Ford F150 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 46 safety recalls and 827 owner complaints across 20 model years of the Ford F150 (1955–1990). The most-complained-about year is 1990.
Pick your Ford F150 model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 Ford F150 | 4 | 254 |
| 1989 Ford F150 | 4 | 210 |
| 1988 Ford F150 | 2 | 139 |
| 1987 Ford F150 | 3 | 89 |
| 1986 Ford F150 | 1 | 61 |
| 1985 Ford F150 | 1 | 28 |
| 1984 Ford F150 | 1 | 13 |
| 1983 Ford F150 | 1 | 10 |
| 1982 Ford F150 | 0 | 5 |
| 1981 Ford F150 | 3 | 2 |
| 1980 Ford F150 | 4 | 3 |
| 1979 Ford F150 | 9 | 2 |
| 1978 Ford F150 | 9 | 4 |
| 1977 Ford F150 | 5 | 3 |
| 1976 Ford F150 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Ford F150 | 3 | 1 |
| 1973 Ford F150 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
| 1966 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
| 1955 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
What Ford F150 owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 827 complaints with NHTSA. The 1990 model year has the most, with 254.
All Ford F150 recalls (46)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Ford F150, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Ignition (electrical system)
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
A malfunctioning check valve within the fuel pump assembly causes a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When this occurs, the capacity of the second tank can be exceeded, causing fuel spillage.
Remedy: Replacement of the fuel pressure regulator and installation of redundant check valves.
Model years: 1990
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Selector devices (fuel system)
The dual fuel tank selector valve may malfunction and cause an overfill condition in one of the fuel tanks, resulting in an overflow of fuel past the filler cap.
Remedy: Replace the dual fuel tank selector valve.
Model years: 1989
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Gear position indication (prndl) (power train)
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Remedy: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
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Selector devices (fuel system)
Incorrectly installed fuel line connectors have fuel supply and return lines crossed.
Remedy: Replace fuel line assembly.
Model years: 1990
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Auxillary tank (fuel system)
Shields on the fronts of the midship mounted fuel tanks were omitted during assembly.
Remedy: Install fuel tank shields.
Model years: 1989
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Glass, side/rear (visibility)
Sliding rear window may contain glazing panels which do not meet requirements of FMVSS 205.
Remedy: Replace suspect window panels.
Model years: 1988
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
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Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)
Wheel lug nut cone angles do not match lug nut seating angles.
Remedy: Repair to prevent loosening of lug nuts.
Model years: 1987
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Wheel bearing (suspension)
Front inner wheel bearings may not have been lubricated adequately at time of assembly.
Remedy: Inspect and replace any bearing or race showing signs of galling or heat spots.
Model years: 1987
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Fuel rail (fuel system)
Metal burrs and sharp edges on fuel rails may have damaged adjacent o-ring seals during assembly. The defect could cause fuel leakage when engine is operating.
Remedy: Fuel rails will be inspected for leaks, wetness or seepage of fuel and, if necessary, fuel rails and related components will be replaced without cost to the owner.
Model years: 1985
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
The secondary throttle shaft may, with accumulated mileage, become contaminated and may stick in a partially open position while driving.
Remedy: The primary to secondary throttle closure link on the carburetor will be replaced free of charge.
Model years: 1984
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Automatic transmission (power train)
The parking gear may not engage, even though the gear shift lever is placed in the "park" position. This occurs if the linkage inside the transmission that actuates the park gear was improperly manufactured. A pin that retains components on a linkage (actuating) rod could break and the linkage may not engage the parking gear.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.
Model years: 1983
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Carrier/rack (equipment)
The reinforcement for the in-box spare tire carrier may have been attached using incorrect hex head bolts. If the carrier and reinforcement attaching bolts are incorrect, the potential exists for the tire sidewall to be damaged or weakened by extended contact with the sharp edges of the bolt heads.
Remedy: Dealer will replace bolts and any damaged spare tires at no cost to owner.
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Structure
The involved trucks were manufactured with a certain portion of specified floor pan insulation material (beneath the right front passenger seat) omitted. Because of this omission, a section of the sheet metal floor pan was left exposed over the exhaust system in an area of possible passenger contact.
Remedy: The dealer will install a revised design floorpan insulator pad at no charge to owner.
Model years: 1981
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Mounting (fuel system)
During a change in assembly procedures, certain of the mid-ship fuel tank straps may have been improperly installed or mislocated. As a result, they fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity". In the event of a collision, excessive fuel spillage may occur.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, relocate fuel tank straps without charge to owner.
Model years: 1981
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Mounting (fuel system)
The involved vehicles were manufactured without the midship fuel tank protective shields. As a result, they do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity", due to excessive fuel spillage upon frontal impact.
Remedy: The involved vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, a fuel tank shield will be installed at no charge to owner.
Model years: 1980
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
Certain vehicles were not equipped with a front protective shield for the mid-ship fuel tank. These vehicles do not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity". In the event of a frontal collision, excessive fuel spillage may occur.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install the required mid-ship fuel tank shield, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1980
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Axle shaft (power train)
The involved vehicles may have been produced with rear axle shafts (right or left) that did not receive proper heat treatment of the bearing journals.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace both rear axle shafts at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1980
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Wheels
A number of wheel assemblies on the involved vehicles may have substandard welds in the area where the disc is attached to the rim. Substandard welds can cause cracks to occur in the wheel assembly. Rapid loss of air pressure in the tire or separation of the wheel rim from the disc could result.
Remedy: If separation and loss of air occurs while vehicle is in operation, loss of vehicle control and an accident could occur without prior warning. Corrective action: the dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the…
Model years: 1979
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Wheels
The wheel assembly may contain substandard welds in the area where the disc is attached to the rim. As a result, cracks can form in the wheel assembly, causing air loss and an underinflated tire.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and replace any defective wheels without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Pedals and linkages (service brakes)
The involved vehicles were produced with brake push-rod to brake pedal retaining pins which were not heat-treated as specified. This could allow the brake pedal to become disengaged from the push-rod.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.
Model years: 1979
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Arm (steering)
The involved vehicles were assembled with improperly manufactured steering arm knuckles. Should an improperly manufactured steering arm knuckle fracture and separate, the steering linkage tie rod may disengage from the knuckle.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect for cracking in the steering arm knuckles on all vehicles and, if necessary, replace them free of charge.
Model years: 1979
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Mounting (fuel system)
The involved vehicles were manufactured without a fuel tank shield at the front right corner of the midship fuel tank. As a result, the vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity". In the event of a vehicle accident, excessive fuel spillage could result.
Remedy: The dealer will install the required fuel tank shield without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Windshield (visibility)
The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting", in that some of the vehicles were built without the specified windshield weatherstrip retaining components.
Remedy: The dealer will install the windshield weatherstrip retaining components at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Automatic transmission (power train)
The involved vehicles were equipped with automatic transmissions in which the parking pawl was not heat-treated. During normal vehicle operation, a parking pawl that has not been heat-treated could become deformed or worn to the point that the transmission will not lock in "park". As a result, the vehicle could roll free if the driver…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl with one that has been heat-treated.
Model years: 1979
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Automatic transmission (power train)
These transmissions may contain improperly manufactured parking pawl actuating rods. Consequently, the unhardened cam surface of these rods can allow the rod to deform during use with resultant increase in shift efforts and difficulty in releasing the parking pawl and engaging the parking gear.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the transmission parking pawl actuating rod without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Mounting (fuel system)
The involved vehicles do not contain a fuel tank shield at the front right corner of the mid-ship fuel tank. In the event of a frontal impact, excessive fuel spillage from the fuel tank may occur. This fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity".
Remedy: Dealer will install the necessary fuel tank shield without charge to owner.
Model years: 1979
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Retractor (seat belts)
The driver"s side shoulder belt retractor mounting bracket assembly contains a weld nut which was improperly attached to the bracket. This fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages".
Remedy: The dealer will repair the left side shoulder belt retractor mounting bracket on the involved vehicles free of charge.
Model years: 1978
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Linkages (steering)
These vehicles may be equipped with steering linkages on which cotter pins may not have been installed on castellated nuts to secure the steering drag link and tie-rod connections. Also, these attaching nuts may not have been tightened to specifications. This could allow linkage separation.
Remedy: The dealer will perform necessary corrections to the steering linkage attachments.
Model years: 1978
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Automatic transmission (power train)
Some of these vehicles may be equipped with automatic transmissions that were assembled with improperly manufactured cast iron extension housings. The housings have mislocated cast cam plate stops. A mislocated stop may prevent the transmission from locking in the park position when the gear shift selector lever is placed in the "p"…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmission extension housing without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Column shift (power train)
The shift selector reaction springs may be deformed as a result of improper installation of selector levers during column buildup. Thus the lever may not be able to be moved into the insert detents located in the steering column assembly. This could prevent the "park" gear from being engaged.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift selector reaction spring without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Wheels
Some of the steel wheels on the involved vehicles may have been improperly manufactured. These wheels, over a period of time, could crack in the wheel rim area through normal operation, without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wheels on the involved vehicles.
Model years: 1978
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
On the involved vehicles, the manual steering gears may contain steering gear recirculatory balls that could fracture. This fracturing is a result of improper heat-treatment during manufacture and can eventually cause increased steering effort.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the ball bearings of the steering gear, without charge to owner.
Model years: 1977
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
On the involved vehicles, leakage may occur at the threaded carburetor-to-fuel filter connection on the suspect carburetors. This is due to an improperly machined carburetor fuel inlet connection.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace the carburetor without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Column shift (power train)
On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.
Model years: 1978
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Linkages (steering)
The pitman arm to steering gear attachment nuts may not have been properly tightened on the involved vehicles. The nut could come off during vehicle operation.
Remedy: Dealer will tighten the pitman arm attaching nut to the correct specifications without charge to owner.
Model years: 1978
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Vehicle speed control
Some of the involved vehicles may have defective carburetors in which, under certain circumstances, the secondary throttle plates may stick open.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the carburetor at no charge to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
The involved vehicles may experience fuel leakage at the rubber hose connecting the fuel inlet tube to the carburetor filter. This leakage condition is due to insufficient insertion of the fuel tube into the hose or improper positioning of the hose clamp, causing the clamp to be crimped directly over the fuel tube bead.
Remedy: Dealer will replace the existing fuel hose clamp with a spring-type clamp at the hose-to-fuel inlet tube connection, and adjust the connection where necessary, without charge.
Model years: 1977
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Mounting (fuel system)
The upper support strap nuts, attaching the fuel tank, were not tightened to specifications. This may allow the fuel tank to detach and fall to the ground.
Remedy: Dealer will tighten attaching nuts to proper specifications to secure the fuel tank, at no cost to owner.
Model years: 1977
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Labels (equipment)
Model years: 1977
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Power assist (service brakes)
Model years: 1976
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
Model years: 1975
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Anchorage (seat belts)
Model years: 1973
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.