- The problem
- Water separator canister may be punctured in a collision. Crash tests in a 30 mph frontal collision revealed fuel leakage exceeding the maximum permitted by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "Fuel system integrity".
- The fix
- A protective shield for the canister will be installed without charge.
Vehicle safety record
1983 Ford F350 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1983 Ford F350 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in May 1984 for the tank assembly.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical F350 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1983 Ford F350 recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- In a collision, bolts may damage or pierce a fuel line, causing fuel spillage. Affected vehicles may not be capable of meeting the minimum fuel leakage requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 301, "fuel system integrity".
- The fix
- The dealer will replace the existing 2.18 Inch bolts in the left front fender apron with one inch long bolts at no charge.
- The problem
- The parking gear may not engage, even though the gear shift lever is placed in the "park" position. This occurs if the linkage inside the transmission that actuates the park gear was improperly manufactured. A pin that retains components on a linkage (actuating) rod could break and the linkage may not engage the parking gear.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl actuating rod assembly.
- The problem
- Fuel system on the suspect vehicles may not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "Fuel system integrity". These vehicles were manufactured without projectile fuel tank shields.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and install a protective fuel tank shield without charge to owner.
- The problem
- Some of the involved vehicles may have a diode in the electrical fuel pump circuit that may short during engine starting due to inadequate capacity to withstand current draw. A short circuit would result in normal engine starting, but the pump will not continue to supply the engine with fuel.
- The fix
- The dealer will replace defective element in the electrical fuel pump circuit with a new relay feed wiring assembly which contains a larger capacity diode, free of charge.
- The problem
- The springs that assist in raising the hood may detach from the hood without warning. The hood can be in any position when this occurs.
- The fix
- The dealer will replace the hood lift assist spring assemblies with revised parts.
- The problem
- On certain vehicles, the lock wedges used to secure the axle bearing nuts to the axle housing may fall out of position, allowing the nut to loosen. The nut on the left side may fall off, allowing movement of the axle shaft.
- The fix
- The dealer will replace defective lock wedges with an improved version. Wheel bearings will be inspected and adjusted or replaced, if necessary.
What owners say
Be the first F350 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1983 Ford F350 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford F350: every year compared
All F350 years1983 Ford F350 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Ford F350 | 0 | 7 | F | |
| 1983 Ford Bronco | 4 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1983 Ford F350
Does the 1983 Ford F350 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1983 Ford F350: tank assembly (May 1984); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (May 1983); automatic transmission (March 1983); underbody shields (December 1982) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1983 Ford F350 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1983 Ford F350 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 22 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford F350 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1983 Ford F350 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data