1988 Ford F-350 Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Ford F-350 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford F-350. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and engine cooling (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 150,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 13 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the shoes/linings and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 system9 31%
- Brakes6 21%
- Engine cooling3 10%
- Tires3 10%
- Steering2 6.9%
- Body and structure2 6.9%
- Other or unknown1 3.5%
- Seat belts1 3.5%
- Suspension1 3.5%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Driver's side seat belt latch would no longer lock or latch . When replacing the latching side assembly I found the web was covered with an interior color matching trim piece . Running inside the trim piece was an electric harness which operated the dashboard warning light when the harness exited the trim and was routed back to the center of the seat. It more or less made a 90 degree turn . The electrical harness split halfway through the belts webbing . To me this seemed to have weakened the restraint of the seat belt by 50% .”
NHTSA complaint #10148537, filed 2006-01, 150,000 milesBrakes: “Had vehicle in for brake service. Was going downhill & noticed smoke coming from the front. Stopped vehicle & checked. Brakes on fire. Put flames out. Dealership towed vehicle. Mechanic found nothing wrong with brakes. No recalls on vehicle. Consumer has receipt from the same dealer stating they performed brake recall repairs 100 miles prior to the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #844839, filed 1999-08Tires: “There has been two catastrophic failures that have resulted in total loss of control of vehicle. Tire treads are delaminating and separtating from donut. Car casses have been retained for your inspection and retesting. Manufacturer is demanding that all tires and pieces need to be immediately delivered to there facilities. (DOT number: h20ryd3e tiresize: 235/85r16)”
NHTSA complaint #735964, filed 2000-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: Ford F-350 1988–1991, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
- 92V026000Mar 3, 1992Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/liningsCovers: Ford F-350 1988–1991, F-250 1988–1991
A revised brake lining noise insulator resulted in a decrease in the thermal insulation between the brake lining and the front brake caliper piston. This caused greater heat transfer to the caliper pistons with the potential to overheat the brake fluid and…
- 88V146000Sep 2, 1988Visibility › Glass, side/rearCovers: Ford F-350 1988, F-150 1988, F-250 1988
Sliding rear window may contain glazing panels which do not meet requirements of fmvss 205.
- 88V015000Feb 9, 1988SuspensionCovers: Ford F-350 1987–1988
Steering/suspension systems may not adequately control steering type wobble allowing the front end to shimmy.
Recall details for the 1988 Ford F-350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Ford F-350 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford F-350 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Ford F-350 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.
Has the 1988 Ford F-350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 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 1988 Ford F-350 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 150,000 miles and the middle half falls between 150,000 and 150,000 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 30, 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.