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1986 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford F-250, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

69
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years55% below the F-250 median · #25 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3816 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage144kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 24, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford F-250 has problems

38 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 system1310
Engine and engine cooling55
Tires50
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Fuel system, gasoline32
Structure20
Seat belts20
Vehicle speed control20
Suspension10
2 other systems20

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

2 recalls

1986 Ford F-250 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-250 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-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford F-250, and the recalls they led to.

  1. F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRESDP89005 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  2. FUEL LEAKS/FIRESPE87017 · closed May 26, 1987
    No recall
  3. FIRESPE89020 · closed Jun 1, 1989
    No recall
  4. FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILSPE94065 · closed Dec 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-250 owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10372317 · Dec 24, 2010 · 143,719 miles
WHILE DRIVING, IGNITION SWITCH LOCATED ON TILTED AREA OF STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING, CAUSE A POWER SURGE, RESULTIN IN UNDERHOOD FIRE. *AK
Complaint 985507 · Jun 11, 1996
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE UNDER THE DASH, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 984299 · May 9, 1996

Own a 1986 F-250?

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