1994 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 95 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (31% of complaints); the 1992 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 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“In march of 2014 I purchased a set of tires from treadwright tires within a very short time I noticed the side walls cracking , before I could get any response I had a blow out on my right from tire at 60 mph, I went through two more sets with the same results of side wall cracking but no blow outs I am now on my fourth set , they are a different model tire but I am now having a bad vibration some what like I had just before the blow out on the first tire set. Treadwright is being unresponsive now to my warranty claim and not refunding me the cost and shipping of the tires.”Owner report · Tires · May 2014
“The contact owns a 1994 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2009
“F350 ford supercrew 4x4 7.3 turbo diesel had been sitting for 4 days. Wife comes out of house finds truck on fire in engine compartment on driver's side. The cruise deactivation switch was disconnected. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 f-350. While driving 20 mph, all of the sensors failed and damaged the transmission. The contact stated that the sensor lights illuminated on the instrument panel to warn her of the failure. The sensors and the transmission were replaced by a local mechanic. The dealer information was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 145,900.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2007
“1994 ford f-350 had an under hood fire. *kb a recall was received in refernce to faulty speed control deactivation switch for the consumer's 1995 f-250 but not the 1994 f-350. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2006
“Our 1994 ford f-350 was destroyed by fire originating at the master cylinder today. There was a small brake fluid leak noticed in this area the other day; but I was unaware of the cruise control shutoff switch danger until after the fire. I have received no notice of a recall for this vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2005
“When attempting to start the vehicle smoke came from the engine compartment. Consumer immediately got out and disconnected the cruise control cable wires. Then, the smoke stopped. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2005
“Cracks have accumulated on the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak . Sime vehicles can experience a cross tank fuel condition due to adamaged valve in the fuel pump/sender assembly. Fuel may besupplied from one tank and some or all of the unused fuel may be returned to the other tank. Should this occur, the capacity of the receiving tank may overflow the filler cap. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Nov 2004
“Brake fade. When at a complete stop, pedal will sink slowly but not enough to active a warning light. If pedal is not pressed harder vehicle will roll. Dealership says this is not the first vehicle to do this and has contacted the manufacturer. Vehicle still does it to this day. Master cylinder has been replaced twice, still not fixed.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2004
“While pulling a trailer loaded with fire wood, the brakes failed at an intersection. The brake pedal went nearly to the floor. The brakes would not slow me down. The emergency brake was not stong enough to stop me while loaded. Had to down shift to stop. The brake line going to the rear axle had a hole in it. The hole was located at one on clamps to the frame. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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-350 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-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 95 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 145,900 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional. 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.