1986 Ford F150: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023051 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
1986 FORD F150 WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS, FUEL SIPHONS FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, TANK OVERFLOWS CAUSING SPILLAGE ON GROUND. SAME PROBLEM WITH CHECK VALVE ON FORD F150 MODELS DURING 1990 TO 1993 RESULTED IN A RECALL. DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023051 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 10234872 · 2008-07-18 (July 18, 2008)
MY 1986 FORD F-150 WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 150,000 MILES AND WAS PARKED NEXT TO MY HOUSE, NOT RUNNING, WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE TRUCK BURNED NEARLY BURNING MY HOUSE AND TRAILER, AS WELL AS ALL INSIDE IT AND SCARED MY SON AND I TERRIBLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234872 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 ↗
Owner report 501561 · 1995-12-31 (December 31, 1995)
STARTER FAILED TO DISENGAGE, CAUSING THE STARTER AND STARTER SOLENOID TO BURN UP. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503370 · 1996-04-08 (April 8, 1996)
DISTRIBUTOR COIL CAUSED MINOR EXPLOSION WHEN IGNITION KEY TURNED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505131 · 1996-06-06 (June 6, 1996)
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED, CAUSING GAS LEAK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551840 · 2000-04-12 (April 12, 2000)
THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FRAME RAIL AND REAR CROSS MEMBER BETWEEN FRAME RAILS ARE RUSTED DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECT. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551840 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗