Ford F-250 SD Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 6,521 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 6,521 owner complaints and 68 safety recalls on file for the Ford F-250 SD, across 32 model years (1995–2026). The 2019 model year has the most complaints (1,164). The most reported problem area overall is steering.

Peak: 2019, with 1,164 complaints
1995: 919951996: 111997: 391998: 119981999: 2492000: 2332001: 28820012002: 2452003: 1782004: 25420042005: 2952006: 2742007: 5420072008: 1412009: 232010: 3220102011: 1222012: 572013: 2120132014: 262015: 2962016: 29020162017: 1,1552018: 3982019: 1,16420191,1642020: 2652021: 1662022: 12620222023: 432024: 402025: 1720252026: 9

n = 6,521 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Ford F-250 SD years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F-250 SD year: 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 2019 F-250 SD: 1,164 complaints, 11 recalls
  2. 2017 F-250 SD: 1,155 complaints, 14 recalls
  3. 2018 F-250 SD: 398 complaints, 9 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 1998 F-250 SD: 1 complaint, 1 recall
  2. 1995 F-250 SD: 9 complaints, 1 recall
  3. 2026 F-250 SD: 9 complaints, 6 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Ford F-250 SD problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Steering problems2,4852935
Suspension problems2,2112921
Engine and Engine Cooling problems692296
Electrical System problems500309
Power Train problems4552912
Engine problems322288
Wheels problems284236
Tires problems2442416
Fuel/propulsion System problems225257
Structure problems198227
Fuel System, Diesel problems193260
Vehicle Speed Control problems161269
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems1341710
Service Brakes problems126269
Air Bags problems1012144
Back Over Prevention99111
Fuel System, Gasoline78231
Visibility60171
Electronic Stability Control (esc)50110
Exterior Lighting50210
Seat Belts46175
Latches/locks/linkages44110
Visibility/wiper43111
Equipment27141
Forward Collision Avoidance2393
Lane Departure2370
Parking Brake2073
Seats20141
Fuel System, Other1790
Service Brakes, Electric520
Firerelated430
Interior Lighting430
Equipment Adaptive/mobility330
Service Brakes, Air330
Electronic Stability Control220
Traction Control System221
Trailer Hitches220

Ford F-250 SD problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Ford F-250 SD model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2026 F-250 SD96—Electrical System
2025 F-250 SD177—Service BrakesFar fewer complaints than other years
2024 F-250 SD404—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2023 F-250 SD4316—Electrical SystemFar fewer complaints than other years
2022 F-250 SD12617—Power TrainAbout as many complaints as other years
2021 F-250 SD16612—Fuel System, DieselMore complaints than other years
2020 F-250 SD26514—Power TrainFar more complaints than other years
2019 F-250 SD1,16411—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2018 F-250 SD3989—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2017 F-250 SD1,15514—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2016 F-250 SD2903—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2015 F-250 SD2962—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
2014 F-250 SD260—SuspensionFar fewer complaints than other years
2013 F-250 SD210—EngineFar fewer complaints than other years
2012 F-250 SD570—SteeringFar fewer complaints than other years
2011 F-250 SD1220—SteeringAbout as many complaints as other years
2010 F-250 SD320—SteeringFar fewer complaints than other years
2009 F-250 SD230—SteeringFar fewer complaints than other years
2008 F-250 SD1410—SteeringAbout as many complaints as other years
2007 F-250 SD541—SuspensionFar fewer complaints than other years
2006 F-250 SD2741—SuspensionFar more complaints than other years
2005 F-250 SD2953—SuspensionFar more complaints than other years
2004 F-250 SD2542—Engine and Engine CoolingFar more complaints than other years
2003 F-250 SD1784—Engine and Engine CoolingMore complaints than other years
2002 F-250 SD2453—Engine and Engine CoolingMore complaints than other years
2001 F-250 SD2882—Engine and Engine CoolingFar more complaints than other years
2000 F-250 SD2332—Engine and Engine CoolingMore complaints than other years
1999 F-250 SD2492—Engine and Engine CoolingMore complaints than other years
1998 F-250 SD11—Steering
1997 F-250 SD392—Engine and Engine CoolingFar fewer complaints than other years
1996 F-250 SD111—Engine and Engine CoolingFar fewer complaints than other years
1995 F-250 SD91—Electrical System

More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford F-250 SD years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2001 (288), 2004 (254), 2005 (295), 2006 (274), 2015 (296), 2016 (290), 2017 (1,155), 2018 (398), 2019 (1,164), 2020 (265) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F-250 SD year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Ford F-250 SD?

Steering, with 2,485 complaints across 29 model years.

How many recalls does the Ford F-250 SD have?

68 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.