1981 Ford F880 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO CHASSIS TUBE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHAFING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. CONTINUED CHAFING MAY RESULT IN TUBE OR HOSE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A BRAKE LINE ATTACHING CLIP AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 F880.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V120000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO CHASSIS TUBE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHAFING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. CONTINUED CHAFING MAY RESULT IN TUBE OR HOSE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A BRAKE LINE ATTACHING CLIP AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BRAKE TUBE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WOULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN ORLOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLAND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY BE ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM BY A DROP IN BRAKE PEDALHEIGHT DURING APPLICATION. ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON THEINSTRUMENT PANEL MAY ALSO ALERT DRIVER TO THE SITUATION.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT END CLAMP ON THE HAND THROTTLE ACTUATING CABLE. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, PERTAINING TO THE CLAMP-TO-THROTTLE CABLE ORIENTATION AND DISTANCES OF THE CABLE TO GOVERNOR SHAFT, THE THROTTLE CABLE END CLAMP MAY INTERFERE WITH THE OUTBOARD ACCELERATOR.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT HAND THROTTLE CLAMP FOR INTERFERENCE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE CLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 F880.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V119000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Summary: THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT END CLAMP ON THE HAND THROTTLE ACTUATING CABLE. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, PERTAINING TO THE CLAMP-TO-THROTTLE CABLE ORIENTATION AND DISTANCES OF THE CABLE TO GOVERNOR SHAFT, THE THROTTLE CABLE END CLAMP MAY INTERFERE WITH THE OUTBOARD ACCELERATOR.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT HAND THROTTLE CLAMP FOR INTERFERENCE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE CLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS AND BUSES EQUIPPED WITH 8.2 LITER DIESEL ENGINESAND OPTIONAL HAND THROTTLE CONTROLS.SYSTEM: FUEL; HAND THROTTLE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF SUCH INTERFERENCE OCCURS, THE THROTTLE MAY NOTRETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION UPON RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, POSSIBLYCAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Latches / locks (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
01/21/2003 · Latches / locks
BOTH DOOR LATCHES HAVE FALLEN OFF. CONSUMER HAS TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF VEHICLE AND FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH