1996 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 130 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (21% 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 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-350. The contact stated that air was constantly leaking from the tires. The dealer stated that the rims were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2014
“I have a ford f-350 7.3l turbo diesel. While driving on the freeway at 70 mph., the check engine light came on and the engine power was reduced by half. After I pulled over the light went out and the engine returned to normal. Two weeks later the same thing happened again. I took it to a mechanic who found the fuel filter, the fuel pump, and the fuel pickup screens clogged with residue from the liner of the fuel tanks. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Jul 2012
“1. Began smelling diesel fuel in cab. Then noticed drips on driveway. 2. Went to sawgrass ford on date below where I was told this is the fuel filter/water separator drain valve, and it is happening frequently and part is on back-order. They saw leak is almost a stream especially with engine running. 3. Two weeks and no call from dealer. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Feb 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“On 1/30/09 I experienced a fire in the engine compartment on my ford f-350 due to a faulty speed control deactivation switch. I just happened to walk out to the vehicle that was parked in my driveway, not running, to see a glow underneath the truck. I opened the hood and realized that there was a fire coming from the brake master cylinder. After extinguishing the fire, and burning my hands, I could see that the reservoir was melted and the speed control deactivation switch is where the fire was coming from. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2009
“I had the cmp sensor (cam position sensor, f6tz-12k073-a) replaced at 83,733 miles and again at 88,500 miles. The engine runs rough for 3 seconds and dies. It will crank but not restart. Vehicle was towed to mechanic and cmp sensor was replaced. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f350. The contact was displeased because the part for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) was unavailable. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 56,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f-350. He stated that he started his vehicle and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. He also noticed flames coming from under the hood when he opened it. The contact was able to put the fire out without contacting the fire department. There is a recall for the vehicle speed control (recall #06v286000) which stated there could be smoke and fire coming from under the hood. The manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not included as part of the recall. The current and failure mileage was 106,000. The vehicle purchase date was unknown.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle speed control sensor caught on fire. The manufacturer stated the VIN number was not included in the vehicle speed sensor recall (06v286000) because the vehicle had a diesel engine. The vehicle caught fire five minutes after the vehicle was parked and the service dealer determined this was the same symptoms that led to the recall.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2006
“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 05v388000 concerning the vehicle speed control deactivation switch. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN and model. The vehicle has not been repaired. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2005
“Cruise control failed to engage while driving at 65 mph. Consumer inspected the vehicle and noticed that the wiring connected to the speed control deactivation switch was burnt. Consumer went to the dealer and purchased a switch and installed it himself. Consumer expressed concern that this could cause the cruise control to fail disengaging instead of engaging. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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-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 1996 Ford F-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 130 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is tires (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.