Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1986 Ford F-150 sits mid-pack among F-150 years: 78 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 557, with a single recall and 4 closed investigations.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (31% of the total).
78
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
4
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
20
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 24 | 31% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 14 | 18% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 10 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 6 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 3% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO CONTROL MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR MALFUNCTIONING, FUEL PUMPED INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, PUT FLAMES OUT W/EXTINGUISHER. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED IN REARVIEW MIRROR FLAMES WERE COMING UP BETWEEN CAB AND BED; EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS; EXACT CAUSE OF FIRE UNKOWN. *AK”
“THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED AN UNKNOWN PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SITTING ALONE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND INVESTIGATED. HOWEVER, A REPORT WAS NOT FINISHED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE9020. *AK”
“INSIDE HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR KEEPS BREAKING OFF. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED HANDLE 3 TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS BREAKING OFF. *AK”
“I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER FOUR TIMES, ONCE WITH A REBUILT CYLINDER AND THREE TIMES WITH NEW CYLINDERS. IT IS BECOMING A HAZARD THAT RECURRS EVERY YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS, AND IS ALSO BECOMING EXPENSIVE. THE LAST INSTANCE COST…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 78 NHTSA complaints, below the typical F-150 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), fuel system (14 complaints), engine (10 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1986 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-150 years to avoid are 2013, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2004, 2015, 2014, 2017, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2010, 2002, 1994, 2020. The cleanest record among F-150 years belongs to 1976.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.