Owners filed 116 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06600066,000 milesMedian miles at failure
68 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Tires
12
1
0
0
Steering
6
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
6
0
0
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
5
0
0
0
Wheels
4
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
4
1
0
0
Structure › Body
4
0
0
0
Seat Belts
4
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
4
1
1
2
Electrical System
4
1
1
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights11V352000
Filed Jul 13, 201126,715 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Equipment › Electrical07E066000
Filed Aug 28, 2007175 vehiclesCequent Electrical Products
Defect. CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Risk. IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy. ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
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)
We were just driving when the truck started smoking and the brakes wouldn’t work. After a few minutes the truck completely caught on fire.
Structure › Body
Filed Jun 23, 2025PA
The frame at the leaf spring hangars has cracked apart at only 131,000 miles on the truck. This issue is becoming more and more common over the years it seems and comparable age trucks from other manufacturers are having this issue for the same age.
Tires
Filed Mar 21, 2024UT
[XXX] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the second of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Tires
Filed Mar 21, 2024UT
[XXX] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the third of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Structure › Body
Filed Mar 21, 2023CA
There has been intense rust and corrosion in the roof seams and welds. This has led to water leaks and damage to the interior of the vehicle. The integrity of the roof has been compromised, and I am concerned about the possibility of roof crush should there be an accident. Not to mention the mold, rot and damage to the interior and electrical systems I have already suffered due to the defect. On February 3, 2023, I contacted the Ford Motors helpline and spoke to [XXX] (direct phone # [XXX] ext [XXX]) to discuss the issue.[XXX] created a request for a buyback and assigned a case number of [XXX]. She also requested that I send photos to [XXX] and visit the local Ford dealership so they could assess the vehicle and share the information with her. I was able to make an apt for Feb 6,2023 @ 10:50 with [XXX] @ Envision ford of Oxnard. When I arrived for the assessment, [XXX] did one walk around the vehicle (he did not inspect the roof at all) and then said he couldn’t help me as he this was a Ford issue, and they were a franchise. I contacted [XXX] with follow up from that meeting, as well as photos of the vehicle. About two weeks after this apt. [XXX] said the case was closed. I am extremely disappointed with how this case was handled, especially considering the significant investment I made in purchasing and maintaining it my vehicle. When I made the original investment I was told that the engine would last up to a million miles…but never imagined the body would be worthless at t
Electrical System
Filed Dec 5, 2019256,000 milesMO
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON WHEN I MOVE THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING STILL
Seat Belts
Filed Dec 1, 2019200,000 milesTX
SEAT BELTS UNBUCKLE BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAS HAPPENS WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS. DRIVER BUCKLE FAILURE IS MOST FREQUENT. ONE DAY IT WON'T HAPPEN THEN THE NEXT DAY IT WILL UNBUCKLE 5 TIMES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AFRAID THIS WILL HAPPEN DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE UNBUCKLES STALL SPEEDS UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2019230,000 milesMT
THE DIGITAL COMPASS AND TEMPERATURE DISPLAY IN THE UPPER CONSOLE BREAKS. I RELY ON THE DISPLAY TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING ON ICY ROADS. I HAVE LOOKED AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES, A WIRE COMING LOOSE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS INSTEAD OF CHARGING UP TO 400.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. IT ALMOST GOT ME KILLED, IM SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED.
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 29, 2019ND
THE PAINT ON THE HOOD BEGAN TO SLOWLY PEEL AWAY AN IS NOW IS VERY AWFUL I WAS JUST TOLD THAT FORD RECALLED MANY ON THE BAD PAINT I WAS NEVER AWARE OF THAT TILL LAST WEEK I WAS ADVISED TO WRITE AN FIND ABOUT THIS MATTER AND THAT FORD WOULD STAND BEHIND THAT.
Electrical SystemCrashFire
Filed Oct 23, 2017176,057 milesMS
ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND HAZZZARD LIGHTS NO BREAK LITES OR TURN SINGNALS THE FUSE PANEL WAS SMOKING AND COUSED A WRECK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR
Seats
Filed Sep 29, 2017187,000 milesAZ
SEATBELT DISCONNECTS INTERMITTENTLY, BUTTON DOESN'T ALWAYS FULLY POP BACK OUT WHEN BUCKLE IS ENGAGED
Tires
Filed Sep 6, 201762,086 milesID
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,086. *LN
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 7, 2017132,500 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A SHUDDER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP, HEARD AN EXPLODING NOISE, AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON GIVING THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Structure › Body
Filed Dec 8, 201640,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS HEAVILY CORRODED. ALSO, THE FUEL STRAPS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ *CN
Tires
Filed Nov 7, 2016105,000 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH NITRO TIRES, TIRE LINE: TERRA GRAPPLE, AND TIRE SIZE: LT285/75/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES MOUNTED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO FEEL A BUMPING IN THE REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK, THEN A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THEN THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED/ ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB
Seat Belts
Filed May 18, 201695,000 milesUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED, THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Nov 16, 2015113,000 milesWA
WIFE PARKED THE TRUCK RUNNING AT THE TOP OF A SLOPED DRIVEWAY NEAR OUR FARM HOUSE, LEFT THE TRUCK RUNNING AND IN PARK, GOT OUT TO RETRIEVE A FORGOTTEN ITEM, WALKED DOWNHILL 75 FT., AFTER A SHORT TIME TURNED TO SEE THE TRUCK SPEED BY BACKWARDS NEARLY HITTING HER. THE TRUCK RAMMED THE CARPORT CORNER CONCRETE SUPPORT, JUMPED A TWO FOOT ROCK WALL AND CAME TO REST AGAINST A THREE FOOT DIAMETER BIRCH TREE. TRUCK EVALUATED AS TOTAL LOSS. A MASTER MECHANIC BROUGHT TO HELP GET THE TRUCK STARTED. DAMAGE ONLY TO REAR BUT WOULD NOT START. BATTERY PLATES HAD SHORTED DUE TO THE THREE SEVERE JOLTS. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE STEERING COLUMN BOLTS AND SCREWS SEEMED QUITE LOOSE. THE TRUCK WAS STARTED BUT MOVED TO THE BODY SHOP BY A TOW TRUCK SINCE THE REAR BREAK LINE WAS SEVERED. AFTER TOTALING THE VEHICLE THE INSURANCE COMPANY SOLD THE TRUCK BACK TO ME FOR $5100. I GOT THE TRUCK REPAIRED. TODAY I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER TO CHECK THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FORD TECHNICIAN NOTED THE SEVERITY OF THE LOOSE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED A COUPLE BUSHINGS, TIGHTENED BOLTS AND SCREWS, AND TESTED THE VEHICLE. HE SPECIFICALLY NOTED, IN WRITING, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RELIABLY STAY IN THE SELECTED GEAR. I PAID FORD $259 FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WORK. THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME WHEN I SCHEDULED THE WORK THAT TWO OTHER VEHICLES HAD JUST COME IN THE SAME DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK CAME OUT OF PARK ON ITS OWN AND WHEN ROLLING BACKWARDS BARELY MISSED MY WIFE. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED. B
Power TrainCrash
Filed Jul 10, 2015160,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET THAT SECURED THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WAS LOOSE WHICH ALLOWED THE LEVER TO GO INTO DIFFERENT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Seat Belts
Filed May 29, 201570,000 milesUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Wheels
Filed Apr 27, 201550,000 milesCA
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE 2 FORD F350S THAT CAME WITH GENERAL TIRES OF THE 12 TIRES WE HAVE HAD 5 BLOW OUTS, THE MOST RECENT WAS 4/23/2015 ON I-80, IN WHICH MY TRUCK SUSTAINED OVER 2500.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. JUST WONDERING IF WE ARE LUCKY OR IF GENERAL TIRE COMPANY IS JUST TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE. THE TIRES ARE 235X85X16 LOAD RANGE E AND ALL HAD SUBSTANTIAL TREAD WHEN THEY BLEW. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. *TR
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: Jul 13, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.