1994 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 123 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Engine shuts down without warning at speeds 50 to 70 mph and won't restart sometimes. It might restart after an hour and run for about 10 to 15 minutes and stop again and won't start again till next morning. Is intermittently and randomly stopping dead, like turning off the key. Mechanic cannot make it happen in shop!”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford f-250 equipped with dominator sport atz tires, size: lt265/75r16. While driving 35 mph, the contact felt a vibration in the front passenger side tire. The tire was rocking from side to side. In addition, the contact stated that the belt was separated from the front passenger side tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 265,000 and the tire failure mileage was 185.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front fuel tank would extract fuel from the rear fuel tank causing the fuel to leak out the front fuel tank. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford f-250. The contact stated the fuel pressure regulator has worn out and cause fuel to leak in one of the dual fuel tanks. The fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a vehicle fire. The contact notice a recall for the previous year model regarding the fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (00v424000). He had not called the manufacturer to see if his vehicle is included in this recall. The contact stated the vehicle can cause a fire while driving. The failure mileage was 79,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2010
“They will not give me the parts to fix it. *tr the consumer stated the nearest dealer is 250 miles from his home. He also stated he is a mechanic and can perform the repairs himself. Updated 11/25/09”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford f250. The vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway. The fire department extinguished the fire and deemed it as an electrical failure. The fire department informed the contact of a recall for the cruise control switch for her year, make, and model vehicle, which could cause a fire. The contact does not know if the vehicle is included in the recall. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 190,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2009
“1994 ford f250 caught fire in dallas tx. Alternator connector caught fire and burned while driving on the freeway. Wires melted, alternator connector melted. Truck is still down wiring harness to alternator not available. Old parts are available. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford f-250. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. The fire marshall arrived and filed a report, which stated that the cruise control switch caused the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. Ford stated that his claim was denied. The contact has pictures of the damage. The current and failure mileages were 300,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2007
“Dt: contact noticed a bubble on the side wall of the left rear tire. Took the tire off, and called the manufacturer to get the warranty service. They sent him to the local service dealer. When the dealer took the tire off the sidewall separated away from the tire. Contacted the manufacturer again, and they put the contact in touch with the safety technician. Contact felt the cost of the replacement tire increased because he contacted the manufacturer. The service dealer performed a visual inspection and concluded it was a defective tire. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2005
“I was driving down the hyway at 65mph. The tread on the right front tire came off. The tire did not even go flat. It destroid both the inner and outer fender. The truck that I was driving is an 1994 f250 4x4. The tire was a firestone steeltex radial a/t lt245/75r 16”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 10 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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)
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR IS SLAMMED WHILE THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION.
Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR.
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULES INTENDED FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OVER 8,500 BLS. GVWR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
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.
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.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
IN A HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLE, WHILE IN THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT REDUCE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE LOAD ON THE ENGINE IS DECREASED (SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE CRESTS A HILL.) THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED VEHICLE SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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)
THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Ford F-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 123 owner complaints and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have 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.