1986 Ford E-150 Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1986 Ford E-150. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
STEERING:LINKAGES
1
TIRES
1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1
Total complaints12

What owners report

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

“During texas trip, 1 tire went flat. Upon inspection and replacement, it was determined that the cause was tread separation. Following summer, other tires were showing similar breakdown (notelably deep cracks in the sidewalls). I went back to the tire dealer that had sold me the firestones and…”

TIRES:TREAD/BELT · reported 1997-12-22

“Right rear wheel fell off, damaging vehicle.”

TIRES · reported 1997-07-02

“Wiring harnesses burnt out.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · reported 1996-08-01

“Wiring harnesses burnt out.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · reported 1996-08-01

“Ignition switch shorted, causing fire, burning wiring harness under the hood.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · reported 1996-06-26

“Ignition switch shorted, causing fire, burning wiring harness under the hood.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · reported 1996-06-26

“After parking car, noticed white smoking coming from the front end of the car, then noticed fire, possibile electrical short. *ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · reported 1995-10-04

“After parking car, noticed white smoking coming from the front end of the car, then noticed fire, possibile electrical short. *ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · reported 1995-10-04

Defect investigations

Investigation EA87002 Opened 1986-11-04 · closed 1987-04-29

FILLER NECK SPURT

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FORD HAS SUPPLIED INFORMATION REQUESTED CONCERNING VEHICLE POPULATIONAND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.ANALYSIS:THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THEVEHICLES, USUALLY WHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINE IDLING.THIS HEATCAUSES THE FUEL TO VAPORIZE IN THE…

Investigation EA87019 Opened 1987-04-30 · closed 1987-10-23

FUEL EXPULSION

SYNOPSIS: UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, FUEL IS EXPELLED FROM THEFUEL FILLER PIPE, WHEN THE FILLER CAP IS REMOVED. IT HAS BEEN REPORTEDTHAT VEHICLE FIRES AND PERSONAL INJURIES HAVE RESULTED. THE PROBLEMAPPEARS TO BE ONE OF EXCESSIVE HEAT COLLECTING UNDER THE VEHICLES, USUALLYWHILE STATIONARY WITH THE ENGINES…

Investigation PE87017 Opened 1987-01-28 · closed 1987-05-26

FUEL LEAKS/FIRES

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUTTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.LEAKS FROM FUEL LINES MAY ALSO BE ACONTRIBUTING CAUSE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT…

Investigation PE88054 Opened 1988-05-16 · closed 1989-03-01

FUEL TANK OVERPRESSURIZATI

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Ford E-150 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.