1996 Ford F-350

Routine

Owners filed 130 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.

Not among the Ford F-350 years to avoid. Which Ford F-350 years to avoid →

Most common 1996 Ford F-350 problems

27 of the 130 complaints (21%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires › Tread/Belt12
000
Tires12
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes8
101
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control · throttle and acceleration7
030
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
041
Suspension › Front4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · brakes4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission4
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine4
000
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs3
000

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).

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 16, 2005107,000 milesTX

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO WORK WHEN TRYING TO SET THE SPEED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Feb 3, 2005TX

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE. *JB

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Jan 31, 2005TX

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS STILL UNDETERMINED.*AK

Tires
Filed Jul 20, 200491,000 milesID

BLOW OUT. *LA

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 17, 2004100,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE HE FOUND SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Apr 25, 2004227,000 milesWA

I OWN A 1996 FORD F-350 CREW CAB WITH A 7.3 LITER POWERSTROKE DIESEL. THE WIRING HARNESSON THE INTAKE MANAFOLD TO CONTROLE THE GLOWPLUGS MELTS AND SO DOES THE VALVE COVER GASKET OF WITCH THE WIREING HARNESS PASSES THROUGH IT WITH A PLUG X'S 2 AND THAN THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESSES BURN UP UNDER THE VALVE COVER REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE DISSASEMBLED TO THE POINT OF THE HEAD TO REPLACE THE COMPONENTS. FURTHER MORE ON THE CLUTCH LINKAGE THERE IS A PLASTIC BUSHING THAT DISINTEGRATES QUITE OFTEN UNDER NORMAL USE. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT THE WIREING PROBLEM IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX EVEN YOURSELF. THE CLUTCH LINKAGE IS FAIRLY EASY TO FIX BUT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN IT DOES.*AK

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Dec 4, 2003200,000 milesIL

THE ROOF PANEL IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. NO RUST PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED. *AK THE ROOF PANEL WOULD POP OPEN ON OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ROOF PANEL LOOKED AS IF IT WERE OPENED BY A CAN OPENER AND HAD RUN FROM THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO REAR DOORS. *SCC *JB

Tires
Filed Oct 21, 2003NE

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. AS A RESULT REAR FENDER AND EXHAUST WERE DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 28, 200350,000 milesCA

STEERING BOX FAILURE ON 1996 FORD F-350 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,133"WHEEL BASE, CANADIAN BUILT TRUCK, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsCrash
Filed Jun 22, 200376,000 milesMI

STEPPED ON BRAKE TO RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING ME TO HIT A POST. ON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR WHEELS ROTTED IN THE MIDDLE. ALL OTHER LINES IN THE AREA ARE LIKE NEW. I HAVE OWNED MUCH OLDER VEHICLES WITHOUT HAVING BRAKE LINE PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL IN THESE LINES ARE QUITE INFERIOR AND DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE. I HAD JUST BEEN TOWING MY FIFTH-WHEEL TRAILER THE DAY BEFORE. *NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed May 30, 2003TX

PROBLEMS WITH MICHELIN TIRES, SPILTS ON TIRES. *MR PH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust SystemFire
Filed May 24, 200335,846 milesOR

1996, F-350, CREW CAB, 4X4, WITH 35,000 ORIGINAL MILES WAS TOWING 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER IN MOUNTAINOUS AREA. EXHAUST PIPES CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS NEW AND HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1996 USED, WITH 3,000 MILES ON IT. THE SPARE TIRE WAS ABOUT 3-4 INCHES AWAY FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE HEAT SHIELD. ( NOT TOUCHING). REAR GAS TANK WAS NOT HARMED DUE TO QUICK ACTION ON FIRE EXTINGUISHING. DRIVER WAS UNAWARE OF FIRE UNTIL NOTIFIED BY PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. SPARE TIRE BURNED CLEAR TO THE CORE PRIOR TO BEING REMOVED AFTER FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. *NLM

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 13, 2003CA

NAR 03/13/2003 WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS IT JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE. *CB *JB

Power Train
Filed Jan 21, 2003MI

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT KEEPS OF COMING OFF AND AS A RESULT, THERE IS A LOST OF THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PH

Fuel System, Other › StorageFire
Filed Dec 3, 2002IN

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANKS LEAKEAGE. ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE FOUND OUT THAT BOTH DEISEL FUEL TANKS LEAKING AND ALMOST CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. TS

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jul 18, 2002NV

FRONT HUBS NOT LOCKING IN, CAUSING LOSS OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE STUCK. ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSMISSION WERE GOING IN BUT NO POWER IN FRONT WHEELS. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jun 2, 2002OH

DROVE THIS TRUCK OVER 1000 MILES THIS TRIP AND PARKED IT FOR 2 WEEKS. THEN TO TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR FIRST TIME TO APPLY BRAKES.FOUND BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OFF FRAME, AND HAD MECHANIC INSPECT FOR PROBLEM.FOUND BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS ROTTED THE FULL LENGTH FRONT TO REAR. ALL OTHER LINES(FUEL,ETC) IN THE SAME AREA WERE IN GOOD CONDITION.NEW LINE WAS INSTALLED.. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 28, 2002GA

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND BOTH REAR TIRES EXPLODED. WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. TIRES WERE 16INCH GOODYEAR AQUA TREADS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Dec 31, 2001MD

HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL SHORT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 30, 2001GA

CROSS MEMBER, AT STEERING BOX, BREAKING FROM THE FRAME, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jul 6, 2001MD

ALL FIVE FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TIRES ON 1996, FORD, F350 EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL CRACKING WITH 29842 MILES ON TIRES. THESE TIRES WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK FIRESTONE DEALER STATED TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL SEPARATION, TIRE SIZE P235/85R16 R4S, LOAD RANGE E, DOT UNKNOWN. *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 19, 2001CA

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 10 AT 63-65MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED, WRAPPED AROUND MY REAR AXEL, BENT BRAKE CABLE, TORE FENDER SKIRTS, BENT FENDER SUPPORTS, CHIPPED PAINT, BENT FENDER, TRIM PIECES. TIRE STEEL BELTS ONLY SURFACE TO DRIVE ON, MAKING TRUCK INOPERABLE. DID NOT TURN OVER, BUT HAD I BEEN ON MY USUAL ROUTE THROUGH MOUNTAIN CURVES, WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. CONCERN THAT 16 INCH TIRES ARE NOT BEING LOOKED AT. DO NOT FEEL SAFE. FIRESTONE BLAMING FORD EXPLORER. MY VEHICLE NOT A FORD EXPLORER. IT IS A TIRE DEFECT. WANT RECALL OF 16 INCH TIRES ALSO. FIRESTONE A HAZARD TO EVERY OWNER. I TELL EVERYONE WHO HAS FIRESTONE TIRES TO GET RID OF THEM. MANY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT. YOU MUST HAVE THESE TIRES REPLACED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VNOR 1WW TIRESIZE: LT23585R16)

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jun 18, 2001WA

WE HAVE HAD FOUR INSTANCES ON THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE LUGS ON THE WHEELS, BOTH FRONT AND BACK, HAVE SHEERED OFF. TWICE LEAVING US STRANDED FOR HOURS - INCLUDING A TERRIFYING NIGHT IN THE NEVADA DESERT, WITH OUR CHILDREN, STRANDED UNTIL FOUR IN THE MORNING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 2, 2001TX

VEHICLE STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN. DEALER AND MECHANIC CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/LiningsCrash
Filed Apr 23, 2001SC

ON A RAINY DAY, REAR BRAKE LINING GRABBED ACTUATING THE ABS SYSTEM. AS I HAVE FOUND, THIS PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED IN FORD TSB 9805A24A. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL AS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP. DESCRIBED AS "NORMAL" IN SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 03731. (A NICE WAY TO DESCRIBE A PROBLEM THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO FIX.) THE ABS BRAKES STOPPED PUMPING. THE SYSTEM THEN APPEARED AS THOUGH NO BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE TRUCK WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. EITHER THE BACK BRAKES AND POSSIBLY THE FRONT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL, OR ALL 4 WHEEL WERE LOCKED UP AND THE TRUCK WAS SLIDING. (TIRES WERE ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.) I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. LATER TESTING ON A WET SURFACE REVEALED THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO PUMP THE BRAKES, SOMETHING THAT MANUFACTURERS OF ABS SYSTEMS ADVISE YOU NOT TO DO. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM READING INFORMATION BY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THE VACUUM SUPPLY ON THE SYSTEM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO HANDLE REPEATED OPERATION BY THE ABS SYSTEM. I STILL AM NOT SURE WHAT THE CONDITION OF THE WHEELS WERE AT THE POINT WHEN I HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD, WHETHER THE FRONT WERE ROLLING, OR LOCKED AND WHETHER THE BACK WERE ROLLING OR LOCKED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 10, 2001GA

VEHICLE STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN AND SOMETIMES IT WILL LIGHT THE "WAIT TO START" LIGHT AND YOU MUST WAIT TO MANUALLY RESTART. THIS LEAVES VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 1500 MILES OR SO. REPLACED THE CMP SENSOR TWICE AND NO TROUBLE CODES EXISTS IN COMPUTER.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Mar 10, 2001TX

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 9, 2001TX

WINDOW DISENTEGRATED WITH OUT WARNING ANF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WERE NO CRACKS, CHIPS, OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF DEFECTS IN THIS WINDOW. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN TO THE REMAINING WINDOWS, CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS.

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 25, 2001MI

DELIVERED NEW 22 MAR. 1996. TAKEN IN AT 16768 MILES ON 10-DEC. 96 FOR HARD SHIFTING OF AUTO. TRANS. ANDOIL LEAK FROM FRONT MAIN ENGINE SEAL. WAAS RETURNED TWO WKS. LATER FOR REAR ENGINE SEAL LEAK. MECHANICS REPLACED PARTS AND ADJ. TRANS. ENGINE OIL LEAKS STOPPED, BUT STILL HAD TRANS. SHIFT PROBLEMS. FRONT WHEELS BEGIN TO PULL HARD TO LEFT AFTER BEING TAKEN IN TO DEALER TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED. THEY HAD TO BE FORCED OFF HUB BY TWO MEN. FRONT END ALIGNEMENTS WERE DONE BUT AT 65000 MILES WHEELS STILL PULL TO THE LEFT. FIRESTONE 235/85/16 TIRE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF CRACKS IN BELTS BETWEEN TREAD. COST WAS PRORATED. TAKEN IN 02 APR. 97. STILL HAVING SHIFT PROBLEMS WITH TRANS. OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE OIL PAN AND PUMP GASKET. 30MAY 97 TAKEN IN FOR BOTH HEADLIGHT FAILURE. TRANS STILL HARD TO SHIFT. MECHANICS UNABLE TODETERMINE PROBLEM. IN AUG. 2000 TRUCK WAS IN AGAIN FOR SHIFT PROBLEMS AND TRANS SLIPPING. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING IN GEORGIA, PULLING A 36FT. FIFTHWHEEL WHEN TRANS. HAD A HARD TIME DOWNSHIFTING. THE TRANS. WAS LOCKED OUT OF OVERDRIVE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH. AND STARTED UP A HILL WHEN THE TRANS. WOULDN'T DOWN SHIFT. THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH. IN LESS THAN THAN 60 SECONDS, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD PROBLEMS PULLIN THE REST OF THE WAY TO MICHIGAN. THIS WAS LATE IN THE EVENING WHEN SHOPS ARE CLOSED. BY THIS TIME TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRENTY BUT FORD MTR. CO. AND THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PAY ALL BUT 75.00 OF THE REPAIRS. THE TRANS. SHFTS SMOOTHER NOW BUT IT'S UPSHIFT HARD ON TWO

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 10, 2001VA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 130, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201491010Routine
201376140Routine
2012149420Routine
2011136430Routine
20100100Routine
200928300Routine
2008131990Routine
200736510Routine
2006145641Fatalities reported
2005114530Routine
2004159352Fatalities reported
200390380Routine
2002116372Fatalities reported
20011606111Fatalities reported
2000304590Above average
19994131393Fatalities reported
199812102Fatalities reported
19971554110Routine
1996 — this page1304150Routine
19951343132Fatalities reported
199495760Routine
1993101950Routine
199252751Fatalities reported
199131740Routine
199039731Fatalities reported

Compare every F-350 year →

Reading this record

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.