1986 Ford F-250 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 34%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 143,719miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 1986 Ford F-250, 34% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 143,719 miles. 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 pull over on the side of the road and make a complete stop without accident. White smoke had come from the center of the dash by the radio and built in clock, just as the truck had lost power and stopped running. Obviously something to do with a electrical fire and the ignition wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #10372317, filed 2010-12, 143,719 miles“I have had trouble the las 6 months trying to track down the problem with my truck and it all seems to be electrical ignition systems. Replaced ignition twice and big box for electric switching on left side under hood by firewall. It stops going down the road and won't stay running and my sons 81 bronco is doing the same thing also. The oil pressure is real low in town when I stop and start. The truck dies and won't start for a while. I have spent over a thousand dollars trying to figure it out and no one seems to know. …”
NHTSA complaint #752794, filed 2001-10“While truck was parked in front of owner's home it caught on fire in the cab area. Truck had not been driven for one week. Believes fire to have started in the ignition switch. The truck was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #825820, filed 1998-07“Started vehicle, driving down road, cab of vehicle filled with smoke and smells like burning wire, turn vehicle off and then restarted, again on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #983566, filed 1996-04Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 9 | 6% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 18 | 7% |
| 2011 | 11 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 12 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 18 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 36 | 23% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 14 | 9% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 24 | 7% |
| 1999 | 25 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 19 | 6% |
| 1996 | 11 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 12 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 9 | 8% |
| 1991 | 15 | 14% |
| 1990 | 14 | 13% |
| 1989 | 20 | 18% |
| 1988 | 15 | 24% |
| 1987 | 11 | 29% |
| 1986 | 13 | 34% |
| 1985 | 6 | 29% |
| 1984 | 5 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1986 Ford F-250
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Ford F-250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology