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1983 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1983 Ford F-150, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints104 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 30, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1983 Ford F-150 has problems

10 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 system32
Engine and engine cooling32
Tires30
Vehicle speed control10
Visibility10

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

1 recall

1983 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1983 vs. every other F-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 F-150 median. How we score

'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1983 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRESDP89005 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

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

DROVE VEHICLE TO STORE, GOT MIRROR, ARRIVED HOME & PARKED, DAUGHTER G0T PURSE, NOTICED SMOKE, PULLED UP HOOD; FLAMES SHOT UP; VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. *AK
Complaint 984547 · May 16, 1996

Own a 1983 F-150?

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