1993 Ford F-350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the serpentine belt and tensioner that lead to loss of power steering and brakes, brake and parking brake complaints, and fuel transferring between the dual tanks. Many reports come from trucks well past 100,000 miles, though belt, clutch and tire complaints appear at lower odometer readings too. Complaints span from the mid-1990s through the 2010s, which fits a long-lived work truck that changed hands several times.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel moves between dual tanks and overflows

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 102,465 mi at 15.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2009

   On trucks with two gasoline tanks, complaints describe fuel being pushed from the tank in use into the other one until it overflows at the filler neck and spills on the ground or on the owner. Some report a strong fuel smell inside the cab, rough running or stalling when both tanks are full, and the engine check light coming on. Owners say dealers told them the vehicle was not covered by the fuel tank campaigns, or that repairs would only be made if the symptom was already occurring. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 90,000 to 190,000 miles, often noticed at fuel stops after switching tanks.

   Recall 00V424000Recall 93V125000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pressure regulator and pump check valve campaigns were completed on this specific truck, and confirm by VIN rather than by model year. Watch for a fuel smell or overflow at the front filler neck after driving on the rear tank.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was using my rear gas tank in my dual tank system. The fuel ,in addition to operating the vehicle, pumped into the half full front tank. When I went to fill the front tank at the filling station, the fuel forcibly spilled out of the front tank, spraying on me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10163341, filed 2006-07, 93,600 miles

   “1993 Ford F-350 with a 5.8 engine, I received this info. From alldata. I read on Ford's web site that a safety recall generally never expires... Recall #'s 00s57 fuel pressure regulator replacement, # 00v424000 fuel pressure regulator malfunction, # 01l008000 fuel pump check valve defect., all three of these have the same symptoms, causes fuel from the rear tank to transfer to the front tank and cause fuel to run out of the fuel filler neck of the front tank and down the side of the truck onto the ground. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10259955, filed 2009-02, 111,330 miles
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire tread separates from the casing

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • median 116,374 mi at 13.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe tread peeling away from tires at highway speed, sometimes while the tire stays inflated, and in other cases a blowout. Complaints involve several brands and sizes in LT235/85R16 and similar, including original equipment and replacement tires, with tread or belt debris damaging brake lines and bodywork. Some reports note cracking at the tread edge found during inspection. Reported from around 21,000 miles on individual tires up to about 190,000 miles on the truck; often at highway speeds of 55 to 65 mph.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and look for cracking at the tread edges or bulging on all tires, including the spare, and factor replacement into the price if the tires are old regardless of tread depth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 9/27/2000, I had the annual vehicle inspection in accordance with virginia state law. At that time, the inspector brought to my attention that 4 of the six tires had cracking in the area where tread separation would normally occur. I use this vehicle normally to pull my fifth wheel recreation vehicle. Obviously, the tire cracking gave me much concern. Today, 10/10/200, I had all firestone tires replaced. Further inspection indicated that all tires show some indication of cracking. (DOT number: vnop1wv053 tiresize: lt21585r16)”

   NHTSA complaint #733897, filed 2000-10

   “Tire tread separation on low mileage tire. Tire model wild country apt lt235/85r-16. Mileage verified at 21,152mi. Vehical damage due to tire tread impacting auto and brake lines. No injuries. Tire was a rear tire, so we had to replace both tires.”

   NHTSA complaint #10133787, filed 2005-08, 116,374 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes low, calipers drag and lock

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 195,000 mi at 16.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor with little slowing, pulsation under braking, and front calipers that lock or stay applied and overheat. Some report that ABS engagement produced long stopping distances or that the rear brakes wore unevenly; a few disconnected the ABS. Dealers reportedly replaced calipers, the whole brake system or brake lines, and in some cases the problem returned. Spread from low mileage up to about 190,000 miles, often noticed during hard or repeated braking.

   What to check: Check pedal feel and fluid condition, look for heat discoloration or uneven pad wear at the front calipers, and ask for service records on calipers, hoses and brake lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Had both of my steer tires blow out going down the high way right side I had a trailer on and the other I had just got on to the interstate. Put a hole in my floor on driverside and broke the brake line on the driverside as well. Passenger side just let loose with no warning. I still have all four tires and the tread. These were 235/85r16”

   NHTSA complaint #10788474, filed 2015-11, 190,000 miles

   “I had to stop suddenly, and the brake pedal went to the floor, and didn't slow the vehicle down. I swirved to miss a car, and was side swiped by a truck. If the brakes would have worked properly, the accident would have been avoidable.”

   NHTSA complaint #537623, filed 1998-06
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal or push rod fails

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 12.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the plastic push rod or extension on the clutch master cylinder cracking, so the pedal drops and the clutch no longer disengages. Owners report being unable to shift out of gear and having to stop the engine to halt the truck, and some replaced the assembly repeatedly, including the slave cylinder. Owners note that replacement parts use a metal rod where the factory part was plastic. Mostly reported between roughly 48,000 and 157,000 miles, sometimes on trucks used for towing.

   What to check: Ask whether the clutch master cylinder, push rod and slave cylinder have been replaced, and check the pedal for a spongy or sticking feel. On a manual truck, confirm the clutch fully disengages when hot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Clutch slave cylinder too close to exhaust and over heats o-ring causing loss of brake fluid and loss of clutch. Less than 50,000 miles on truck and is used for towing 5th wheel rv some times in mountains it has went out two times now once about two years ago and just today, 08/17/2005. Heat insulator was in place both times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10133264, filed 2005-08, 48,365 miles

   “Clutch master cylinder, push rod plastic extension fractured and broke while vehicle was in motion on the highway. The vehicle was unable to be shifted out of gear and was unable to stop forward motion until the engine was stopped. With further inspection of the component I was able to determine that wear and lubrications will cause this failure. An entire all metal unit should replace this component. Vehicle was at 150,000 miles when failure occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10010207, filed 2003-03, 156,939 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Serpentine belt slips off, power steering and brakes lost

   • 14 complaints (14%)
   • median 112,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the belt tensioner or idler pulley coming out of alignment or the plastic pulley deforming, so the serpentine belt walks off or shreds while driving. Owners link this to sudden loss of power steering and power assist for braking, a stalled engine, and in some cases belt or pulley debris striking the radiator fan and cooler lines. Several report the dealer replaced the tensioner and bracket more than once without a lasting fix. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 180,000 miles, typically during steady driving rather than at startup.

   What to check: Inspect the tensioner pulley and bracket for wear, glazing or misalignment, and ask whether the belt, tensioner and idler have been replaced together. A cold start with the hood open lets you watch the belt track.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Serpentine belt detaches from tension pulley and/or idler pulley. Detached belt causes damage to transmission cooler lines, radiator lines, and breaks idler pulley from bracket. Power steering and braking are lost making vehicle very difficult to control. Flying idler pulley may cause additional damage and/or falls to roadway as hazard. Damage to transmission lines may cause fire. Caused by uneven wear to the plastic belt tensioner pulley. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10091352, filed 2004-09, 179,000 miles

   “While driving the serpentine belt snapped off. This caused the vehicle to lose power and extended stopping distance. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve problem. The cause was not determined. Please provide more information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113074, filed 2005-02, 45,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are old enough that condition and service history matter more than the model year, so check the belt drive, brake hydraulics, clutch linkage and fuel tank plumbing carefully. Confirm by VIN whether the fuel regulator and fuel tank campaigns were completed, and budget for tires since age is often the deciding factor.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 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.