1996 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 176 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (20% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cruise control switch began smoking, disconnected it and took it to Awesome Ford of Chehalis, WA for recall service sometime in June or July. Service tech found that brake fluid had wicked its way up electrical harness into cruise control servo, necessitating replacement in order to complete recall service. FoMoCo has been unable/unwilling to replace cruise control servo and is instead requiring that I pull one from a wrecking yard in order to complete recall service.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2023
“A malfunctioning check valve within the fuel pump assembly causes a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When this occurs, the capacity of the second tank can be exceeded, causing fuel spillage. About 5 gallons of fuel spilled out of fill tube.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2022
“Front fuel tank stopped working. Vehicle runs using rear fuel tank. If I take off the front tank fuel cap, gas pours out sometimes sprays ( about 8 ounces or so) . Front fuel tank seems to become pressurized. This can happen every time you drive it ( if you remove the front cap). In my opinion this is a definite safety hazard that needs to be addressed. I did some searches on the internet and this problem is quite common. Big fire hazard.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-250 equipped with uniroyal laredo tires, size: 265/75r16 (na). While making a right turn at approximately 50 mph, the front passenger side tire ruptured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the tread separated and the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 185,000 and the tire failure mileage was 15,000. The dot number was unavailable.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2015
“Fuel spills from rear tank when fueling front tank. Engine sputters and quits while running due to fuel pressure failure..”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2015
“This is not a complaint but to let everyone know what I have found to be part of the problem on the steering not returning after a turn. The steering column bearing in the top of the column is bad. I have had to replace at least 20 of these for this complaint and fixed the problem. The locking of the steering when breaking is a hydroboost problem not a steering problem. Ford need to research this and correct it before there is a death because of it. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f250. The contact stated the vehicle was off and the key was out of the ignition when the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire who stated that the fire started under the hood from a wire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the drivers seat reclined independently. The contact was a licensed mechanic who stated that the bolts that hold the seat upright were broken. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Seats · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was sitting in a residential drive way when it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that the speed control deactivation switch was the culprit. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact spoke with the manufacturer in regard to NHTSA campaign id number: 06v286000 (vehicle speed control), but was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure and the current mileages were 150,000. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-250. The contact stated that the cross member, which held the rear of the fuel tank was corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 96v146000 (structure) that but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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)
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.
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 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER GUSSET FASTENERS WITH THE SPECIFIED ALTERNATIVE FASTENERS (BOLTS).
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."
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.
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 1996 Ford F-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 176 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is tires (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 125,941 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
5 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.