1996 Ford F-350 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 12%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Ford F-350, 12% of the 130 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When our transmission went out, we had it fixed, but had to keep returning it to the shop because a valve would stick after driving a couple of days. I called many Ford dealers, and they all said the transmission on that truck should never go out. I conta”
NHTSA complaint #701709, filed 1998-12“Coming back from alaska, pulled over to a camp ground, went to put vehicle gear into drive, and shift lever went up and down. Contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and was told that had routed the cable wrong, cable was lying against exhaust pipe, causing the cable to burn in half and was not able to shift.”
NHTSA complaint #847003, filed 1999-09“Front hubs not locking in, causing loss of 4-wheel drive. Dealer has been notified. Consumer stated that the 4 wheel drive stuck. Also the transfer case and transmission were going in but no power in front wheels. The dealer said this was a factory default.”
NHTSA complaint #8014285, filed 2002-07“Consumer is having problems with the serpentine belt. It keeps of coming off and as a result, there is a lost of the brakes and steering. This has happened twice while driving the vehicle. Dealer was contacted. Ph”
NHTSA complaint #10004282, filed 2003-01“4 wd never worked, but did not realize until warranty out; ball joints kept going out, had to be fixed twice, auto transmission went out shortly after warranty out, were told was faulty trans. And ave. Of 1 per day throughout us were going out, that Ford was switching to different type transmission in future. Trans. Repair contacted Ford to see if they would fix it since it was close to warranty mileage, they refused. We have since heard many stories of other owners having same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #723257, filed 2000-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 8% |
| 2013 | 5 | 7% |
| 2012 | 9 | 6% |
| 2011 | 9 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 11% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 10 | 9% |
| 2001 | 17 | 11% |
| 2000 | 28 | 9% |
| 1999 | 64 | 16% |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% |
| 1997 | 21 | 14% |
| 1996 | 15 | 12% |
| 1995 | 14 | 10% |
| 1994 | 22 | 23% |
| 1993 | 15 | 15% |
| 1992 | 8 | 15% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 5 | 13% |
| 1989 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 13% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford F-350
28 complaintsTires
28 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsElectrical system
8 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 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