1996 Ford F-250 SD Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by tires (2) and vehicle speed control (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling4 36%
- Tires2 18%
- Brakes1 9.1%
- Electrical system1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #10240855, filed 2008-09, 90,848 milesTires: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10609228, filed 2014-07, 145,782 milesVehicle speed control: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493207, filed 2013-01, 131,000 milesBrakes: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202582, filed 2007-09, 100,700 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 96,228 and 145,782 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford F-250 SD 1993–1997, 1999–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and…
Recall details for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD.
Other model years of the Ford F-250 SD
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 12 | 8 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 17 | 3,106 | 8 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 40 | 6,000 | 4 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 44 | 4,500 | 16 | — | — | 54 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 127 | 39,000 | 17 | — | — | 68 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 167 | 45,950 | 12 | — | — | 77 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 267 | 51,498 | 14 | — | — | 93 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 1,165 | 20,200 | 11 | — | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 399 | 28,000 | 9 | — | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 1,155 | 29,000 | 14 | — | — | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 291 | 63,000 | 3 | — | — | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 296 | 69,361 | 2 | — | — | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 26 | 68,500 | 0 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 21 | 42,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 57 | 55,118 | 0 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2011 | 122 | 34,500 | 0 | — | — | 25 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 32 | 44,518 | 0 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 23 | 30,507 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 141 | 43,910 | 0 | — | — | 14 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2007 | 54 | 30,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 274 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 295 | 41,450 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 254 | 55,838 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 178 | 49,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 245 | 75,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 288 | 74,254 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 233 | 79,150 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 249 | 97,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 39 | 95,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 11 | 104,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 9 | 157,605 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-250 SD model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Ford F-250 SD have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Ford F-250 SD is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by tires with 2.
Has the 1996 Ford F-250 SD been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Ford F-250 SD reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,000 miles and the middle half falls between 96,228 and 145,782 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.