1996 Ford F-250 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 164,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Ford F-250, 9% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 164,000 miles. 13 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had raised my hood to check the oil, and there was smoke from the cruise control shut off switch located at the end of the master cylinder. It continued to smoke and burn until I unplugged it. It was nearly on fire. The body of the switch is melted and burned. When I went to Ford dealer on 4/17/06 for a replacement part, the parts manager thought that this might be part of the recall that is in force for the f-150. The service manager checked, and it does not apply to the F-250. This is disturbing to me, because the switch is that same for either vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10155626, filed 2006-04, 200,050 miles“Dt: consumer reported Ford f250 super duty 1996 caught on fire. The fire took place outside the house with the key out of the ignition. Fire originated from the cruise control switch under the hood. The fire department did investigated and determined that cruise control switch caused the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10127288, filed 2005-07, 180,000 miles“After driving the vehicle consumer went home, parked the vehicle for a couple of hours. After returning to the vehicle,he smelled smoke, lifted the hood, and discovered that cruise control was smoking. He disconnected the battery, and the smoking ceased. The cruise control was later replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10118987, filed 2005-04, 110,000 miles“Dt: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 05v388000 concerning the vehicle speed control:cruise control. This vehicle manifests the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. The contact repaired the vehicle at his own expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10143470, filed 2005-11, 102,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11543544, filed 2023-09Related recalls
- 06V286000Aug 1, 2006On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.Covers: Ford F-250 1994–2002, F-350 1994–2002, F-450 SD 1994–2002 +10 more
- 05V388000Sep 7, 2005On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.Covers: Ford F-250 1994–1999, F-150 1994–2002, Expedition 1997–2002 +3 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 8 | 7% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 23 | 10% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 32 | 6% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 15 | 5% |
| 1996 | 16 | 9% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 13 | 11% |
| 1993 | 8 | 6% |
| 1992 | 4 | 3% |
| 1991 | 3 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 4% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford F-250
35 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford F-250
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology