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1983 Ford F-350: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1983 Ford F-350, most recently filed May 1984. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 7campaigns 2 fuel system · 2 power train · 2 structure Source: NHTSA Complaints 1filed Owner reports, 1981–1991 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1983 Ford F-350. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 84V065000 Filed May 22, 1984

FUEL:FUEL SEPARATOR (8/82)

Fuel system, diesel · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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".
Remedy
A PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE CANISTER WILL BE INSTALLED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported36,400 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 84V065000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 83V047000 Filed May 2, 1983

FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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".
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING 2.18 INCH BOLTS IN THE LEFT FRONT FENDER APRON WITH ONE INCH LONG BOLTS AT NO CHARGE.
Repair progress not yet reported1,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 83V047000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 83V028000 Filed Mar 7, 1983

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported98,162 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 83V028000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V124000 Filed Dec 13, 1982

FUEL:FUEL PUMP

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported650 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V124000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V127000 Filed Dec 13, 1982

STRUCTURE:SHIELDS:PROTECTORS:LINES:TUBING

Structure · frame and members · underbody shields
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A PROTECTIVE FUEL TANK SHIELD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Repair progress not yet reported67 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V127000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V104000 Filed Oct 26, 1982

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Power train · axle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE LOCK WEDGES WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION. WHEEL BEARINGS WILL BE INSPECTED AND ADJUSTED OR REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
Repair progress not yet reported74,985 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V104000
Listed for 1983 Ford F-350. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V105000 Filed Oct 26, 1982

STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Structure · body · hood · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LIFT ASSIST SPRING ASSEMBLIES WITH REVISED PARTS.
Repair progress not yet reported600 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 82V105000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which F-350 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford F-350All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The tires is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1983 Ford F-350, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1983 compares with other F-350 years

Best and worst F-350 years →
2 1 2 4 14 8 29 42 39 31
1981198319841985198619871988198919901991
This year (1983)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1983 F-350 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-350 years

Where to next

Which F-350 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1984 Ford F-350 report2 complaints · 3 campaigns →1981 Ford F-350 report2 complaints · 4 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1983 Ford F-350 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1983 Ford F-350 have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 84V065000 (fuel system), 83V047000 (fuel system), 83V028000 (power train), 82V124000 (fuel pump), 82V127000 (structure), 82V104000 (power train), 82V105000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1983 Ford F-350 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Tires (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1983 F-350 compare with other years?

Among the 1981–1991 Ford F-350 model years at least five years old, the 1983 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1989 the most (42). The 1983 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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