1988 Ford E-150 Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 4.9L 6-cyl RWD · 12 city / 14 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford E-150. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and tires (2). Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system7 50%
- Fuel system2 14%
- Tires2 14%
- Brakes1 7.1%
- Steering1 7.1%
- Body and structure1 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.1%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Could this be the same ignition module that they are concerned with in california? While no one was injured when my ignition module failed, it cost my company $453.46 to have the van towed and repaired. This is in addition to about $900.00 in lost revenues for that van.”
NHTSA complaint #734100, filed 2000-10Fuel system: “Gas cap does not vent. On hot days the tank pressurizes and gas leaks from cap. When cap is then opened it comes out like a hot raditor. Is there a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #540832, filed 1998-09Tires: “While driving, vehicle started shaking.then felt a bump under vehicle, and vehicle shook harder. Found out that right rear tire experienced tread separation. Triumph radio 2000 p235/75 r15. Dot hyhlt28046, tire failure caused damage to vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #869387, filed 2000-09Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 12 | 14 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 13 | 11 | $6,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford E-150 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA91044Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · Oct 30, 1991
- PE91077Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · May 23, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Ford E-150.
Other model years of the Ford E-150
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 6,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 16,738 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 19 | 82,800 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 12 | 60,000 | 8 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 23 | 37,500 | 11 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 42,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 83,000 | 12 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 66,325 | 17 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 12 | 49,000 | 18 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 17 | 44,373 | 14 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 16 | 52,879 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 33 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 21 | 16,354 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 37 | 73,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 50 | 104,602 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 96,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 60 | 89,146 | 5 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 102 | 103,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 71 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 121 | 129,500 | 7 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 71 | 135,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 64 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 126,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 1989 | 31 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 14 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Ford E-150 have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford E-150 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Ford E-150 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 1988 Ford E-150 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Ford E-150 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Ford E-150 (E150 Club Wagon, 4.9L 6-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 14 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.