1986 Ford F250: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10345185 · 2010-07-25 (July 25, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH ON TWO LANE HIGHWAY (NO SHOULDER) WHEN BELT AND TREAD OF RIGHT REAR TIRE PEELED OFF SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS TO NEAREST TURN OFF, PULL OFF ROADWAY, AND PUT MY SPARE ON. ON COMING AND FOLLOWING TRAFFIC HAD TO SWERVE (SOME OFF OF ROAD) TO AVOID PIECES OF DISINTEGRATING TIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 374,941 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345187 · 2010-07-25 (July 25, 2010)
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 8/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS SECOND TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORT # 10345185 FOR FIRST). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 379,237 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345191 · 2010-07-25 (July 25, 2010)
BELT OF TIRE IS SEPARATING (TIRE FEELS OUT OF BALANCE, BULGE IS NOW EVIDENT IN TREAD, 7/32'S OF ORIGINAL 15/32'S OF TREAD REMAIN). THIS IS THIRD TIRE IN SET OF FOUR TO SEPARATE (SEE ODI REPORTS #10345185 & #10345187 FOR FIRST & SECOND). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 379,237 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345191 at NHTSA ↗
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 489300 · 1995-04-13 (April 13, 1995)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER BED AREA. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503902 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
ENGINE FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504139 · 1996-05-04 (May 4, 1996)
ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506131 · 1996-05-16 (May 16, 1996)
SMOKE CAME FROM DASHBOARD AREA. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506131 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V111000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1986-08-14 (August 14, 1986)
TRUCKS FAIL TO MEET REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY, IN A 30 MPH FRONT ANGULAR BARRIER TEST IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE OMISSION OF THE NOSE SHIELD ON MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE TRUCKS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FMVSS INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NOSE SHIELD ON THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗