Summary
The Ford F-800 has 7 recalls spanning the 1979-1998 production run, with the most serious recent issue affecting 1998 models where front wheel bearing nuts can work loose and allow a front wheel to separate from the vehicle while driving.
The 1983 model year has a steering defect where missing front spring-to-axle spacers can allow a drag link ball joint to separate under hard jounce conditions, causing total loss of steering. On 1980 models, the brake master cylinder hose and tube assemblies run in a position where they can chafe against surrounding components during normal use, wearing through and leaking brake fluid in a way that can reduce or eliminate service braking depending on whether the vehicle has a single or split hydraulic brake circuit. The 1979 model year, which used gasoline engines with air brake systems, has an exhaust muffler that radiates enough heat to rupture nearby air brake tubing, cutting supply air to the secondary brake circuit and reducing braking effectiveness by half. Going back to the compliance-related recalls, 1995 models were built without the required anti-lock brake warning lamp, and 1990 models equipped with liquid petroleum gas engines built for the Canadian market were fitted with fuel hoses that do not meet Canadian fuel system integrity standards, along with incorrect emissions vacuum control components.
