RecallMyCar

Ford B Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints across 18 model years of the Ford B Series (1971–1998). The most-complained-about year is 1988.

7
safety recalls, all years
4
owner complaints, all years
1975
year with most recalls
1988
year with most complaints

Pick your Ford B Series model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1998 Ford B Series01
1994 Ford B Series01
1993 Ford B Series01
1990 Ford B Series10
1988 Ford B Series01
1987 Ford B Series10
1985 Ford B Series10
1984 Ford B Series10
1982 Ford B Series10
1979 Ford B Series10
1978 Ford B Series10
1977 Ford B Series20
1976 Ford B Series20
1975 Ford B Series30
1974 Ford B Series20
1973 Ford B Series10
1972 Ford B Series10
1971 Ford B Series10

What Ford B Series owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The 1988 model year has the most, with 1.

All Ford B Series recalls (7)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Ford B Series, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 90V100000 Reported 365 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Incorrect size master cylinder installed will provide less line pressure to wheel cylinders for a given pedal pressure.

    Remedy: Install the correct 1.75 inch master cylinder.

    Model years: 1990

  2. Springs (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V059000 Reported 2,060 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Diesel engine goveernor lever assemblies may have been improperly assembled so that one or more of three retaining prongs may not be engaged in the governor lever pivot shafts.

    Remedy: Replace governor lever assemblies.

    Model years: 1987

  3. Air (parking brake)

    NHTSA 85V168000 Reported 51,500 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The hydraulic parking brake control valve may inadvertently activate due to momentary pressure disruptions within the system and cause the parking brake to be applied, stopping or slowing the truck unexpectedly. Consequence of defect: this unexpected stopping or slowing of the truck may increase the risk of a rear end collision since…

    Remedy: Replace the push-pull type brake control valve with new over-center cam type valves.

    Model years: 1984, 1985

  4. Drum (service brakes)

    NHTSA 83V033000 Reported 670 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Some of the involved vehicles may have been built with left rear brake assemblies that were incorrectly produced and may have one or two automatic brake adjusters that were intended for right rear brake assemblies. The adjuster works backwards and increases the clearance between the brake lining and drum, instead of maintaining it.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the left rear brake adjuster assembly at no charge.

    Model years: 1982

  5. Service brakes, air: control unit/module

    NHTSA 79V077000 Reported 65,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Certain air brake anti-lock modulators could malfunction during operation of the anti-lock system. A nylon piston within the modulator air valve system can swell from exposure to system contaminants. Continued exposure may cause the piston to swell to the extent that interference with the cylinder wall will result, causing momentary…

    Remedy: The pistons in the valve portion of the modulators will be replaced with pistons that do not swell when exposed to air brake system contaminants.

    Model years: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979

  6. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 78V153000 Reported 125,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The engine cooling fan blades may crack and chip due to high stresses caused by vibrations. The chipped pieces of the blade could fly into the underhood components. Also, these pieces could fly out from the vehicle if the hood is open and the engine is running.

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the existing fan blade assembly with one of another design at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977

  7. Hanger, bracket (suspension)

    NHTSA 76V035000 Reported 11,911 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1974, 1975

Other Ford models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.