1993 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel moving between the two tanks and overflowing, which many complaints tie to the dual-tank fuel system and to recalls they say did not cover their truck. A second common theme is the accessory drive belt coming off, with reports of losing power steering and brake assist. The rest of the sample covers brake and ABS behavior, clutch and transmission problems, and front-end vibration.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel transferring between tanks and overflowing

   • 31 complaints (24%)
   • median 227,625 mi at 13.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Complaints describe fuel moving from one tank into the other until the receiving tank overflows at the filler neck or spills on the road, especially after filling both tanks. Owners say the dealer replaced fuel pumps, check valves or pressure regulators, and some report the problem returned afterward or that the truck was not covered because of its VIN. Several mention spilled fuel near the vehicle and refusals or delays in service. Reported across a wide mileage range, from trucks with no mileage given to those past 250,000 miles, often after filling both tanks.

   Recall 00V424000Recall 93V125000

   What to check: Ask whether the crossover/check-valve and fuel pressure regulator work described in the recalls was done on this truck. Fill both tanks and watch for fuel backing up at the filler neck before driving off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is about a fuel tank delivery and air induction bulletin, cross tank fuel flow problem my Ford f250 truck is having. I have notified my local dealership and Ford customer service, they both say there is no recall for this vehicle. But I found a NHTSA campaign # 93v12500 describing exactly what has been happening for the last 6 months. It needs to be fixed and is expensive, but I can't get any satisfaction from Ford, I'm hoping you can help. Updated 04/15/10.”

   NHTSA complaint #10306586, filed 2010-02, 295,251 miles

   “Vehicle experienced the same defect related to the fuel tank overflowing as stated in recall 010i 008 000. The consumers vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. The consumer had the vehicle repaired at his expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #10026370, filed 2003-07, 160,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Accessory belt comes off, losing steering and brake assist

   • 19 complaints (15%)
   • median 234,242 mi at 19.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Owners describe the serpentine belt or its tensioner and idler pulleys failing or shredding, sometimes repeatedly after prior repairs. With the belt off, the power steering and the vacuum-assisted brakes stop working, and drivers report heavy steering and long stopping distances. Complaints mention dealers replacing the belt and tensioner, and some owners say the problem came back. Mostly reported while driving at road and highway speeds, with several owners describing multiple replacements over the life of the truck.

   What to check: Inspect the belt, tensioner and pulleys for wear or misalignment, and ask whether the belt or tensioner has been replaced and how often. Check that the brake assist and steering feel normal on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While starting up truck drive belt fell off. Also, there were no brakes or steering when this happened. Consumer had to replace drive belt six times. Consumer indicated if going down a hill vehicle would have crashed. Neither dealer not manufacturer provided any help.”

   NHTSA complaint #859478, filed 2000-03

   “Previous recall issued by manufacturer regarding excessive wear of the drive belts which incorporates with the power steering pump and brakes. This could result in a loss of control without prior warning. This is the fourth replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #813010, filed 1997-06
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake and ABS grabbing or long stopping distance

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 3.0 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1998

   Complaints describe rear wheel lockup and grabbing on wet, gravel or snowy roads, a pedal that goes to the floor, and longer stopping distances. Some owners report front-end vibration under braking and cracked front rotors, with wheel cylinders leaking on the rear. Several say the dealer could not find or reproduce the problem after repeated visits. Reported from low mileage (caliper work noted around 30,000 to 52,000 miles) up through older, higher-mileage trucks, often on wet or loose surfaces.

   Recall 94V169001

   What to check: Test the brakes on wet or loose ground if possible, and look for brake work records covering rotors, calipers and rear wheel cylinders. Confirm the parking brake holds and ask whether the parking brake recall repair was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Equipped w/rear ABS brakes the front brake rotors have an inch crack, when brakes are applied, truck pulls to the right. Dealer also found rear wheel cylinder leaking, both rear cylinders were replaced along with the brake shoes and axle seal, front rotors and pucks.”

   NHTSA complaint #804687, filed 1996-11

   “Intermittently on snowy or wet road conditions the ABS locks up and grabs, causing the vehicle to slide off the road. When braking at 55 MPH the back end of the truck jumps up and down. Vehicle taken to dealer 4 or 5 times in 2 years, cannot find problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #809894, filed 1997-05
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal to the floor and clutch failures

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the clutch pedal going to the floor with no warning, and broken clutch master cylinder bushings or plastic parts. Some report fluid loss and repeated clutch replacements, and one describes trouble shifting into overdrive leading to transmission rebuilds. Complaints mention dealers replacing parts multiple times without resolving the issue. Reported at varied mileages and conditions, with several owners noting repeat failures over time.

   What to check: Press the clutch through its full travel and check for a spongy or low pedal, and look for fluid around the master cylinder and firewall. Ask for service records on clutch and transmission work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Whiletraveling the clutch went completley out, causing the vehicle to continue to accelerate, key was removed from the ignition in order to stop vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the clutch four times. Problem still occurs. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #847480, filed 1999-10

   “Going 15mph, pressed the clutch pedal. Went to floor. Stopped vehicle. Checked problem. Noticed piece on ground had broken. Towed vehicle to dealership. Mechanic said master cylinder needed replacing. Could not order small plastic piece for clutch.”

   NHTSA complaint #824221, filed 1998-06
5. 5
   Suspension

   Front-end shimmy and worn front suspension parts

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2009

   Complaints describe violent front-end shaking at highway speeds, worn front springs letting the truck bottom out, and loose front axle mounting bolts affecting handling. Owners also note early wear of drag link and tie rod ends. Some say a stabilizer kit was added to the front end, and dealers at times attributed the vibration to tire pressure. Reported from around 60,000 miles upward, typically at highway speeds.

   What to check: Drive at highway speed and check for vibration through the steering wheel, and inspect front springs, axle mounting bolts and steering linkage for wear or looseness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My truck periodicly would shake uncontrollably after 35mph causing me to have to get out of traffic fast to avoid an accident. Since there was nothing 'broken' on my truck, Ford had to add a stabilizer kit to the front end suspension. They informed me that this was not a recall item. As it could have caused an accident I am reporting this poorly engineered front end suspension problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #748808, filed 2001-07

   “While driving vehicle under normal conditions front vehicle springs have worn out, causing vehicle to bottom out. Also premature failure of drag link and tie rod ends.”

   NHTSA complaint #813178, filed 1997-07

Buying note. Given the age of this model year, service records matter more than anything: ask specifically about the fuel tank crossover and pressure regulator recalls, belt and tensioner replacements, and brake work. A test drive at highway speed plus a look underneath for fuel seepage and worn front-end parts will show much of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.