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1988 Ford E-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1988 Ford E-150, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints143 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 12, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Ford E-150 has problems

14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system73
Fuel system, gasoline20
Tires20
Vehicle speed control10
Steering10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1988 Ford E-150 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other E-150 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-150 median. How we score

'76'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'21'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Ford E-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESEA91044 · closed Oct 30, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-026
  2. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91077 · closed Oct 31, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-150 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

STOPPED AT GAS STATION AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD,AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, CONSUMER SAW FIRE FLAMES AND THEN THREW WATER ON IT TO PUT IT OUT. *AK
Complaint 984155 · May 7, 1996
THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD HAVE BURNED AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 984137 · May 6, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, LIGHTS KEPT ON FLICKERING, STOPPED, NOTICED SMOKE UNDER HOOD, CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES, PARTS STORE EMPLOYEE INFORMED DRIVER IT WAS ALTERNATOR, DID NOT GO TO DEALER. *AK *SLC
Complaint 806348 · Dec 13, 1996

Own a 1988 E-150?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.