Ford F-250 Problems by Year

We compared every Ford F-250 model year from 1995–2014 using 3,772 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 39 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011 and 2006, which drew far more complaints than other F-250 years at the same age. The best years are 2010, 2009 and 2007.

20model years
3,772complaints
39recalls
1999, 2000worst years
2010, 2009best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’141841763045658132622015611615414422160196547324826695142
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-250. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2014142typical—SuspensionAverage
201395−41%—SuspensionGood
20122661.8×1SuspensionCaution
20112481.6×2SuspensionCaution
201073−69%—SteeringGood
200954−68%—SteeringGood
2008196typical5SteeringAverage
200760−62%2SuspensionGood
20062211.6×1SuspensionCaution
2005144−30%—EngineAverage
2004154typical2EngineAverage
2003116−41%2EngineGood
2002156−15%2EngineAverage
20012201.5×4Wheel & TireCaution
20003262.5×5Wheel & TireAvoid
19995814.7×14Wheel & TireAvoid
199856−63%6SuspensionGood
19973042.3×10Wheel & TireAvoid
19961761.2×4Wheel & TireAverage
19951841.4×3BrakeAverage

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

Most common Ford F-250 problems

Latest Ford F-250 recalls

Seats

NHTSA recall 19V-238 · Mar 26, 2019 · 12 vehicles

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford Transit Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2007 Ford F-250-based shuttle vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats.

Remedy: Vantage has notified owners, instructing them to contact Freedman for a repair kit, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 11V-582 · Dec 8, 2011 · 16,091 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from September 9, 2011, through September 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from September 12, 2011, through September 22, 2011.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 22, 2011.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

NHTSA recall 11V-385 · Jul 29, 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford f-150, 2004 model year Ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from June 20, 1995, through August 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently…

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights

NHTSA recall 11V-352 · Jul 13, 2011 · 26,715 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250,…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 11V-128 · Feb 24, 2011 · 8,022 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Ford f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, edge, and Lincoln mkx trucks manufactured from October 25, 2010, through November 20, 2010. These vehicles were inspected using integrated diagnostic system (ids) that had a custom software routine to read the suspect body control module (BCM)…

Remedy: Dealer will inspect the body control module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on March 7, 2011. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

All 39 Ford F-250 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

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

1999, 2000, 2012, 2011, 2006 and 2001 — these years have the most complaints relative to other F-250 years at the same age, led by wheels & tires problems in the 1999.

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

2010 has the fewest complaints compared with other F-250 years at the same age, followed by 2009 and 2007. 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 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (808), suspension (766) and engine & cooling (628). Steering complaints peak in the 2012 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford F-250 had?

39 recalls across 1995–2014. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Ford F-250 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.