How many recalls does the 1988 Ford F-350 have?

The 1988 Ford F-350 has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1988 Ford F-350 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1988 Ford F-350?

Of 34 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1988 Ford F-350 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Ford F-350 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,479,400 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 96V071000 1996-04-25 7,900,000 affected

Defect

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 92V026000 1992-03-03 467,000 affected

Defect

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 DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.

Remedy

ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.

VISIBILITY 88V146000 1988-09-02 57,400 affected

Defect

SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.

Consequence

A FRACTURED WINDOW MAY CONTAIN FRAGMENTS THAT ARE LARGERTHAN THE 425 GRAMS ALLOWED.

Remedy

REPLACE SUSPECT WINDOW PANELS.

SUSPENSION 88V015000 1988-02-09 55,000 affected

Defect

STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEMS MAY NOT ADEQUATELY CONTROL STEERING TYPE WOBBLE ALLOWING THE FRONT END TO SHIMMY.

Consequence

SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE VEHICLE FRAME OR STEERINGGEAR CREATING POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

MODIFY AND/OR REPLACE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS, TIRES, AND FRAMES.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Total complaints34

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING · reported 2006-01-25

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · reported 2006-01-25

“Alternator caught fire, thankfully was in my driveway, because it took more than a fire extinguisher to put it out, had to use hose for an extended period. Fortunitely fire was contained to the alt. And plug. When I called about replacing the plug was told it came with the new alt. Because of…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · reported 2002-02-02

“Vehicle caught on fire and was engulfed into flames before fire department could get to vehicle. Consumer was second owner of vehicle, and didn't know if recall ever applied. *ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 2001-05-17

“While driving ignition switch caught on fire, rendering electrical functions inoperable. Manufacturer has been notified.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · reported 2001-04-08

“First, right rear tire shreaded while driving on freeway breaking off frender, sending debries into car behind causing damage. Second tire separation on front driver side tire causing damage to steering and brakes.*ak (dot number: ador9j6082 tiresize: lt23585r16)”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 2000-11-30

“First, right rear tire shreaded while driving on freeway breaking off frender, sending debries into car behind causing damage. Second tire separation on front driver side tire causing damage to steering and brakes.*ak( dot number: ador9j6082 tire size: lt23585r16 )”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 2000-11-30

“Had just returned from having electrical problem fixed by the ford agency and having brake system inspected. Brakes failed approximately twenty miles away. The vehicle seemed to be dragging to the left (slightly) stopped once to look at wheel thinking it might be going flat. Could not observe…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · reported 1999-08-04

Defect investigations

Investigation DP89005 Opened 1989-01-26 · closed 1989-08-01

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES

Investigation EA91044 Opened 1991-10-30 · closed 1992-10-30