Owners filed 176 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 5 times.
When it fails
126881126,881 milesMedian miles at failure
48 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000–200,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Tires
16
1
0
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
15
2
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
9
0
7
0
Suspension › Front
7
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
7
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
6
0
6
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
2
0
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
5
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
5
0
2
0
Steering
4
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control06V286000
Filed Aug 1, 20061,200,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Vehicle Speed Control05V388000
Filed Sep 7, 20054,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk. A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy. BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
Equipment › Other › Labels96V161000
Filed Aug 29, 1996134,770 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Risk. INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
Structure › Frame and Members96V146000
Filed Aug 1, 1996200 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE CROSSMEMBER FRAME GUSSETS WERE INSTALLED WITH UNDERSIZED THREADED FASTENERS FOLLOWING A BREAKDOWN OF THE PRODUCTION RIVET GUN THAT IS GENERALLY USED. THIS GUSSET IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE REAR STRAP OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK.
Risk. THE SUBJECT FASTENERS CAN SEPARATE CAUSING IN THE REAR STRAP OF THE AFFECTED FUEL TANK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED. A LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED REAR STRAP ALLOWS THE FUEL TANK TO POSSIBLY CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER GUSSET FASTENERS WITH THE SPECIFIED ALTERNATIVE FASTENERS (BOLTS).
What owners reported
Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Sep 9, 2023WA
Cruise control switch began smoking, disconnected it and took it to Awesome Ford of Chehalis, WA for recall service sometime in June or July. Service tech found that brake fluid had wicked its way up electrical harness into cruise control servo, necessitating replacement in order to complete recall service. FoMoCo has been unable/unwilling to replace cruise control servo and is instead requiring that I pull one from a wrecking yard in order to complete recall service.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 16, 2022CA
A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CAUSES A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO THE SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAPACITY OF THE SECOND TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE. ABOUT 5 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILLED OUT OF FILL TUBE.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 15, 201917,068 milesAZ
FUEL RUNNING OUT FOUNT TANK IN DRIVEWAY WITH SELECTOR ON REAR TANK
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 21, 2017125,000 milesWA
EXCESS FUEL FROM REAR TANK IS RETURNED TO FRONT TANK CAUSING FUEL OVERFILL AND FUEL LEAK.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 23, 2016231,000 milesAZ
FRONT FUEL TANK STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE RUNS USING REAR FUEL TANK. IF I TAKE OFF THE FRONT TANK FUEL CAP, GAS POURS OUT SOMETIMES SPRAYS ( ABOUT 8 OUNCES OR SO) . FRONT FUEL TANK SEEMS TO BECOME PRESSURIZED. THIS CAN HAPPEN EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE IT ( IF YOU REMOVE THE FRONT CAP). IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DID SOME SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON. BIG FIRE HAZARD.
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 19, 2015185,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRES, SIZE: 265/75R16 (NA). WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 21, 2015170,000 milesTX
FUEL SPILLS FROM REAR TANK WHEN FUELING FRONT TANK. ENGINE SPUTTERS AND QUITS WHILE RUNNING DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE FAILURE..
Steering
Filed Dec 25, 2014300,000 milesNM
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT BUT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM ON THE STEERING NOT RETURNING AFTER A TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING IN THE TOP OF THE COLUMN IS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AT LEAST 20 OF THESE FOR THIS COMPLAINT AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEN BREAKING IS A HYDROBOOST PROBLEM NOT A STEERING PROBLEM. FORD NEED TO RESEARCH THIS AND CORRECT IT BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH BECAUSE OF IT. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 20, 2014MI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHO STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD FROM A WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seats
Filed May 23, 2014110,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS A LICENSED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT UPRIGHT WERE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Apr 21, 2014200,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REPLACING THE GLOW PLUGS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER'S LEGAL TEAM, WHO ADVISED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 27, 2013150,000 milesOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS THE CULPRIT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 22, 201396,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER, WHICH HELD THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V146000 (STRUCTURE) THAT BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR
Tires
Filed Oct 19, 2012126,881 milesTN
TWO OUT OF FOUR KUMHO TIRES HAVE FAILED WITH A THIRD ONE ON ADVISEMENT IN POOR CONDITION. ONE TIRE SEPARATED IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY VELOCITY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, BODY AND FUEL SYSTEM. VERBALLY AND IN WRITING I ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN. I HAVE MAINTENANCE LOGS, RECEIPTS, PICTURES, ESTIMATES AND ALL EMAIL CORRESPONDENCES FOR YOUR REVIEW. *TR ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, UPON A VISUAL INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS GETTING READY TO SEPARATE. SO, HE REPLACED IT WITH ONLY 15, 979 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH 22,642.6 MILES ON THE TIRE, THE APPROXIMATE TREAD WAS 7/32. UPDATED IVOQ 11/19/12
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 26, 2011183,628 milesAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC BURNING WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BURNED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. AS A RESULT, THE CRUISE CONTROL LINES AND THE BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,628 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
Steering
Filed May 4, 201177,600 milesPA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2011263,000 milesOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING GARAGE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING IT TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A WEAK STEERING COLUMN WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 263,000.
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 201080,280 milesNC
1996 FORD, F250, 7.3 LITER DIESEL: HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AT CONNECTION TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS DUE TO FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT CONNECTS THE TUBING TO THE CONNECTING NUT/FITTING. REPLACED WITH A FABRICATED HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENTS. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Nov 15, 2010158,000 milesMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEXT TO THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN THE ENTIRE GARAGE AND DID PARTIAL FIRE DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING FIRES FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED SOMEONE COULD HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE DUE TO THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 10, 2009210,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS MAKING REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND BURNED THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. FORDS LEGAL DEPARTMENT SENT A LETTER DENYING RESPONSIBILITY , BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Aug 1, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.