Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Ford f-250 equipped with uniroyal laredo tires, size: 265/75r16 (na). While making a right turn at approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger side tire ruptured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the tread separated and the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 185,000 and the tire failure mileage was 15,000. The dot number was unavailable.
Two out of four kumho tires have failed with a third one on advisement in poor condition. One tire separated in highway traffic at highway velocity. Extensive damage to vehicle, body and fuel system. Verbally and in writing I asked for an investigation into this matter with no action being taken. I have maintenance logs, receipts, pictures, estimates and all email correspondences for your review. On September 10, 2010, upon a visual inspection, the consumer noticed the right rear tire was getting ready to separate. So, he replaced it with only 15, 979 miles on the vehicle. On September 25, 2012, the left rear tire separated at highway speed with 22,642.6 miles on the tire, the approximate tread was 7/32. Updated ivoq 11/19/12
Vehicle was in an accident in which consumer feels the tires were the cause, however none of the tires actually blewout, prior to accident a dealer noticed steelbelts coming through center of the tread, Firestone steeltex tires p235/85r16 dotvd0rtww046.
While towing rv on straight section of interstate right rear tire exploded. Force pushed up rht rear 1/4 panel, tail pipe, wheel housing, canopy. Vehicle did not hit any debris in road to cause tire failure. (dot number: vdor1wt tiresize: lt235/85r1)
On a camping trip I awoke on the morning of 9/30/00 to find the right front tire flat. I installed the spare and when I got home secured replacement Goodyear tires and commenced to install them. Prior to demounting the right front I inflated it to determine where the air was escaping. It appeared to be escaping in an area between the tread pattern. When I demounted the tire I inspected the interior and could see no evidence of a penetration wound and could find no type of foreign object. In my two years working at a tire installation facility (sears) I never encountered a failure of this nature. Needless to say with the events of the past several months at Firestone and my subsequent tire failure my confidence in the Firestone tire company has been seriously eroded. Firestone is now recalling some sixteen inch tires but as yet have not included the 235/85 steeltex. …
The right rear tire experienced complete catastrophic failure while driving the highway at 70mph. The temperature on the day of the failure was approximately 100 degrees. There was sufficent tread on the tire and the pressure was maintained at 70 psi. There was no debris in the road and there were no signs that there were any problems with the tire. When the tire blew out the tread slung upward into the tail pipe driving it into the fender, causing $800.00 worth of body damage. I believe these tires are not receiving the attention of the tires on the Ford SUV's because trucks do not tend to roll over, therefor fatalities are not reported. This does not however negate the fact that Firestone has prodcued a bad tire that I feel should be investigated.( dot number: tire size: 235/85 r16 )
Tires are cracking around the bead on the rim. I have contacted cooper about this and was told my suspension is stiff causing the tire to flex more than normal. I have contacted les schawb, and big o tire companies about this statement, and was told this is totally wrong. Cooper has replaced 4 sets of tires in 2 years. They made sure that dot numbers did not match on three occasions. Cooper has told be I will no longer receive tires becasue I have a load range d tire, and Ford recomends a load range e. The tire I have purchased will carry aprox 500lbs more than the tire Ford recomends. This is why les schwab and big o tires are saying cooper is trying to get out of their responsibility of replacing a defective product. (dot number: 28161-3 tiresize: 285/75/r16)
These 4 tires failed.the center steel chords were showing on all 4 tires upon insptection. I immideatly removed and replaced all the tires. I have one tire left that was a spare serial number 20881urbd96426-4.these tires are the orginal tires bought on a 1996 Ford 250 new at counts Ford, sullivan, mo. I feel that you need to know the information on these tires being that you have had so much trouble with Firestone tires.I replaced these tires out of my pocket myself and can be verifed of their condition by monroe city tire& battery, monroe city, mo 63456.business hwy. 36. (tiresize: 2358516m8)( dot number: tire size: 2358516m8 )
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and heard a thumping noise. He was able to pull over to the shoulder , right front tire tread had separated from the rim. There was a second incident where left rear tire tread had separated the tires. Firestone, steeltex radial#at,#lt2358516e he has contacted Firestone. Tires were replaced by cooper tires, and there were no injuries. First tire separation occured at 25000 miles. The replaced tire failed similarly at 37ooo miles, Firestone dealer pointed out that the tire was out of warranty.
While driving the right rear tread separated from the tire causing damage to the exhaust pipes and wheel well of the vehicle, the tire had 30774 mile on it at the time of failure, the consumer requested reimbursement for the tire and damages but was declined by the manufacturer who stated that the service manager found evidence that the tire was operated for an unknown period of time with insufficient air pressure, the consumer (Firestone steeltex at tires, size lt 235/85r16, dot#vdorraa507, set of four tires was purchased 24-jul-1999). Nlm
Wheel & Tire complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1996 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1996 Ford F-250, 22% of the model year's 176 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford F-250 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1996 Ford F-250, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford F-250 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 134,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.