Owners filed 130 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Tires › Tread/Belt
12
0
0
0
Tires
12
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
1
0
1
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
7
0
3
0
Vehicle Speed Control
5
0
4
1
Suspension › Front
4
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
4
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
4
2
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
4
0
0
0
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
3
0
0
0
4 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.
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
Wheels › Rim
Filed Sep 25, 201497,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WAS CONSTANTLY LEAKING FROM THE TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jul 20, 2012157,000 milesSC
I HAVE A FORD F-350 7.3L TURBO DIESEL. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH., THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED BY HALF. AFTER I PULLED OVER THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE FUEL FILTER, THE FUEL PUMP, AND THE FUEL PICKUP SCREENS CLOGGED WITH RESIDUE FROM THE LINER OF THE FUEL TANKS. *TR
Tires
Filed Oct 7, 201110,000 milesMA
CRACKING SIDEWALLS CAUSING BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASS. SIDE. *TR
Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Feb 27, 201047,000 milesFL
1. BEGAN SMELLING DIESEL FUEL IN CAB. THEN NOTICED DRIPS ON DRIVEWAY. 2. WENT TO SAWGRASS FORD ON DATE BELOW WHERE I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN VALVE, AND IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY AND PART IS ON BACK-ORDER. THEY SAW LEAK IS ALMOST A STREAM ESPECIALLY WITH ENGINE RUNNING. 3. TWO WEEKS AND NO CALL FROM DEALER. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlFire1 injured
Filed Feb 2, 2009202,000 milesOH
ON 1/30/09 I EXPERIENCED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON MY FORD F-350 DUE TO A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I JUST HAPPENED TO WALK OUT TO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, TO SEE A GLOW UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. I OPENED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE, AND BURNING MY HANDS, I COULD SEE THAT THE RESERVOIR WAS MELTED AND THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS WHERE THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 12, 200888,500 milesFL
I HAD THE CMP SENSOR (CAM POSITION SENSOR, F6TZ-12K073-A) REPLACED AT 83,733 MILES AND AGAIN AT 88,500 MILES. THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH FOR 3 SECONDS AND DIES. IT WILL CRANK BUT NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC AND CMP SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 7, 2008123,447 milesFL
THE EXISTING RECALL 07V-553 (CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ON FORD 1997-2003 F-SUPER DUTY, E-SERIES, AND EXCURSION VEHICLES WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES) SEEMS TO BE INCORRECTLY NARROW IN SCOPE. I HAVE A 1996 F-350 WITH THE SAME 7.3L DIESEL ENGINE NOTED IN THE RECALL, AND HAD THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP ON SEPT 21, 2007, AND CAN PROVIDE COMPLETE DOCUMENTED INFORMATION FROM THAT REPAIR. WHY DID FORD NOT INCLUDE F-SERIES TRUCKS THAT USE THE 7.3L ENGINE (SUCH AS THE F-350) IN THIS RECALL? WHY IS IT LIMITED TO 1997 AND NEWER? THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE ON THE ROAD (SUCH AS MINE) THAT HAVE A SIMILAR POTENTIAL TO FAIL. THIS IS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE; THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN (JANUARY 2007). MY PROBLEM WENT ON FOR MORE THAN A YEAR (WITH MOMENTARY POWER LOSSES AND ENGINE STALLS SHORTLY AFTER STARTUP) BEFORE IT PROGRESSED TO SERIOUS DRIVABLE ISSUES THAT WERE FREQUENT ENOUGH THEY COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY THE FORD DEALER. CAMSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE CAUSES THE ENGINE COMPUTER TO MAKE THE ENGINE STALL. UNFORTUNATELY, AT THAT STAGE THE DRIVABLE ISSUES ALSO BECOME DANGEROUS. I AM SEEKING AN EXPANSION OF THIS RECALL TO COVER ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE CAM SENSOR FAILURES, AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSES I PAID THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THIS RECALL. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Feb 1, 2008168,000 milesTX
I HAVE A '96 FORD F350 WITH A 7.3L POWERSTROKE. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AND ON OCCASION, HAD CUT OUT COMPLETELY AND NOT COME RIGHT BACK WHICH LEAVES ME WITH NO POWER BRAKES, OR STEERING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, OR GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I STOPPED AT BANKSTON FORD IN FRISCO, TX TODAY TO ASK IF MY TRUCK WAS ON THE RECALL LIST, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT. THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE KNOWN PROBLEM, UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO PAY $380 FOR THE PART, AND ANOTHER 4HOURS OF LABOR. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND EVEN VERIFIED BY THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT, THIS PART IS A $194 PART, OR A $36 PART. I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK IS THAT $194 SPECIAL ORDER PART. THERE WOULD BE NO REFUNDS IF I ORDERED IT WITH THEM. ALSO, WITH TALKING TO A FRIEND OF MINE THAT IS A MECHANIC AT FORD, THIS IS LESS THAN A 30 MINUTE JOB. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY MY TRUCK IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHEN THIS IS A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel
Filed Jan 31, 200853,396 milesHI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,396. UPDATED 03/04/08.*LJ
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 29, 2007FL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F350. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED BECAUSE THE PART FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Oct 5, 2007140,000 milesWA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-350. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IN JANUARY OF 2006, AFTER THE FIRE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED HER FIRST RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Aug 4, 2007174,400 milesCA
1/07 SQUEAK IN FRONT LEFT WHEEL, TOOK TO SEARS AS BRAKES/BEARINGS UNDER WARRANTY. ENDED UP W/ COMPLETE BRAKE JOB FRONT & REAR. PICKED UP VEHICLE, POOR PEDAL PRESSURE, NO E-BRAKE. TOOK BACK TO SEARS THEY ADJUSTED. IN APRIL HAD REAR BRAKES FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE PULLING HORSE TRAILER. ONLY FRONT BRAKES ENGAGED. TOOK BACK COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP THEY FOUND ONLY PADS REPLACED ON RT REAR NOT ON LEFT. THEY DID COMPLETE BRAKE JOB ON REAR (NEW DRUMS AND PADS) TOOK IN 2 WEEKS LATER STILL NOT CORRECT AND HAD VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ENDED UP WITH RE-SURFACE OF FRONT ROTORS AND NEW PADS. 7/29/07 PULLING HORSE TRAILER REAR ENDED VEHICLE ON 19TH AVE IN SF DUE TO REAR BRAKES NOT ENGAGING AT ALL. ONLY FRONTS ENGAGED. REAR BRAKES NOT WORKING AT ALL. *JB
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed May 14, 2007106,000 milesAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-350. HE STATED THAT HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE ALSO NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN HE OPENED IT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITHOUT CONTACTING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (RECALL #06V286000) WHICH STATED THERE COULD BE SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Sep 5, 2006NC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR RECALL (06V286000) BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD A DIESEL ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THIS WAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT LED TO THE RECALL.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Dec 16, 2005MI
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 7, 200591,773 milesNJ
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED CORROSION ON THE BRAKE FITTINGS. ON AUGUST 7, 2003 THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON MAY 24, 2004 THE REAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE HE IN A PARKING LOT. AGAIN THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE TUBING AND FITTINGS. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005 THE MASTER CYLINDER EXPERIENCED CORROSION AT THE BRAKE FITTINGS, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP DRAINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE LINE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2004 - *NM
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 2005258,000 milesFL
INTERMITTENT SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE. NEARLY RE-ENDED WHEN VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE CAMSHAFT POSOTION SENSOR (CPS) FAILED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. IT'S DANGEROUS. *JB
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Oct 8, 200560,000 milesSC
CRUISE CONTROL RECALL LIST DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FORD F350 TRUCK. MY CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE AT 60,000 MILES. SERVICE PERSONNEL AT BOBBY JONES FORD, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, HAD APPARENTLY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE OF A FLUID LEAK FROM THE SWITCH. AFTER COMPLAINING, THIS VEHICLE HAD OTHER SWITCH FAILURES (TURN SIGNAL AND IGNITION SWITCHES) THESE SWITCHES WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THIS TIME (AT MY EXPENSE OF $20.88 PART AND $40.00 LABOR). THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. *JB
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Apr 6, 2005110,000 milesIL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING CONNECTED TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS BURNT. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND PURCHASED A SWITCH AND INSTALLED IT HIMSELF. CONSUMER EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THIS COULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL DISENGAGING INSTEAD OF ENGAGING. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Mar 24, 2005TX
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. HE THEN APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT BECAME WORSE. RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.*AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
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.