1996 Ford F-350 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 6%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 227,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Ford F-350, 6% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 227,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1996 Ford F-350 crew cab with a 7.3 liter powerstroke diesel. The wiring harnesson the intake manafold to controle the glowplugs melts and so does the valve cover gasket of witch the wireing harness passes through it with a plug x's 2 and than the internal wiring harnesses burn up under the valve cover requiring the engine to be dissasembled to the point of the head to replace the components. Further more on the clutch linkage there is a plastic bushing that disintegrates quite often under normal use. Parts are available but the wireing problem is very expensive to fix even yourself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067793, filed 2004-04, 227,000 miles“Turned the ignition, there was a disinct burning smell and the wiring harnesses in the truck was shorted. Some of the wiring and harnesses actually melted. The technician acknowledge that the wiring diagram was incorrect, but they had not gotten around to correcting it.”
NHTSA complaint #9000485, filed 2000-04“Nar 03/13/2003 while driving the consumer pulled over and noticed the entire vehicle with the exception of the rear axle was completely burned. With no prior problems it just caught on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10011731, filed 2003-03“Headlights become inoperable on a intermittent basis without warning. Dealer has been contacted, but was unable to locate source of electrical short. Please provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #8001274, filed 2001-12“There is an electrical problem that relates to speedometer that is causing vehicle to stall. Also, erratic performance of speedometer and inoperative gas gauge. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #872821, filed 2000-10Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 7% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 4% |
| 2011 | 11 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 11% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2005 | 15 | 13% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 11 | 12% |
| 2002 | 14 | 12% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 8 | 6% |
| 1995 | 9 | 7% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 5 | 5% |
| 1992 | 3 | 6% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 10% |
| 1989 | 7 | 17% |
| 1988 | 9 | 31% |
| 1987 | 1 | 13% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford F-350
28 complaintsTires
28 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford F-350
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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