Total Complaints
212 filings
FORD F-250 · model year
212 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996FORDF-250 carries 212 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 25 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 F-250 is tires with 17 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (17) and vehicle speed control:cruise control (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1996 F-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
212 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 17 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 17 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 9 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 4 |
| STEERING | 4 |
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 service. FoMoCo has been unable/unwilling to replace cruise control servo and is instead requiring that I pull one from a wrecking yard in order to complete recall service.
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
Mileage: 17,068
EXCESS FUEL FROM REAR TANK IS RETURNED TO FRONT TANK CAUSING FUEL OVERFILL AND FUEL LEAK.
Mileage: 125,000
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 IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DID SOME SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON. BIG FIRE HAZARD.
Mileage: 231,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRES, SIZE: 265/75R16 (NA). WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 185,000
FUEL SPILLS FROM REAR TANK WHEN FUELING FRONT TANK. ENGINE SPUTTERS AND QUITS WHILE RUNNING DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE FAILURE..
Mileage: 170,000
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT BUT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM ON THE STEERING NOT RETURNING AFTER A TURN. THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING IN THE TOP OF THE COLUMN IS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AT LEAST 20 OF THESE FOR THIS COMPLAINT AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEN BREAKING IS A HYDROBOOST PROBLEM NOT A STEERING PROBLEM. FORD NEED TO RESEARCH THIS AND CORRECT IT BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH BECAUSE OF IT. *TR
Mileage: 300,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHO STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD FROM A WIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS A LICENSED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEAT UPRIGHT WERE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Mileage: 110,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REPLACING THE GLOW PLUGS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER'S LEGAL TEAM, WHO ADVISED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS THE CULPRIT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER, WHICH HELD THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V146000 (STRUCTURE) THAT BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR
Mileage: 96,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER, WHICH HELD THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96V146000 (STRUCTURE) THAT BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR
Mileage: 96,000
TWO OUT OF FOUR KUMHO TIRES HAVE FAILED WITH A THIRD ONE ON ADVISEMENT IN POOR CONDITION. ONE TIRE SEPARATED IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY VELOCITY. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, BODY AND FUEL SYSTEM. VERBALLY AND IN WRITING I ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN. I HAVE MAINTENANCE LOGS, RECEIPTS, PICTURES, ESTIMATES AND ALL EMAIL CORRESPONDENCES FOR YOUR REVIEW. *TR ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2010, UPON A VISUAL INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS GETTING READY TO SEPARATE. SO, HE REPLACED IT WITH ONLY 15, 979 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH 22,642.6 MILES ON THE TIRE, THE APPROXIMATE TREAD WAS 7/32. UPDATED IVOQ 11/19/12
Mileage: 126,881
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC BURNING WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL BURNED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. AS A RESULT, THE CRUISE CONTROL LINES AND THE BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,628 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
Mileage: 183,628
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,600.
Mileage: 77,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 DIESEL. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL PARKING GARAGE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING IT TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A WEAK STEERING COLUMN WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 263,000.
Mileage: 263,000
1996 FORD, F250, 7.3 LITER DIESEL: HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AT CONNECTION TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS DUE TO FAILURE OF AN INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENT THAT CONNECTS THE TUBING TO THE CONNECTING NUT/FITTING. REPLACED WITH A FABRICATED HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY INTERNAL PLASTIC COMPONENTS. *TR
Mileage: 80,280
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEXT TO THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN THE ENTIRE GARAGE AND DID PARTIAL FIRE DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING FIRES FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED SOMEONE COULD HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE DUE TO THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Mileage: 158,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.