Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Ford B700. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford B700,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1967–1997 with 61 recall campaigns and 10 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1993 (5), 1973 (5), and 1981 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1989 (3), 1992 (2), and 1997 (1).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Steering and suspension, and Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Steering:rack and pinion, Parking brake:driveline:hydraulic:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Official notices (evidence):
74V031000
· Fuel system, gasoline: Carburetor system
Powertrain
1 campaign · Years: 1972–1973
These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Official notices (evidence):
72V317000
· Parking brake: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Ford B700 in NHTSA complaint data are
Steering:rack and pinion, Parking brake:driveline:hydraulic:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1997
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring.
1995
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1994
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1993
5
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1992
3
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering:rack and pinion.
1991
2
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines.
1990
2
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering:rack and pinion.
1989
2
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering:rack and pinion, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1988
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1987
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Parking brake:driveline:hydraulic:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1986
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1984
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Parking brake:driveline:hydraulic:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1983
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1982
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1981
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1976
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1974
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1973
5
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1972
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1971
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1970
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1969
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1968
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1967
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Service brakes
, Electrical system
and Steering
Show recall evidence by year
1995
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A connector in the wiring where the tilt hood mounted lamps attach to the vehicle wiring harness was built without sealing plugs. Moisture, road salt or other contaminants can enter the connection resulting in crossed circuits, shorts or corrosion of the wiring of the connector.
Vehicle speed control:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The hand throttle cable can wear the brass swivel block on the governor lever through which it passes.
1994
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A connector in the wiring where the tilt hood mounted lamps attach to the vehicle wiring harness was built without sealing plugs. Moisture, road salt or other contaminants can enter the connection resulting in crossed circuits, shorts or corrosion of the wiring of the connector.
Vehicle speed control:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Vehicle speed control: Springs:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: As a result of inherent vibration in these engines, the throttle return springs can fracture.
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
Vehicle speed control:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The hand throttle cable can wear the brass swivel block on the governor lever through which it passes.
1992
Vehicle speed control: Springs:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: As a result of inherent vibration in these engines, the throttle return springs can fracture.
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
1991
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
1990
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
1989
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
1988
Steering: Gear box (other than rack and pinion):
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Because of a machining inconsistency, there is a high piston-to-ball contact angle in the steering gear worm drive. This contact causes the balls to try to rotate on two different rolling radii at two different speeds, causing the ball to damage the contact surfaces of the piston and spindle duri
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gears have an improperly machined snap ring groove. This can cause a fracture of the snap ring with subsequent damage to the recirculating ball guide tube. Also, the o-ring seal in vehicles built after february 1988 does not meet specifications and is inadequate, causing interior lea
1987
Electrical system: 12V/24v/48v battery:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: System: electrical system; battery. Vehicle description: medium duty school bus chassis equipped with hydraulic brakes, tilt hoods, 5.9L, 6.6L or 7.6L diesel engines or 6.1L or 7.0L gasoline engines and originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusett
1986
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Buses may have been built with an incorrect type of steel tubing in the intermediate rear service brake lines which may leak or break during application of the brakes. Consequence of defect: if a brake line leaked, rear brakes could quit working, increasing stopping distance, which could result i
1984
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles were produced with hydraulic brake booster supply hoses that are located too close to the engine exhaust manifold and may chafe and develop heat damage during vehicle operation. Chafing and heat induced deterioration of a hose due to direct contact with the manifold may caus
1983
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 ac
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On the affected vehicles, the wiring assembly to the floor mounted headlamp dimmer switch may be too tight; should wires disconnect, the headlights will not operate.
1982
Vehicle speed control: Linkages:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain tolerance conditions, the accelerator rod may come into contact with the accelerator return spring bracket, creating the possibility of a momentary delay in the return of the accelerator linkage to the idle position. This condition is more likely to occur at 3/4 throttle because cle
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 ac
1981
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The primary circuit connection, which provides primary electrical power to the engine, could deteriorate due to high current draw produced by builder-installed equipment.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles were assembled with the left front brake tube retaining clip missing. The absence of a retaining clip may allow the brake tube to rub against the shock absorber, causing wear on the tube and, eventually, loss of brake fluid.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The master cylinder to chasis brake tube and hose assemblies may have been moved from their intended position, which could allow chafing against underbody components. Chafing promotes wear of the brake tube and hose assembly and could cause a loss of brake fluid.
Vehicle speed control: Cables:
Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 ac
1980
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The primary circuit connection, which provides primary electrical power to the engine, could deteriorate due to high current draw produced by builder-installed equipment.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The master cylinder to chasis brake tube and hose assemblies may have been moved from their intended position, which could allow chafing against underbody components. Chafing promotes wear of the brake tube and hose assembly and could cause a loss of brake fluid.
1979
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The air brake lines may be routed too close to the exhaust muffler. Because the air brake lines are made of nylon material, heat from the exhaust muffler can weaken the brake line tubes, possibly causing them to rupture. Tube rupture could result in loss of air in the secondary air brake system.
1978
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fluid return hose installed between the power steering reservoir and pump is susceptible to deterioration and "kinking". Deterioration of the hose permits particles to enter the power steering fluid system restricting flow. Both hose deterioration and kinking may result in loss of power steer
1976
Suspension: U-bolt, leaf spring to axle:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured front spring u-bolts used to secure the front axle assembly to the spring. The four u-bolts may experience cracks and could ultimately break. Should two u-bolts on the same side of the vehicle break, the front axle would n
1975
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Fuel system, gasoline: Carburetor system:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Parking brake: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the parking brake area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Check valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Parking brake: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the parking brake area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Check valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, air: Check valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
