1986 Ford F-350 Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Ford F-350 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Ford F-350. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and tires (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 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.
- Brakes3 21%
- Electrical system3 21%
- Tires3 21%
- Exterior lighting1 7.1%
- Fuel system1 7.1%
- Seats1 7.1%
- Steering1 7.1%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I/we have replaced the brake linings on the 1986 F-350, same size, everything! Truck would hardly stop, but barly. Replaced front calipers & blead complete system through, (new calipers! Not rebuilt!) still have stopping problems? Replaced rear wheel cylenders with new/ not rebuilt! Still have same problem? Replaced master cylnder, blead complete system again! Still will barly stop! Have talked to four other f350 owners and they have the same problem? One has been to four diffrent break shops and still has the same problem! Is there something everyone is missing to do in the system? …”
NHTSA complaint #755959, filed 2001-12Electrical system: “A vehicle fire started under dash while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information, and fill in vehicle mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #8011516, filed 2002-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 106,000 and 106,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford F-350 1986–1987, Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
- 86V048000Mar 27, 1986Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › ExteriorCovers: Ford F-350 1986
The outside rear view mirrors do not meet the 50 square inch minimum requirement of fmvss 111-rearview mirrors. Consequence of defect: the standard requires a minimum dimension for rearview mirrors to provide adequate field of vision which aids in preventing…
Recall details for the 1986 Ford F-350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE89128Gearshift lever breaksClosed · Jun 7, 1989
- PE89022Antifreeze underhood firesClosed · Dec 13, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Ford F-350.
Other model years of the Ford F-350
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 91 | 73,000 | 0 | — | — | 9 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 76 | 79,000 | 1 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 149 | 90,000 | 4 | — | — | 71 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 136 | 60,000 | 4 | — | — | 92 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 28 | 104,000 | 2 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 131 | 67,532 | 9 | — | — | 90 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 36 | 54,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 145 | 60,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 114 | 81,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 159 | 50,047 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 90 | 42,044 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 116 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 160 | 72,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 304 | 81,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 413 | 106,925 | 12 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 12 | 75,158 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 155 | 110,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 130 | 103,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 134 | 130,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 95 | 145,900 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 101 | 111,330 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 52 | 87,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 31 | 89,450 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | 44,470 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 42 | 116,250 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 29 | 150,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 14 | 106,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Ford F-350 have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1986 Ford F-350 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Ford F-350 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1986 Ford F-350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Ford F-350 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,000 miles and the middle half falls between 106,000 and 106,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
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.