1996 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 11 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Kumho kl78 245/75r16 load range e tire. Purchased a set of kl78 tires in november 2011 for my 3/4 truck. Since the time of purchase I have put less than 20,000 miles on the truck / tires. Three of the tires have developed large deformation across the tread cap, like a bulge. This is a manufacturing safety defect caused by the separation of steel belts of the tire allowing the rubber to deform. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2014
“Ply separation. Tire store confirmed they were aware of other occurrences. There's no section to report type in form so I will here. Type apt. M&s lt235/85/r16. Other I.d. Info.120/116q. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f250. The contact stated that the filter housing cracked and leaked diesel fluid from the top of the engine down into the vehicle. He was concerned that the leak could cause a fire. An independent mechanic assumed that the fuel pump was causing the leak. After the repairs were completed, the mechanic stated that the fuel housing cracked and caused the leak. The current and failure mileages were less than 230,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2009
Show 4 more owner reports
“While driving in traffic my camshaft position sensor failed without warning causing my diesel engine to shut off, leaving me with no steering and braking ability. This action almost caused a traffic accident. My truck was towed to my local repair shop and the camshaft position sensor was replaced. I retained the sensor that was replaced. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f250 hd. The cam sensor was replaced on october 28, 2003. The contact believes that the replacement part is faulty and will need to be replaced again. There is a safety recall on the cam sensor, but it does not apply to his vehicle year. There has been no recent failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 113,800 and the failure mileage in 2003 was 96,228. Updated 01/17/08 *bf updated 01/17/08 *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2007
“1996 f-250 caught fire in my driveway while on vacation, and after not being used for 4 days. Fire investigators determined the fires cause and origin to be the speed deactivation switch which I received a recall notice to have repaired. Notice was rec'd in late august 2006, appointment made for october 11 2006 and truck burned october 8 2006. Ford quality control states they can do the investigation thru pictures e- mailed to corp. Headquarters, then states after seeing the pictures that the truck is too badly damaged to determine fire cause and denies the claim. Please help me. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
“Dt: the contact stated on february 27, 2004 the vehicle caught on fire. It started in the cruise control switch. Ford f250 1996. There was no forewarning, the vehicle was parked ten to twelve hours. Ford repaired the vehicle at contact's expense. However, the insurance company covered a certain amount of it. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2004
Recalls - 1 campaign
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD by VIN
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Is the 1996 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1996 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.