Ford F-250 SD Problems by Year

We compared every Ford F-250 SD model year from 1995–2026 using 6,523 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 69 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2016, which drew far more complaints than other F-250 SD years at the same age. The best years are 2013, 2014 and 2012.

31model years
6,523complaints
69recalls
2019, 2017worst years
2013, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26911392492332882451782542952745414123321225721262962901.2k3981.2k2671661264340179
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-250 SD. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202693.0×7ElectricalAverage
202517typical8BrakeAverage
202440typical4ElectricalAverage
202343−18%16ElectricalAverage
20221261.5×17Fuel SystemCaution
20211661.6×12Fuel SystemCaution
20202672.3×14TransmissionAvoid
20191,1659.4×11SteeringAvoid
20183982.8×9SteeringAvoid
20171,1558.5×14SteeringAvoid
20162902.0×3SteeringCaution
20152961.9×2SteeringCaution
201426−83%—SuspensionGood
201321−86%—EngineGood
201257−64%—EngineGood
2011122−22%—SteeringAverage
201032−79%—SteeringGood
200923−84%—EngineGood
2008141−15%—EngineAverage
200754−65%1SuspensionGood
20062742.0×1SuspensionCaution
20052952.1×3SuspensionAvoid
20042541.7×2EngineCaution
20031781.2×4EngineAverage
20022451.6×3EngineCaution
20012881.7×2EngineCaution
20002331.4×2EngineCaution
19992491.3×2EngineAverage
199739−84%2EngineGood
199611−98%1EngineGood
19959−98%1EngineGood

* Complaints compared with the median F-250 SD year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford F-250 SD problems

Latest Ford F-250 SD recalls

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 26V-653 · Oct 6, 2026 · 102,159 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, F-600, 2026 F-150, and F-750 SD vehicles. The analog cluster's tachometer and speedometer may become stuck or move erratically, providing inaccurate readings to the driver.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed in October 26, 2026.

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 26V-606 · Sep 22, 2026 · 41,748 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Expedition, 2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD vehicles. The headlight assemblies may contain a contaminated LED chip, which can result in a loss of daytime running lights, parking lights, high beams or low beams.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the headlight assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 26V-489 · Jul 28, 2026 · 47,587 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 9, 2026.

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

NHTSA recall 26V-204 · Mar 31, 2026 · 422,613 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Fuel system, diesel › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 26V-158 · Mar 17, 2026 · 9,839 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

All 69 Ford F-250 SD recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford F-250 SD should you avoid?

2019, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2016 and 2015 — these years have the most complaints relative to other F-250 SD years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Ford F-250 SD?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other F-250 SD years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford F-250 SD problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (2,485), suspension (2,211) and engine & cooling (1,012). Steering complaints peak in the 2019 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford F-250 SD had?

69 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Ford F-250 SD recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.