2000 Ford F Super Duty Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about two very different things: steering that becomes very hard to turn when the brakes are applied at low speed, and tires that crack, bulge or lose their tread. A third recurring theme is a spark plug coming out of the cylinder head, usually at higher mileage. Many of the oldest complaints date from the truck's first years of service, while the tire reports carry a wide range of odometer readings.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering goes hard or locks when braking at low speed

   • 12 complaints (19%)
   • median 65,285 mi at 3.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners describe the steering wheel becoming very difficult or impossible to turn while the brake pedal is held, especially when parking, idling, backing up, or braking hard in traffic. Several say the power steering assist is shared with the brakes, so applying the brakes removes the assist. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits where the truck was described as behaving normally, with a power steering pump replaced in some cases. Mostly reported in the first two years of ownership at low speeds; mileage is rarely given in these complaints.

   What to check: Drive the truck slowly and, in a clear space, hold the brakes and try turning the wheel to see how much effort is needed. Ask whether the power steering pump or hydroboost system has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving up the hill towards tacoma just off the bridge. Traffic stopped suddenly and I had to lock my brakes. When I locked them the truck would not turn either way until I let off the brake more. It seems when the tires are not moving very fast that the power steering will not work. It was a very scary situation and this is not the first time it has happened. I have a hard time turning in to parking spaces also when the truck is not moving quickly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #747398, filed 2001-06

   “I have found on numerous occasions that if you hit your brakes to avoid something at speeds under 40 MPH you cannot steer at the same time! Yesterday I almost ran over a sea wall into the ocean when I was braking in a 45 degree corner and tried to steer around it. This has happened other time while trying to avoid other autos, animals ect. But never this bad. I have since driven 2 other trucks of the same body style in our campground and they exibit the same problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #762485, filed 2002-05
2. 2
   Engine

   Spark plug ejected from cylinder head

   • 13 complaints (21%)
   • median 99,450 mi at 8.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Owners describe a loud bang, a sudden loss of power and sometimes a broken coil or boot when a spark plug comes out of the cylinder head. Complaints mention the plug threads stripping and repairs using a thread insert or, in some cases, head replacement. Some owners report the same thing happening more than once on the same truck. Typically reported between about 60,000 and 145,000 miles, sometimes while towing or at highway speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any plug threads have been repaired and with what method, and have a mechanic listen for a miss or ticking at the plug area before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has blown out a spark plug on two separate occasions while on the freeway almost causing a accident on both incidents. I know that this is a major problem do to what I have found on-line. There is even a company that makes a repair kit and it is only a matter of time before someone is stranded in a remote area which will be very dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #10139500, filed 2005-10, 85,000 miles

   “I've had two spark plugs blow out of the engine. Both on driver side. Tearing up their boot and breaking off the coil. The cost to replace the boot and coil is aprox 50+ each time. First time I was driving aprox 35mph when it blew out the second time aprox 45mph. 2000 Ford f250 gas engine super duty extend a cab.”

   NHTSA complaint #10363957, filed 2010-11, 124,000 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire sidewall cracks, bulges and tread separation

   • 12 complaints (19%)
   • median 106,508 mi at 5.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2017

   Complaints describe sidewall cracks appearing early in tire life, bubbles on the inner sidewall, and tread or sidewall separating at highway speed. Several owners say a tire shop or the tire maker assessed the damage and declined to cover it. Some reports involve tires delivered on the truck when new, others tires fitted afterward. Reported from around 9,000 miles up to well past 150,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

   What to check: Inspect all tires inside and out for cracks, bulges or uneven tread, check the DOT date codes, and ask how old the current tires are.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have previously complained to this site and the firestone customer relations of my steeltex a/t tire cracking on the side wall. I was told to have them checked at a firestone dealer and I was told the integrity of the tire was not compromised. On july 7, 2004, my family and I were almost killed (minor injury) when the right front firestone steeltex a/t tire exploded, the tread separated from the tire as we were traveling 70 miles an hour on I-85 north. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10080558, filed 2004-07, 45,111 miles

   “While driving east on interstate 40 in barstow, ca the firestone steeltex radial a/t lt265-75r16 123/1200 load range e m/s tire on the left rear of my Ford f-250 super duty had a tread separation. No injuries but damage suffered to the wheel well and undercarriage. Then, on july 19, 2003 we noticed a bulge on the left front tire. Upon examination it appears to be the beginning of another tread separation. We have digital pictures of both tires and are still in possession of the 2nd tire with the bulge.”

   NHTSA complaint #10029047, filed 2003-07, 46,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front hub and wheel bearing noise or failure

   • 7 complaints (11%)
   • median 79,180 mi at 6.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2011

   Complaints describe front hub bearings locking up, running loose or failing with little warning, sometimes accompanied by an ABS warning light or a sudden veer. Owners report replacing hubs and seals at their own cost and hearing from others with similar mileage and the same repair. Related reports mention cracked factory aluminum wheels. Mostly reported between roughly 45,000 and 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check for play, noise or heat at the front wheels during a test drive and look closely at the wheels for cracks; ask if the hubs or bearings have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2000 f-250 4x4 front hub: I had to change both front hubs on my 2000 4x4 f-250 with only 62,790 miles and the bearing locked-up on one side and the other was loose. It cost me $ 1,225.00 to replace the hubs and seals, each hub cost 408.00 and each seal cost 38.00 from Ford. I talked to 2 other people with a Ford 4x4 and thay had the same problem. I think Ford should pay for the cost because it has only 62,790 miles on my truck and the other people ,one had 46,000 miles and the other had 74,000 miles . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086278, filed 2004-08, 62,790 miles

   “Front wheel hub bearing, catastrophic failure. With almost no preceding evidence of a problem, the right front wheel hub bearing failed, causing the tow vehicle, Ford f350 drw 6x6, to abruptly veer from side to side. The stabilizing anti-sway equipment that connected the truck to the 34' travel trailer enabled me to keep from inadvertently exiting a 200' high bridge. Events leading up to the abrupt failure was the appearance of the ABS warning light. We stopped to check the wheels for excessive heat, and noted no pulling or noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10073194, filed 2004-05, 95,570 miles

Buying note. Check the steering feel under braking and the condition and age of the tires first, since those come up most often. On higher-mileage trucks, ask specifically about spark plug thread repairs and front hub or bearing work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 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.