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1988 Ford F-150 4.9L V6 4x4 5MT

All Ford F-150 trims (1987–1991) → All Ford F-150 generations →
1988 Ford F-150 – front Unverified
Photo: 1987 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat in White, Front Left, 08-06-202 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the eighth generation (1987) (1987–1991); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1987 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat in White, Front Left, 08-06-202 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 1989 Ford F150 XLT Lariat 4x2 Regular Cab in Light Chestnut, front left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 1991 Ford F-150 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 1987 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat in White, Rear Left, 08-06-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 1990 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat 4x2 regular cab 8' Styleside, rear left, 06-24-2024 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1988 Ford F-150 4.9L V6 4x4 5MT is a 4.9-liter V6 pickup truck with a 5-speed manual and four-wheel drive. It is rated at 15 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 17 mpg highway (15 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypePickup
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type4.9L V6
Displacement4.9 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFour-wheel drive (4x4)
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway17 MPG
Combined15 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford F150. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Apr 25, 1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA campaign 96V071000

Sep 2, 1988 · VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.

Consequence: A FRACTURED WINDOW MAY CONTAIN FRAGMENTS THAT ARE LARGERTHAN THE 425 GRAMS ALLOWED.

Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT WINDOW PANELS.

NHTSA campaign 88V146000

141 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Ford F150

Owner Complaints

141 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford F150 (3 mention a crash, 47 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System49
Fuel System27
Gasoline26
Structure10
Engine And Engine Cooling9
Seat Belts9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 31, 2011 · Electrical System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START AND WOULD SPORADICALLY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEIR RECORDS ONLY WENT…”
Dec 14, 2010 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING…”
Feb 14, 2008 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING. HE DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE SAME FAILURE FOR THE 1989 MODEL. THE…”
Jun 27, 2005 · Suspension
“THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVES' SIDE AROUND THE GEAR BOX AND IN ANOTHER AREA WHICH LEAVES IT VERY UNSTABLE. THE TIRE IS WOBBLY, DODGES AND DARTS AROUND ON THE ROAD. *AK ALL OF THE FRONT…”
Aug 18, 2004 · Electrical System
“VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 FORD F150. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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