Ford F-250 SD Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 455 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Ford F-250 SD across 29 model years. The 2020 model year has the most (76). The words owners use most often: “super duty” (5% of reports).
- 455power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 11related recalls
- $4,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 57%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Super duty: mentioned in 24 of 455 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Ford F-250 SD at $4,600, and half of them between $1,750 and $6,000.
Based on 24 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 265 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 455 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 6 an injury.
Ford F-250 SD power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-250 SD | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2024 F-250 SD | 7 | 18% | 18,000 |
| 2023 F-250 SD | 7 | 16% | — |
| 2022 F-250 SD | 21 | 17% | 16,756 |
| 2021 F-250 SD | 25 | 15% | 56,000 |
| 2020 F-250 SD | 76 | 29% | 69,000 |
| 2019 F-250 SD | 45 | 4% | 21,000 |
| 2018 F-250 SD | 16 | 4% | 15,300 |
| 2017 F-250 SD | 25 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2016 F-250 SD | 14 | 5% | 137,000 |
| 2015 F-250 SD | 19 | 6% | 38,400 |
| 2014 F-250 SD | 2 | 8% | 104 |
| 2013 F-250 SD | 2 | 10% | 76,500 |
| 2012 F-250 SD | 3 | 5% | 49,650 |
| 2011 F-250 SD | 10 | 8% | 45,000 |
| 2010 F-250 SD | 3 | 9% | 15,136 |
| 2009 F-250 SD | 1 | 4% | 9,880 |
| 2008 F-250 SD | 7 | 5% | 22,273 |
| 2007 F-250 SD | 3 | 6% | 28,000 |
| 2006 F-250 SD | 1 | 0% | 4,806 |
| 2005 F-250 SD | 16 | 5% | 43,000 |
| 2004 F-250 SD | 21 | 8% | 11,000 |
| 2003 F-250 SD | 20 | 11% | 50,000 |
| 2002 F-250 SD | 12 | 5% | 43,600 |
| 2001 F-250 SD | 45 | 16% | 67,500 |
| 2000 F-250 SD | 21 | 9% | 52,340 |
| 1999 F-250 SD | 23 | 9% | 75,055 |
| 1997 F-250 SD | 8 | 21% | 67,560 |
| 1995 F-250 SD | 1 | 11% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (11)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2025 F-250 SD and F-350 SD vehicles. The driveshaft friction weld may fail, resulting in rear driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft serial number and replace the driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S13. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 vehicles. The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
Risk: A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the right rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column shifter may have been improperly welded and detach from the steering column.
Risk: A detached shifter will prevent the driver from shifting into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column serial numbers and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S20.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F250 and F350 vehicles equipped with single rear wheels and a 10.5-inch rear axle shaft. The left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
Risk: A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the left rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S49.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2017, 2018
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.
Risk: Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 19, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S22.
Structure:frame and members:underbody shields; power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Model years: 2020
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.
Risk: An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S33.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2019
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty and F-450 Super Duty vehicles. An incorrect transmission case casting may cause the park pawl assembly to not be secured, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the transmission case, replacing the transmission as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S36.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2017
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty trucks equipped with 6.2L engines and six-speed automatic transmissions. These transmissions may have a damaged park rod actuating plate that can result in unexpected vehicle movement even though the transmission has been shifted to 'Park.' As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence/Starter Interlock/Transmission Braking Effect", and number 114, "Theft Protection."
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement such as a vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the park rod actuating plate and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C06.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2015
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks manufactured September 13, 2013, through March 28, 2014, and equipped with 6.2L gasoline or 6.7L diesel engines and 6R140 transmissions. An error with the transmission control software may be such that while shifting from "Park" to "Drive" the vehicle may display "Drive" but possibly engage "Reverse" for 1.5 seconds before engaging "Drive." Therefore, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
Risk: If the vehicle is in "Reverse" while the while the gear selection shows "Drive," unexpected movement could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2014. Owners may contact Fords customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C04.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Wrench light on dash comes on sporadically with message that there is a powertrain malfunction / reduced power. It said the system has detected a powertrain or 4 WD fault. Reduced power may put both the driver and others at risk depending on the area in which this occurs, ex interstate. Dealer has…
The transmission can remain in 7 gear and not downshift when stopped. The only fix is putting it in park. The transmission also has intermittent rough gear changes and problems downshifting while stopping. Dealership updated the TCM which only made the issue worse. Ford stated that I should go to…
The transmission can remain in 7 gear and not downshift when stopped. The only fix is putting it in park. The transmission also has intermittent rough gear changes and problems downshifting while stopping. Dealership updated the TCM which only made the issue worse. Ford stated that I should go to…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V087000 (Structure, Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of…
Purchased a 2021 F250 brand new from dealership and have had serviced at dealer since new. This truck is equipt with the 10r140 transmission that is a known problem. Starting at 48K miles transmission slipped from 3-5 gear. Report to Mooresville Ford and they âdroveâ the truck 6 miles and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-250 SDs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 455 owner complaints about power train for the Ford F-250 SD. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-250 SD power train?
Yes: 11 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Ford F-250 SD?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,600 (half paid between $1,750 and $6,000), from 24 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Ford F-250 SD?
The most frequent phrase is “super duty”, in 24 of 455 complaints.
Other Ford F-250 SD problems
- Steering problems (2,485)
- Suspension problems (2,211)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (692)
- Electrical System problems (500)
- Engine problems (322)
- Wheels problems (284)
- Tires problems (244)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (225)
See all Ford F-250 SD problems.