Ford F Series Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 315 owner complaints across 33 model years of the Ford F Series (1971–2008). The most-complained-about year is 1997.

Pick your Ford F Series model year

• 1971
• 1972
• 1973
• 1974
• 1975
• 1976
• 1977
• 1978
• 1979
• 1984
• 1985
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008

What Ford F Series owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 315 complaints with NHTSA. The 1997 model year has the most, with 47.

• Engine and engine cooling41
• Electrical system28
• Engine and engine cooling: engine25
• Fuel system, gasoline22
• Engine15
• Vehicle speed control12
• Tires11
• Unknown or other11

All Ford F Series recalls (10)

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

1. Structure

   NHTSA 03V094000 Reported March 7, 2003 3,674 vehicles potentially affected SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS

   Certain pickup truck, van, and MINI van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

   Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

2. Master cylinder (service brakes)

   NHTSA 90V100000 Reported May 24, 1990 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

3. Power assist (service brakes)

   NHTSA 90V097000 Reported May 21, 1990 3,200 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Interconnection of return line plumbing from hydroboost steering gear may cause light application of hydroboost unit without applying brake pedal.

   Remedy: Install revised return lines and replace damaged brake system components.

   Model years: 1989, 1990

4. Linkages (steering)

   NHTSA 89V009000 Reported January 24, 1989 24,454 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   Bolts that attach the front axle track bar bracket to the front crossmember may loosen, allowing the front wheels to oscillate with front end shimmy.

   Remedy: Install redesigned front axle track bar to crossmember bracket and if necessary, replace certain steering components.

   Model years: 1988, 1989

5. Air (parking brake)

   NHTSA 85V168000 Reported December 20, 1985 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

6. Service brakes, air: control unit/module

   NHTSA 79V077000 Reported March 29, 1979 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

7. Windshield (visibility)

   NHTSA 78V161000 Reported July 25, 1978 16 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The involved vehicles were assembled without the intended windshield weatherstrip lower retainer. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 219, "windshield zone intrusion".

   Remedy: Dealer will install the windshield weatherstrip lower retainer at no cost to owner.

   Model years: 1978

8. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 78V153000 Reported July 3, 1978 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

9. Markings (tires)

   NHTSA 77V189000 Reported October 25, 1977 5,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   The involved vehicles are equipped with safety compliance certification labels and incomplete vehicle documents that indicate that the gross axle weight rating (gawr) is approximately 0.6 to 6.0 percent greater than the combined load capacity of the tires at the specified tire inflation pressure. This fails to comply with federal motor…

   Remedy: Owner will receive correct labels by mail, free of charge.

   Model years: 1978

10. Hanger, bracket (suspension)

    NHTSA 76V035000 Reported March 3, 1976 11,911 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Model years: 1974, 1975

Other Ford models

• F-15037,961 complaints
• Explorer34,566 complaints
• Escape27,430 complaints
• Fusion22,405 complaints
• Focus22,096 complaints
• Taurus18,159 complaints
• Windstar14,158 complaints
• Edge14,065 complaints

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.