1988 Ford F250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
144,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 38 complaints (7.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 23.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 37 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 | 12 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 12; 2000: 8; 2001: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 503751 · 1996-04-23 (April 23, 1996)
FRONT BRAKES FAILED FIVE TIMES. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601427) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506572 · 1996-07-24 (July 24, 1996)
VEHICLE VEERED TO LEFT UPON APPLYING BRAKES IN EMERGENCY SITUATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096680 · 2004-10-12 (October 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING,THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK EXPLODED. NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TRANSFER THE FUEL TO THE SECOND TANK AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE VEHICLES ENGINE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION. THE CONSUMER SWITCHED TANKS AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THE GARAGE REMOVED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10096680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482276 · 1995-03-21 (March 21, 1995)
FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER/FUEL LEAK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959584 · 1995-02-06 (February 6, 1995)
TRANSMISSION; PURCHASE TRUCK USED HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONSUMER THINK TRUCK BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IT BEEN WORK ON ABOUT THREE TIMES MAKING NOISE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982980 · 1996-04-18 (April 18, 1996)
INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CATCHING FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980020 · 1996-02-29 (February 29, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM DASH, STOPPED VEHICLE GOT OUT, FLAMES STARTED COMING OVER STEERING COLUMN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980020 at NHTSA ↗