complaints analyzed
46 distinct recall campaigns
105,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1955 to 1990 model years. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 68 of 552 complaints (12.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 94 | 17.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 53 | 9.6% |
| Braking behavior | 33 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 2.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 68 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 59 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 45 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 33 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 26 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 24 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 23 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 68; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 59; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 45; Electrical System:Ignition: 33; Tires:Tread/Belt: 26; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 24; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 23
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 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 500 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 | 87 |
| 1996 | 179 |
| 2000 | 97 |
| 2001 | 56 |
| 2002 | 47 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
1995: 87; 1996: 179; 2000: 97; 2001: 56; 2002: 47; 2003: 26; 2004: 14; 2005: 16; 2006: 6; 2007: 11; 2008: 6; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 94 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 53 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 33 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 10105231 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, A FIRE STARTED NEAR THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE FIRE MARSHALL COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148773 · 2006-01-26 (January 26, 2006)
MY 1987' FORD F150 HAS DUAL FUEL TANKS, WITH THE TANK SELECTOR SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON 01/25/06 AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY BEFORE SHUTTING IT OFF. I LEFT IT RUNNING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK, AND GAS WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER HOLE FOR THE FRONT TANK. I ONLY RAN OFF THE REAR TANK. EVIDENTLY, THE FUEL SWITCHING VALVE WAS PUTTING THE UNUSED FUEL IN THE FRONT TANK INSTEAD OF THE REAR TAN, , CAUSING THE FRONT TAN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734205 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT STAY BUCKLED, SPRING LATCH FAILED; IGNITION MODULE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, WIRING ON HARNESS FOR MODULE LOST INSULATION, CASUSED REPEATED STALLS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984789 · 1996-05-23 (May 23, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING FUSE BOX/STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE;UNABLE TO TURN OFF IGNITION BECAUSE WIRE HAD MELTED TOGETHER;EXTINGUISHED FIRE BY REMOVING BATTERY CABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962470 · 1995-03-23 (March 23, 1995)
ABS BRAKES GRAB WHEN APPLIED HARD CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979528 · 1996-09-30 (September 30, 1996)
REAR BRAKE PIPE RUPTURED AT 87,000 MILES DUE TO CORROSION, POSSIBLE DUE TO SALT ON THE ROAD, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744870 · 2001-05-03 (May 3, 2001)
ALL THE REPLACEMENT STEERING BOXES ARE ALSO WORN OUT. THAT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM BUT FORD DOESN'T SUPPLY THE PARTS AND SO FAR, IT SEEMS NO ONE ELSE DOES EITHER. REMANUFACTURERS OF THE STEERING BOXES DON'T HAVE ACCESS THE "OBSOLETE PARTS" EITHER. THE PART NUMBER THAT IS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR TO THE TWO STEERING BOXES I HAVE IS C5AZ-3576-A, TWO OF THEM FOR EACH BOX. THIS IS AN INSIDIOUS DEFECT BEING IGNORED BY FORD AND F SERIES OWNERS ALIKE. AFTER DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THE USUAL RESPONSE INCUDES "BRAGGING" ABOUT HOW LOOSE THEIR STEERING I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870107 · 2000-09-11 (September 11, 2000)
LOWER INNER TIE ROD HAS BROKEN, PREVENTING ANY/ AND ALL MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER SIDE ROD CAME OUT THE SOCKET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873940 · 2000-10-26 (October 26, 2000)
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. A DEALER'S TECHNICIAN DROVE VEHICLE AND NOTICED STALLING. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488560 · 1995-09-24 (September 24, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488560 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 |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 3 |
| 1976 | 1 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1979 | 9 |
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 4 |
1975: 3; 1976: 1; 1977: 5; 1978: 9; 1979: 9; 1980: 4; 1981: 3; 1982: 0; 1983: 1; 1984: 1; 1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 3; 1988: 2; 1989: 4; 1990: 4