1986 Ford F350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 1 |
Tires: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 1
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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
1995: 2; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2010: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10345229 · 2010-07-26 (July 26, 2010)
FRONT TIRE ON LIGHT TRUCK BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING APPR. 40MPH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345231 · 2010-07-26 (July 26, 2010)
TIRE BLOW OUT ON LIGHT TRUCK WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 55 MPH THIS IS A SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THESE TIRES. COOPER REFUSES TO REGISTER THE ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488064 · 1995-10-13 (October 13, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED, REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504887 · 1996-05-25 (May 25, 1996)
KEY/IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEAT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734527 · 2000-10-17 (October 17, 2000)
I WAS TOLD AT LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS THAT THE TIRE IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE RECALL LIST.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755959 · 2001-12-22 (December 22, 2001)
I/WE HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE LININGS ON THE 1986 F-350, SAME SIZE, EVERYTHING! TRUCK WOULD HARDLY STOP, BUT BARLY. REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS & BLEAD COMPLETE SYSTEM THROUGH, (NEW CALIPERS! NOT REBUILT!) STILL HAVE STOPPING PROBLEMS? REPLACED REAR WHEEL CYLENDERS WITH NEW/ NOT REBUILT! STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM? REPLACED MASTER CYLNDER, BLEAD COMPLETE SYSTEM AGAIN! STILL WILL BARLY STOP! HAVE TALKED TO FOUR OTHER F350 OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM? ONE HAS BEEN TO FOUR DIFFRENT BREAK SHOPS AND STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! IS THERE SOMETHING …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8011516 · 2002-06-11 (June 11, 2002)
A VEHICLE FIRE STARTED UNDER DASH WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND FILL IN VEHICLE MILEAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8011516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961075 · 1995-03-03 (March 3, 1995)
DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED; PUMPED FUEL INTO ENGINE OIL PAN INTO CRANK CASE; THINS OUT CRANK CASE OIL; FILLS TOO FULL; COULD CAUSE FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961075 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.
86V048000 · Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior
Reported: 1986-03-27 (March 27, 1986)
THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT MEET THE 50 SQUARE INCH MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS 111-REARVIEW MIRRORS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE STANDARD REQUIRES A MINIMUM DIMENSION FOR REARVIEW MIRRORS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FIELD OF VISION WHICH AIDS IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS.
Remedy: REPLACE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WITH UNIT MAGNIFICATION MIRRORS OF 9" X 6" REFLECTIVE SURFACE DIMENSIONS.
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 ↗