1986 Ford F250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
377,089 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 13.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
Tires: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 25 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
1995: 5; 1996: 13; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2010: 4
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10372317 · 2010-12-24 (December 24, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING MY 1986 FORD F-250 6.9 L DIESEL EXTENDED CAB 2WD , I HAD HEARD A SIZZLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH ON THE TOP. THE TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD NO POWER TO ANYTHING, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION I QUICKLY IDENTIFIED A PLACE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MAKE A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE CENTER OF THE DASH BY THE RADIO AND BUILT IN CLOCK, JUST AS THE TRUCK HAD LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH A E…
Owner-reported narrative. 143,719 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752794 · 2001-10-01 (October 1, 2001)
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE THE LAS 6 MONTHS TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK AND IT ALL SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEMS. REPLACED IGNITION TWICE AND BIG BOX FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHING ON LEFT SIDE UNDER HOOD BY FIREWALL. IT STOPS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND WON'T STAY RUNNING AND MY SONS 81 BRONCO IS DOING THE SAME THING ALSO. THE OIL PRESSURE IS REAL LOW IN TOWN WHEN I STOP AND START. THE TRUCK DIES AND WON'T START FOR A WHILE. I HAVE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW. RIGHT NOW THEY CAN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8015278 · 2002-07-31 (July 31, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED.*AK CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE LINE HAD RUPTURED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE MIDWAY THE CHASSIS. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8015278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874735 · 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
CONSUMER REPLACED BRAKE PADS FOR DISC BRAKES, BRAND:BENDIX. ADHESIVE USED ON PADS DID NOT ADHERE TO PADS, CAUSING STEEL SHIMS TO MOVE TOWARDS ROTOR. STEEL SHIMS WERE CUTTING INTO ROTOR. IN TIME ROTOR WILL BE CUT IN HALF. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER AFTER 1 NOV 2000, WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT A COMMON COMPLAINT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985507 · 1996-06-11 (June 11, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION SWITCH LOCATED ON TILTED AREA OF STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING, CAUSE A POWER SURGE, RESULTIN IN UNDERHOOD FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960564 · 1995-02-24 (February 24, 1995)
VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN OVER 5MPH DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILURE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960564 at NHTSA ↗