1988 Ford F250

US · Pickup · Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD

The 1988 Ford F250 is listed in the US market as a pickup with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.

Engine: Varies by configuration: 4.9L 6-cylinder (FFS), 5.0L 8-cylinder (FFS), 5.8L 8-cylinder (FFS)
Transmission: Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
Fuel: Gasoline
Economy: 11 mpg (21.4 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) combined

Generic outline for this body type. An illustration, not a photograph.

Specifications at a Glance

Key Figures

Units:

Engine / Powertrain

4.9L 6-cylinder (FFS), 5.0L 8-cylinder (FFS), 5.8L 8-cylinder (FFS)

Combined Economy

11 mpg (21.4 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) combined

Drivetrain

RWD, AWD

Transmission

Automatic, Manual

Market: US·Switch units to convert the figures shown.

Compare 1988 Ford F250 ↗

Engine

Engine
Specification	Value	Source
Engine	Varies by configuration: 4.9L 6-cylinder (FFS), 5.0L 8-cylinder (FFS), 5.8L 8-cylinder (FFS)
Displacement	4.9 L to 5.8 L
Cylinders	6 to 8
Fuel type	Gasoline	EPA fueleconomy.gov

Transmission and drivetrain

Transmission and drivetrain
Specification	Value	Source
Transmission	Varies by configuration: Automatic, Manual
Gears	3 to 5
Drivetrain	Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD

Fuel economy and range

Fuel economy and range
Specification	Value	Source
Combined	11 mpg (21.4 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km)	EPA fueleconomy.gov
City	10 mpg (23.5 L/100 km) to 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km)
Highway	13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km) to 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km)

Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.

Trims and configurations

12 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 7, 2026.

96V071000: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Reported April 25, 1996. View on NHTSA
92V026000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
Reported March 3, 1992. View on NHTSA
88V146000: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
SLIDING REAR WINDOW MAY CONTAIN GLAZING PANELS WHICH DO NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 205.
Remedy: REPLACE SUSPECT WINDOW PANELS.
Reported September 2, 1988. View on NHTSA

Data sources

EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 21, 2026 · US Government public data
NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 21, 2026 · US Government public data

Source checked: October 21, 2026

Data verified: October 22, 2026

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

Compare

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Frequently asked questions

What engine does the 1988 Ford F250 have?

Varies by configuration: 4.9L 6-cylinder ((FFS)), 5.0L 8-cylinder ((FFS)), 5.8L 8-cylinder ((FFS)). Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.

What is the fuel economy of the 1988 Ford F250?

Combined fuel economy is 11 mpg (21.4 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.

Is the 1988 Ford F250 front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?

Drivetrain: Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD.

Are there recalls for the 1988 Ford F250?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 7, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.