1986 Ford F250 problems & reliability
38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Ford F250. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 13 | 34% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 13% |
| Tires | 5 | 13% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 11% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 8% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 5% |
| Power Train | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Dec 24, 2010
“Belt of tire is separating (tire feels out of balance, bulge is now evident in tread, 8/32's of original 15/32's of tread remain). This is second tire in set of four to separate (see odi report # 10345185 for first). *tr”
Tires · filed Jul 25, 2010
“Belt of tire is separating (tire feels out of balance, bulge is now evident in tread, 7/32's of original 15/32's of tread remain). This is third tire in set of four to separate (see odi reports #10345185 & #10345187 for first & second). *tr”
Tires · filed Jul 25, 2010
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILS
Preliminary Evaluation PE94065 · opened Aug 19, 1994 · closed Dec 28, 1994
- F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES
Defect Petition DP89005 · opened Jan 26, 1989 · closed Aug 1, 1989
- FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE89020 · opened Dec 7, 1988 · closed Jun 1, 1989
- FUEL LEAKS/FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE87017 · opened Jan 28, 1987 · closed May 26, 1987
Technical service bulletins
17 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1986 Ford F250. The 10 most recent:
Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance. *yc
9852 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 13, 1998
Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt
9864 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 30, 1998
Front caliper piston boots damaged. *yc
985A38 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998
Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull. *yc
985A29 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998
A no start or hard start condition may occur on some vehicles due to the glow plug control system. *yc
98030298420 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 1998
Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd
97511 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 3, 1997
Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips. *jd
9747 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 17, 1997
Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement. *jd
97310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 3, 1997
Diagnostic guides for out-of-warranty vehicles to be used as a master copy - diagnostic guides no longer available from adistra. *tw
97215 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 20, 1997
Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw
962612 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 16, 1996
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1986 Ford F250 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1986 Ford F250?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.