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1986 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford F-150, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

92
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years92% below the F-150 median · #39 of 42 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6118 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem22Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 18, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford F-150 has problems

61 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 system2210
Fuel system, gasoline102
Engine and engine cooling92
Structure90
Seat belts61
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Steering30
Parking brake20
Power train20
3 other systems32

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

1 recall

1986 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.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1986 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRESDP89005 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA87020 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-139
  3. FUEL LEAKS/FIRESPE87017 · closed May 26, 1987
    No recall
  4. FIRESPE89020 · closed Jun 1, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Complaint 8001940 · Jan 10, 2002
THE IINGITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO CUT OFF. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD POP, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED( NIGHT DRIVING) AND THE CAB OF THE PICKUP FILLED WITH SMOKE, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES ATTEMPTED TO…
Complaint 985810 · Jun 18, 1996
STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON VOLUNTARILY, STARTED SMOKING, FIRE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERHOOD;VEHICLE BURNT COMPLETELY WITHIN 8 MINUTES. *AK
Complaint 984480 · May 14, 1996

Own a 1986 F-150?

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