FORD F350 · model year

1988 FORD F350

34 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1988FORDF350 carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 F350 is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 4 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4) and electrical system:ignition (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1988 F350, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

34
Complaints
2
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

34 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recent Complaints

20060125SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

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% . *AK

Mileage: 150,000

20060125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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% . *AK

Mileage: 150,000

20020205FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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 INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH SHORTS AND FIRES. CAN YOU IMAGINE IN I WAS HOOKED TO MY FIFTH WHEEL AND OUT IN THE DESERT, WITCH I AM ALOT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN HUGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT I CAN'T BELIEVE WASNT ATTENDED TO.*AK

20010529FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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

20010409FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE, RENDERING ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INOPERABLE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

20001213TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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 )

20001204TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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)

20001109CrashTIRES:TREAD/BELT

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.*AK (DOT NUMBER: H20RYD3E TIRESIZE: 235/85R16)

20000918SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINEERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK *TR

20000914CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SLOW RPM BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO 1 INCH FROM FLOOR,DEALER INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE PARTS,STILL HAD PROBLEM,DEALER CALLED FORD ENGINERS AND WAS TOLD TRUCK IS OK IF PEDAL DON'T GO THE LAST INCH FROM FLOORBOARD-FORD CALLED THIS "BRAKE PEDAL STEP THROUGH'.OWNER (W.G.STANG INC. OF HAMILTON,OH-WILBUR STANG)WROTE FORD A LETTER AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS FINE IF PEDAL DIDN'T TOUCH FLOORBOARD! BULL ?!@#$%!!!! *AK *RM

20000403STRUCTURE

WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED FIRE WALL FLEKES AND CAUSES CLUTH NOT TO ENGAGE, PROBLEM IS BECAUSE OF IMPROPER WELD ON FIREWALL TO SUPPORT CLUTH WHEN DEPRESSED TO ENGAGE

19991017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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 ANYTHING WRONG. ABOUT FIVE MILES FURTHER ALONG WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BY DOWNSHIFTING AND THE PARKING BRAKE BROUGHT VEHICLE TO STOP. FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT PLACE AS I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE (JUST AFTER PASSING A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION). *AK

19990924STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

VERY BAD SHIMMY IN FRONT END SUSPENSION

19990811FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

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. *AK

19990511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 96V017 . AFTER A WEEK THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE MOTOR MELTED. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE DELAER AND MANUFACTURER. %AK

19990201FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.

19980805POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER CRACKED CAUSING SEPARATION FROM THE DASH PANEL, RESULTED IN LEAKAGE.

19980624FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 96V-07100 AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 95S28 REGARDING IGNITION SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM DUE TO OWNER WAITING TOO LONG , PAST DUE DATE, TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS BEFORE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

19970624STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED VERY HARD IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DUE TO THE CRACKING OF THE FIREWALL. OWNER HAS INSTALLED A MINOR REPAIR BRACKET. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THERE IS A MAJOR REPAIR KIT. *AK

19970424FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.

Compare 1988FORDF350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1988 FORD F350 have?
The 1988 FORD F350 has 34 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 FORD F350?
The most-complained component for the 1988 FORD F350 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1988 FORD F350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.