1995 Ford F-350 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems: a pedal that sinks to the floor, extended stopping distance, lock-ups and cracked front rotors, frequently on higher-mileage trucks. Tire tread separations and sidewall failures, mostly on the original Firestone Steeltex sizes, are also reported at highway speeds, and older 7.3 diesel trucks are described stalling without warning, sometimes traced to the camshaft sensor. Many of these complaints come from trucks past 100,000 miles, though some brake and tire reports came at much lower mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor and stopping distance grows

   • 23 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 2.5 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floorboard when stopping, with the truck taking much longer to stop than expected; some mention it during panic stops or after driving a while. Several owners say the front brakes locked while the rear did little, and some note the system needed repeated adjustment or that rotors cracked and produced vibration. Dealers were contacted in many cases, and one fleet owner wrote that updated parts had to be ordered at retail cost. Reported across a wide mileage range, from trucks with only a few thousand miles up to over 200,000 miles.

   What to check: Test the brake pedal for firmness and any sinking while holding pressure, and have the master cylinder and front rotors inspected before buying; ask for service records showing brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a vibration when consumer applied brakes at any speed. Consumer had brakes inspected and discovered that front brake rotors on both sides of vehicle had cracked which caused vibration. Dealership was unwilling to assist the consumer. Consumer is concerned that this could cause the wheels to lock up.”

   NHTSA complaint #889860, filed 2001-06

   “Drving vehicle & applying brakes; brakes locked up; put in reverse to unlock. Took to mechanic for repairs; informed needed adjusting; brakes came out of adjustment; called Ford dealer for parts. Happens every 4-6 weeks.”

   NHTSA complaint #814647, filed 1997-07
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and sidewall failure

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 127,027 mi at 11.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2007

   Owners describe the tread peeling off or the sidewall separating from the casing while driving, often at highway speed, in some cases damaging the wheel well or leading to loss of control. Most reports name Firestone Steeltex tires that came on the truck, at sizes around LT215/85R16 and LT235/85R16, several with about 20,000 to 28,000 miles on them. Some owners said the tire maker declined to replace the tires. Typically at highway speeds and often around 11,000 to 28,000 miles on the tires, though several reports give no mileage.

   What to check: Check tire brand, size and DOT date codes, look for sidewall bulges or cracks, and replace any older tires even if tread remains.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took these tires off of the truck when new and install them on my rv trailer where they failed. The firestone dealer said they had 50% tread life left, but would not replace them. (DOT number: vnor1wt134 tiresize: lt235/85/r)”

   NHTSA complaint #732998, filed 2000-09

   “While driving about 60 MPH on the highway, the driver heard a loud bang coming from the driver's side tire and discovered the tread separated from the tire, the consumer lost control of vehicle, causing a collision with a concrete barrier. There were no fatalities. Firestone, steeltex at, p265/75r16.”

   NHTSA complaint #10042495, filed 2003-11, 130,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank leaks and rusty tank straps

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 84,000 mi at 16.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2012

   Owners describe fuel leaking from tank seams, the fuel/water separator housing or from a tank that dropped because the support straps rusted through, with one fleet reporting several leaking separator housings. Complaints also mention fuel forced from the front tank to the rear tank and out the filler neck, and injectors failing so the truck hesitated and shook. The fractured tank and rusty strap reports came at higher mileage. Mostly reported between about 84,000 and 250,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect both tanks and their support straps for rust, seepage or damp spots, and check for fuel smell around the tanks and filler neck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My son had 1 1992,1995,2000 godge minnevan all 3 fuel pumps failed in the fuel tank I have a 1995 motor home tiago 24 foot I am going to replace the fuel pump in th fuel tank as they say a lot of them are failing in hot weather I lived in alaska till 3 years ago will be traveling to mn this summer were it gets hot I feel Ford should pay for the fuel pump I was driving my sons van and about 5 miles out of billings montana the engine stopped and I was on the freeway so that is no nice to happen kennard peterson”

   NHTSA complaint #10125171, filed 2005-06, 39,000 miles

   “Charleston county operates a fleet of 20 ambulances. In the past 60 days we have discovered 5 units that have fuel leaking from the fuel/water separator housing. The cause of the leak appears to be caused by the water sensor shorting and melting/burning a hole into the housing. This allows diesel fuel to leak on to the engine. This fuel can go undetected until a sufficient quantity accumulates to be readily visible. We have discovered this failure because we replace the filters in this housing on self imposed periodic interval. …”

   NHTSA complaint #700642, filed 1998-11
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Diesel engine stalls without warning (camshaft sensor)

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 168,000 mi at 13.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2014

   Owners of 7.3 Power Stroke diesel trucks describe the engine quitting without warning while idling or driving, then restarting as if nothing happened, sometimes repeating within a few miles. One owner reported the shop traced it to the camshaft sensor, and another noted the related recall does not cover this model year. Separately, complaints describe injector cup failure allowing fuel into the cooling system and engine fires under the hood. Mostly on trucks well past 100,000 miles; fire reports cluster around 100,000 to 150,000 miles.

   Recall 06V286000

   What to check: Ask whether the camshaft position sensor has been replaced, check coolant for fuel odor or discoloration, and look for any signs of wiring or underhood fire damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On or about 6-26-06 we were getting off highway and make a turn right after. Coasted around corner and 1995 F-350 7.3 diesel truck died. Was not time to move off the road. Truck was toed to shop and was the camshaft sensor. I know recall doesn't cover 1995, but it should, be looked into, as there are plenty older 7.3 on the road.”

   NHTSA complaint #10211336, filed 2007-12, 223,828 miles

   “Ford F-350,power stroke,injector cup failure, resulting in fuel in the cooling system and consumer not know. The results as you know can become catastrophic, fire ,death, ect. I am a mechanic for cat ,have seen first hand, and also have one of these trucks,there isn't any warning,just over-heats the fuel ,inside the cooling system. Have contacted Ford but was blown off,I've done this kind of work for 20yrs what do I know .”

   NHTSA complaint #10134835, filed 2005-08, 168,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and clutch problems

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2003

   Complaints describe transmissions that stop pulling or burn out clutch packs, one owner reporting a third transmission in the truck, and another describing torque converter trouble that leaked fluid. Some owners report the clutch failing to disengage once the truck warms up, and clutch linkage or hydraulic cylinder failures that left them stranded. Dealers replaced the transmission, converter or linkage in several cases. Reported from roughly 21,000 to 74,000 miles in the complaints that give mileage.

   What to check: Drive the truck cold and warm, check for slipping, delayed engagement or a clutch that will not release, and look for fluid leaks under the transmission; ask about prior transmission work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I told you back in 1996 about this, but you kept putting me off. And I told you about the windshield and transmission. The transmission on ambulance that helped me was a Ford 350 and the transmission had the same problem, me and the driver talked.( DOT number: none tire size: 16 )”

   NHTSA complaint #728830, filed 2000-08

   “While driving and with no warning consumer tried to put vehicle in reverse and the vehicle would not accelerate even when foot was on the accelerator pedal. The vehicles clutch pack and transmission burned out. The vehicle is on it's third transmission. The consumer feels the manufacturer should provide some financial assistance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10038466, filed 2003-10, 74,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the brakes and tires first, since those are the most frequent reports, then check the tanks and straps for rust on older trucks. Service records showing brake and transmission work, and for diesels any camshaft sensor replacement, are worth asking for.

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.