2000 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report tire tread separation and sidewall failures, many involving Firestone light-truck tires, along with steering that becomes hard or locks at low speed. Engine complaints center on spark plugs ejecting from the cylinder head, sometimes followed by costly head or engine work. Reports span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand up to well past 200,000 miles, and many are intermittent or appear without warning.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and sidewall failure

   • 87 complaints (27%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2022

   Complaints describe tread separating from the tire or the sidewall rupturing while driving at highway speeds, often with vibration, a loud noise, or loss of control. Several owners say the failing tire was a Firestone light-truck model, and in some cases the separated tread damaged the fender. Owners report dealers or tire shops inspected the tires and said nothing was wrong, and some note the vehicle was not included in a tire recall they had heard about. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 60,000 miles, frequently while driving 55-70 mph.

   What to check: Have the tires checked for age and sidewall/tread cracking, and ask for the DOT date codes; replace any tire showing cracks or separation regardless of tread depth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We had just had new firestone transforce ht tires put on our truck. Approximately four months later, as we are traveling down the highway at 65 MPH, we felt a serious vibration in the left rear tire. We slowed down to 60 MPH & that's when the tire blew out. We pulled to the shoulder of the highway to inspect & the tire blew out the sidewall. We did not hit anything & no road hazard caused this damage. We simply felt as a serious vibration & within a half a mile or mile it blew out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11061997, filed 2018-01, 223,888 miles

   “While driving at 70 MPH consumer heard a flapping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. After coming to a stop consumer discovered that the sidewall ruptured on the left rear tire. Dealer examined the tire and claimed that there was nothing wrong with the tire . Consumer found out that several Ford f250 models have experienced the same tire failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10061042, filed 2004-03, 34,200 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Spark plug ejected from cylinder head

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a sudden bang followed by the engine running rough or misfiring, and on inspection a spark plug has come out of the cylinder head, sometimes stripping the threads. Several report the repair involves thread inserts or replacement of the head, and some say it recurred on multiple cylinders. A few complaints mention fire or damage to nearby parts after a plug came loose. Reported from roughly 16,000 to 240,000 miles, often during acceleration or highway driving.

   What to check: Ask whether any spark plug repairs or thread inserts have been done, listen for a ticking or popping noise at start-up, and have a mechanic check torque and thread condition if the engine has high mileage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had three different occasions where the spark plug has blown out while I was driving to and from work and two of the three times I almost hit another vehicle.we fixed them with new parts from auto store but was reminded that the repair is only temporary.two or the three times I was on a highway in busy traffic and the other time I was on a rural road.”

   NHTSA complaint #10955161, filed 2017-02, 265,000 miles

   “The spark plugs on my truck have blown out of the head gasket while driving on the highway. I have spent over $1300 repairing/replacing the spark plug and threads on the heads. I have been reading on the internet where other Ford owners are having the same problem and it appears that nothing is being done to correct the problem. This has happened twice to me since I have owned the truck. The first time was in february 2011, second time was april 2015.”

   NHTSA complaint #10864269, filed 2016-05, 16,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling or shutting off while driving

   • 13 complaints (4%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2012

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at traffic lights, during turns, or at cruising speed, with power steering and braking assist lost until the engine is restarted. Some complaints say a camshaft position sensor was replaced and the stall returned; others report the dealer could not find a cause. A few mention the truck restarting after sitting for a while. Reported from about 40,000 to 185,000 miles, often in stop-and-go or low-speed conditions.

   What to check: Ask about any stalling history and sensor replacements, and have the shop scan for stored codes and check the camshaft position sensor and wiring before long trips.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2000 Ford excursion with the 7.3 diesel engine. On 1/12/07, while sitting at a traffic light it killed on me. Started right up and performed ok. On 1/17/07, while accelerating at about 7 miles per hour it stopped running again. I've parked it until I can determine what causes this problem. It is an extreme safety hazard to be stopped in front of fast moving oncoming traffic. Thank you for your help. Bruce mcpherson.”

   NHTSA complaint #10179271, filed 2007-01, 135,000 miles

   “Traveling south on hwy 78 in sachse, tx my engine stalled at cruising speed if 45 MPH. I lost all power steering and braking control on my 2000 f250 diesel. I partially got my truck into a turn lane, and after 5 minutes of repeated cranking the truck started again only to stall out 15 seconds later. The date below is approximate, but can be verified as the part was changed under warranty, and explained as normal by my dealership.”

   NHTSA complaint #10153681, filed 2006-03, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Hard or locked steering at low speed

   • 25 complaints (8%)
   • median 108,900 mi at 9.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2018

   Complaints describe the steering becoming very difficult, or the wheel locking up, when turning at idle or low speed, making parking maneuvers hard. Some owners recount a hydraulic hose or line failing and losing power steering, and one report says braking was affected at the same time. In several cases the dealer was notified but did not resolve the problem. Often reported between about 66,000 and 295,000 miles, typically during low-speed turns or parking.

   What to check: Check power steering fluid level and look for weeping or cracked hoses, and test full lock-to-lock turning at idle during a test drive to confirm the assist is smooth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While I was on a highway driving at 65 MPH my steering and brakes went out at the same time. I happened to be 200 yards behind the traffic in front of me and I was able to stop the vehicle before impact. A hydraulic hose failed and rendered the steering and brakes almost completely useless. The steering was extremely difficult to control but I managed. The brakes were almost completely gone but I managed to slow the truck down to a safe stop off the highway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10822320, filed 2016-01, 150,000 miles

   “While traveling on the highway and without prior warning, the windshield wipers stopped while in use. . The wiper motor was replaced under recall previously, however the second time the cover and switch assembly was replaced at the consumer expense. Also the pinion seal was replaced due to a leak. Ph”

   NHTSA complaint #10021952, filed 2003-06, 34,550 miles
5. 5
   Tires

   Fuel tank straps or tank failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the fuel tank detaching or dragging on the ground after the straps or tank came apart, and some describe a strong fuel smell after driving. Others report the tank assembly failing and causing the truck to stall under load or at speed. Repairs described in complaints involved replacing the tank and related parts, in some cases more than once. Reported from around 47,000 to 187,000 miles, sometimes noticed only after parking.

   Recall 99V219000Recall 99V311000

   What to check: Inspect the fuel tank straps and mounts for rust or cracks, check for fuel smell or wet spots under the rear of the truck, and confirm whether the fuel-tank recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The straps on the fuel tank broke while I was driving. I did not discover until I arrived home and smelled a strong odor of gas. I looked under the truck and the gas tank was dragging on the ground. Luckily it was snowing or a fire would have occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10629699, filed 2014-08, 154,421 miles

   “2000 Ford f250 leaked diesel fuel. While returning from a trip the consumer noticed that the vehicle seemed to be using excessive amounts of fuel and was not getting the proper mileage. The consumer pulled over at a rest stop and notice fuel leaking. The entire undercarriage of the truck was covered in fuel. The consumer drove to the nearest auto parts store and replaced the plastic drain valve with a 3/8 bolt on the metal drain line.”

   NHTSA complaint #10177508, filed 2006-12, 47,300 miles

Buying note. Inspect tires closely for age and sidewall cracking, check the fuel tank straps and steering hoses, and ask for records of spark plug or cylinder head work. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with this generation of truck is worthwhile given the range of reported issues.

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.