Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 44% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 12% | — |
| 2024 | 10 | 25% | — |
| 2023 | 13 | 30% | 1,000 miles |
| 2022 | 19 | 15% | 11,000 miles |
| 2021 | 18 | 11% | 52,000 miles |
| 2020 | 27 | 10% | 10,000 miles |
| 2019 | 32 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% | 33,000 miles |
| 2017 | 54 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 9% | 54,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 14% | 18,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 18% | 40,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% | 63,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% | 47,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 6% | 49,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2005 | 32 | 11% | 77,000 miles |
| 2004 | 56 | 22% | 81,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 29 | 12% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 39 | 14% | 79,000 miles |
| 2000 | 23 | 10% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 34 | 14% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 15% | 89,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 9% | 104,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 22% | 196,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have a 2026 F-250 diesel with 6K miles on it that caught fire about 3-5 minutes after using it to jumpstart a UTV. I ensured to cook all cables up correctly, as I've jumpstarted many times, but the first time with this vehicle, utilizing the drivers side battery. Jumping the UTV went just fine as expected, and I disconnected the cables and shut the truck hood with no sparks, smoke, or flames at the time. Within 3-5 minutes, I noticed there were flames coming from inside my truck at the center dashboard area. We attempted to extinguish the fire ourselves, but the fire department was ultimately called. If my son had not gotten out of the truck to get into the UTV with me, he would have been in the back seat when the fire started. The truck was pulled close to my barn when the fire started, which caused damage to the barn. …
Truck lost all electrical power while backing a trailer up. Engine died, no steering, no brakes, no power on dash, no emergence brakes, no power to door locks, no power to windows. If vehicle had been moving any faster no telling what could have been. Vehicle was towed to ford dealership and zero reasons for such a total loss of power. When vehicle was finely stopped and put in park the key was turned off and then when turned back on power was restored. Very disturbing to know a vehicle can lose total electrical power and have no control whatsoever and no one can tell you the cause
On numerous times when you start the truck there is a delay from when you engage drive and the drivetrain gets power. To the point that 1 time the truck rolled back into another destroying their bumper.
Automatic Emergency Braking engaged while the vehicle was in neutral tow. Resulted in 2 rear blown tires and damaged rims on vehicle.Attached the F250 correctly to the motorhome and confirmed truck was in neutral tow. Starting pulling the F250 and confirmed by looking at mirrors on the motorhome and rear camera that the wheels on the F250 were rolling both front axel and rear axel. After several blocks felt a hard tug while driving the motorhome, looked in the side mirror and rear camera and noticed smoke coming from rear tires. We pulled over on highway and stopped towing the vehicle. Went back to truck open the driver door and the dash was reading vehicle was still in neutral tow. Called a tow truck. The F250 truck was towed to the Moss Ford dealership. Ford dealership never neutral towed the F250 so they were unable to recreate the situation. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-250 SD. The contact had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle and the vehicle had been back to the dealer for repairs for more than 70 days. The contact stated that the instrument cluster failed to properly illuminate, and it was difficult to see the information on the instrument cluster. The contact also stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up in one motion. The contact stated that the window would stop halfway up and had to be rolled back down first and then another attempt had to be made to roll the window up for the window to operate as needed. Additionally, the back over prevention and trailer park assists system functions failed to operate as needed. …
The instrument panel cluster has failed. You can not see how fast you are going, none of the dash is lit up. You are unable to determine if there are any issues going on with the vehicle. The adaptive cruise control and emergency braking system is not working properly. The battery will also not hold a charge. Our safety is at risk as we don't know what is going on with the fuctions of the truck or if it will start. Yes, ford has confirm this problem and issued a recall. The dealership has inspected the vehicle. There were no warnings of the problem before it occurred. The instrument panel and other functions of the vehicle just stopped working. We are in contact regularly with the dealership and Ford. Initially they placed us in a long term rental since the current Truck is not driveable however, they are wanting to terminate that rental and not provided us with the needed vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-250SD. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the trailer brakes failed to operate as designed in stopping the vehicle. The contact stated that a wiring harness fault message was displayed. The contact was able to use the stop the vehicle and trailer with the conventional brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the brake control was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time, but the contact was unsure what was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V193000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was 10,715.
Loss of power windows,loss of A/C and heat,loss of turn signals,loss of radio,and loss of head lights. As well as engine not shutting off after key is pulled out. The first initial problems arose a year ago, not long after purchasing a 2022 Ford f250 superduty. Only when it rained or during very cold days the power to the front dash would be out including power windows and locks,radio, and A/C and heat. Ford dealership was unable to diagnose the problem. A year down the road,directly following a hard rain, the engine would not shut off when turning the key and removing it. I had to pull the fuel pump relay fuse from under hood to get the truck to shut off. After removing the lid, which was way too easy to take off, I noticed that all th box fuses were submerged in water. …
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, and 2025 F-150 vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
Remedy: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025.
Electrical system › Integrated trailer brake control
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-193.
Remedy: Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Escape, Super Duty F-250, Super Duty F-350, Super Duty F-450, and Super Duty F-550 vehicles equipped with a digital instrument panel cluster. The module may have been improperly soldered, preventing the instrument panel from illuminating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Electrical system › Integrated trailer brake control
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Due to a software error, a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system may not brake.
Remedy: Dealers will update the integrated trailer brake control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 1 more recall
Electrical system › Wiring
Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0l diesel engines May experience stalling without warning while driving and May or May not restart.
Remedy: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2005.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Engine stalling
In a June 7, 2005 letter, Ford notified odi that it would be conducting a safety recall of approximately 180,000 Ford f-super duty, excursion and e-series vehicles equipped with 6.0l diesel engines to correct two wiring related conditions that could result in engine stall (NHTSA recall no. 05v-270, Ford no.
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect.
Power tailgate opens unintended
By letter dated December 4, 2019, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a safety defect that may exist in model years (MY) 2017 through 2019 Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450 vehicles equipped with an electric tailgate.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 SD years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (56), 2017 (54), 2001 (39), 1999 (34) and 2005 (32) model years. Electrical complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 SD electrical problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 26V-653 (instrument cluster/panel, Oct 6, 2026); 25V-540 (instrument cluster/panel, Aug 22, 2025); 25V-132 (integrated trailer brake control, Feb 28, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 SD electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring (44 mentions), followed by the ignition (17).
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.