Model year

1996 Ford F-250 SD

Pickup, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in Canada. Owner complaints on file from Aug 15, 2003 to Jul 9, 2014.

Recall campaigns covering this model year14.5M vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints111.8 times the median 1996 pickup
Severity index18.21996 pickups average 15.4
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1996 Ford F-250 SD peaked in 2007, with 3 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

01232003200520073200920112013201520172019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

36% of complaints about the 1996 Ford F-250 SD name engine and cooling

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Engine and cooling
4
Tires
2
Speed control
2
Electrical system
1
Fuel system
1
Brakes
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

One recall campaign covers the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
09V-399Oct 13, 2009Scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burnSpeed control4,500,000Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

11 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jul 9, 2014Failure Jul 6, 2014145,782 milesSurprise, AZTires

    KUMHO KL78 245/75R16 LOAD RANGE E TIRE. PURCHASED A SET OF KL78 TIRES IN NOVEMBER 2011 FOR MY 3/4 TRUCK. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE I HAVE PUT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK / TIRES. THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED LARGE DEFORMATION ACROSS THE TREAD CAP, LIKE A BULGE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION OF STEEL BELTS OF THE TIRE ALLOWING THE RUBBER TO DEFORM. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10609228
  2. Filed Jan 16, 2013Failure Sep 12, 2012131,000 milesGalt, CAVehicle speed control

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH BECAME OILY AND STARTED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 02/12/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH FAILED. HE NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING EIGHT MONTHS PRIOR. HE THEN NOTICED A WIRING HARNESS/CONNECTOR NEAR THE BAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS OILY AND THAT THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH. UPDATED 02/13/13

    NHTSA complaint 10493207
  3. Filed Mar 2, 2012Failure Feb 14, 2012Sherwood, ORTires

    PLY SEPARATION. TIRE STORE CONFIRMED THEY WERE AWARE OF OTHER OCCURRENCES. THERE'S NO SECTION TO REPORT TYPE IN FORM SO I WILL HERE. TYPE APT. M&S LT235/85/R16. OTHER I.D. INFO.120/116Q. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10450086
  4. Filed Jun 5, 2009Failure May 10, 2009230,000 milesAdairsville, GAFuel system, Diesel

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FILTER HOUSING CRACKED AND LEAKED DIESEL FLUID FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ASSUMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CAUSING THE LEAK. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL HOUSING CRACKED AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 230,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10272941
  5. Filed Sep 4, 2008Failure Aug 28, 200890,848 milesApple Valley, CAEngine and engine cooling

    WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC MY CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING MY DIESEL ENGINE TO SHUT OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THIS ACTION ALMOST CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. I RETAINED THE SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10240855
  6. Filed Dec 18, 2007Failure Dec 18, 200796,228 milesKemp, TXEngine and engine cooling

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250 HD. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 28, 2003. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS FAULTY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE CAM SENSOR, BUT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECENT FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IN 2003 WAS 96,228. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10212199
  7. Filed Sep 11, 2007Failure Sep 7, 2007100,700 milesLouisville, KYService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    I HAVE A 1996 FORD F-250 HEAVY DUTY PICKUP WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I WAS TESTING THE BRAKES AFTER ADJUSTING THEM IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE WHEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALL THE FLUID WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE RUSTED LINE ON THE FRONT BRAKES, AFTER I REPAIRED THEM AND WAS BLEEDING THE AIR FROM THEM, WHILE HOLDING DOWN ON THE PEDAL ANOTHER LINE ON THE REAR BRAKES BLEW OUT. IN SHORT, I SPENT 10 HRS. REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES THAT WERE RUSTED OUT. I HAVE OLDER CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE. IF I HAD BEEN HAULING A LOAD THAT THIS TRUCK IS RATED TO PULL (14,000LBS.) TOWING CAPACITY,I COULD HAVE RUN RIGHT OVER SOMEONE. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER TRUCKS ARE OUT THERE ON OUR ROADS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM? I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. FOR WHICH THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THAT I TOLD THEM I HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED. I HOPE THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT I HAVE MY DOUBTS. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. UPDATED *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10202582
  8. Filed Jan 27, 2007Failure Jan 24, 2007180,000 milesCoquitlam BC Canada, 00Diesel

    TRUCK STALLED OR QUIT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10180898
  9. Filed Oct 13, 2006Failure Oct 8, 2006104,000 milesJackson, NJFront underhoodFire

    1996 F-250 CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE ON VACATION, AND AFTER NOT BEING USED FOR 4 DAYS. FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THE FIRES CAUSE AND ORIGIN TO BE THE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE REPAIRED. NOTICE WAS REC'D IN LATE AUGUST 2006, APPOINTMENT MADE FOR OCTOBER 11 2006 AND TRUCK BURNED OCTOBER 8 2006. FORD QUALITY CONTROL STATES THEY CAN DO THE INVESTIGATION THRU PICTURES E- MAILED TO CORP. HEADQUARTERS, THEN STATES AFTER SEEING THE PICTURES THAT THE TRUCK IS TOO BADLY DAMAGED TO DETERMINE FIRE CAUSE AND DENIES THE CLAIM. PLEASE HELP ME. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10170798
  10. Filed Oct 11, 2005Failure Feb 27, 2004Luther, OKCruise controlFire

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON FEBRUARY 27, 2004 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT STARTED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. FORD F250 1996. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TEN TO TWELVE HOURS. FORD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF IT. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10139260
  11. Filed Aug 15, 2003Failure Sep 9, 200176,232 milesStaten Island, NYManifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

    EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING AND NOT GASKET ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10032902
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on file

  • EA05005 Engineering analysis, Electrical system
    ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
    Opened Mar 22, 2005, closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

33 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • 032131 Oct 30, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    ROUGH IDLE AND ENGINE MISS DUE TO INJECTOR BORE SCUFFING AT GREEN ENGINE BREAK-IN. *TT
  • 032126 Oct 30, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    MOANING NOISE DURING 1500-2000 RPM ON NEUTRAL ENGINE RUN-UP, OR WHILE DRIVING UNDER LOAD. *TT
  • 03211 Oct 30, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    LOSS OF POWER AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ALSO ILLUMINATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 128 AND 845 OR P0236 AND P0238 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT
  • 03148 Jul 21, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT
  • 99236 Nov 15, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING 4R100 TRANSMISSION FLEXPLATE REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLES WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINE. *TT
  • 99196 Sep 20, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
  • 99222 Oct 18, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
  • 01157 Aug 6, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
  • 01156 Aug 6, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
  • 002310 Nov 13, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
  • 0038 Feb 7, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SOLID PARTICLE CONTAMINANTS FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR, MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY FLUSHED, FLUID IN-LINE FILTER KIT. *MJS
  • 0015 Jan 10, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
  • 98156 Aug 3, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXHAUST LEAK AT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS--VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 7.0L 0R 7.5L ENGINE. *AK
  • 99152 Jul 26, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
  • 991210 Jun 14, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A PRIVATE LABELED MATERIAL TO BE USED FOR IRON PARTICLE / ACID RAIN SERVICE REPAIRS. *TT
  • 99129 Jun 14, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXPERIENCING A WHINE / BUZZ TYPE NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO ON VEHICLES WITH AN IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. *TT
  • 99111 Jun 14, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION DESIGNED TO AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TESTING AND REPAIR OF NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) CONCERNS. *TT
  • 99-8-15 May 3, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING DOOR TRIM PANEL REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT
  • 98122 Jan 19, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION ON THE DEFROSTER PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT.
  • 98113 Jan 19, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT PERTAINING TO RED RUST STAINS ON THE EDGES OF THE BUMPER CENTER VENT AND FOG LAMP OPENINGS. *TT
  • 9943 Mar 8, 1999 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION REGARDING REPROGRAMMING POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULES (PCMS). *TT
  • 98246 Dec 7, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
  • 98205 Oct 12, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXHIBITING ROUGH IDLE AND ENGINE MISS DUE TO INJECTOR BORE SCUFFING AT GREEN ENGINE BREAK-IN. *YC
  • 982721 Apr 1, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A POPPING / SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING. *YC
  • 9873 Apr 13, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXPERIENCING A WHINING / BUZZING NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO. *TT
  • 98419 Mar 2, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FLASHING TRANSMISSION CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP (TCIL) AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) 62,628, AND/OR 1728. *YC
  • 9845 Mar 2, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    AVAILABILITY OF HUB-MOUNT BRAKE ROTOR MACHINING EQUIPMENT. *YC
  • 98810 Apr 27, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SOME CUSTOMERS MAY REQUIRE A HEAVY DUTY 7-WAY TRAILER WIRING CONNECTOR SYSTEM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 4-WAY CONNECTOR. *YC
  • 9888 Apr 27, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
  • 985A27 Mar 18, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    LUBRICANT LEAKING FROM REAR AXLE SEAL CONTAMINATING BRAKE SHOES. *YC
  • 985A25 Mar 18, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    A VIBRATION OR SHUDDER MAY BE FELT DURING BRAKING ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC
  • 985A23 Mar 18, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    A COMPREHENSIVE PULL AND DRIFT DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST TECHNICIANS IN HELPING TO RESOLVE PULL OR DRIFT CONDITIONS. *TT
  • 985A5 Mar 18, 1998 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    HUB-MOUNT BRAKE ROTOR MACHINING EQUIPMENT FROM ROTUNDA IS NOW APPROVED FOR WARRANTY AND SERVICE USE. *YC
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.