Complaints
42
Crashes
0
Fires
19
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Ford F-250 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#16 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Fires:5
#25 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:5
#35 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:377,805 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Ford F-250.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 6 | — | 5 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | 5 | — | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 377,805 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
377,805
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Ford F-250. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford F-250 Years
1986 Ford F-250 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Ford F-250 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Ford F-250 has 42 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition:Switch with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Ford F-250?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (6 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (5 complaints); Tire Defects (5 complaints, avg 377,805 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1986 Ford F-250?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 377,805 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 1986 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Ford F-250 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Ford F-250?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford F-250 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Ford F-250
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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