1996 Ford F-250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other F-250 years
- About as many complaints as other years 10th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Ford F-250. That ranks 10th out of 24 F-250 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is tires (35 complaints, 20%), typically at around 130,373 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 25 fires, 3 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 176owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Ford F-250 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 35 | 20% | 130,373 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 28 | 16% | 115,773 | — | — |
| Power Train | 19 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 17 | 10% | 171,640 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 9% | 164,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 15 | 9% | 106,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 14 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 11 | 6% | 175,025 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 5% | 106,338 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 3% | 147,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 3% | 112,512 | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 3% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 2% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 2% | 192,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1% | 104,692 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Ford F-250 recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Fix: 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)
Vehicle speed control
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
Fix: 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)
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: 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."
Risk: Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .
Fix: Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.
Structure:frame and members
Problem: 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.
Risk: The subject fasteners can separate causing in the rear strap of the affected fuel tank to become disconnected. A loose or disconnected rear strap allows the fuel tank to possibly contact the road surface increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crossmember gusset fasteners with the specified alternative fasteners (bolts).
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fires (EA05005) — opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V388000.
- Separated front suspension (PE96052) — opened Aug 23, 1996, closed Jan 27, 1997.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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.
Fuel running out fount tank in driveway with selector on rear tank
Excess fuel from rear tank is returned to front tank causing fuel overfill and fuel leak.
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…
Other Ford F-250 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 F-250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 F-250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 F-250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 F-250 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 F-250 | 142 | 0 |
| 2013 F-250 | 95 | 0 |
| 2012 F-250 | 266 | 1 |
| 2011 F-250 | 248 | 2 |
| 2010 F-250 | 73 | 0 |
| 2009 F-250 | 54 | 0 |
| 2008 F-250 | 196 | 7 |
| 2007 F-250 | 60 | 4 |
| 2006 F-250 | 221 | 4 |
| 2005 F-250 | 144 | 3 |
| 2004 F-250 | 154 | 2 |
| 2003 F-250 | 116 | 2 |
| 2002 F-250 | 156 | 2 |
| 2001 F-250 | 220 | 4 |
| 2000 F-250 | 326 | 5 |
| 1999 F-250 | 581 | 14 |
| 1998 F-250 | 56 | 6 |
| 1997 F-250 | 304 | 10 |
| 1996 | 176 | 4 |
| 1995 F-250 | 184 | 3 |
See all Ford F-250 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford F-250?
Owners most often report tires, engine and engine cooling, power train problems. The top one, tires, accounts for 35 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford F-250?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Ford F-250 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-250 model years, the 1996 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.