Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11 | 8% | 103,000 miles |
| 2013 | 10 | 11% | 62,000 miles |
| 2012 | 39 | 15% | 48,000 miles |
| 2011 | 37 | 15% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 12% | 113,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 13% | 128,000 miles |
| 2008 | 33 | 17% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 12% | 75,000 miles |
| 2006 | 37 | 17% | 107,000 miles |
| 2005 | 43 | 30% | 88,000 miles |
| 2004 | 63 | 41% | 28,000 miles |
| 2003 | 37 | 32% | 35,000 miles |
| 2002 | 34 | 22% | 100,000 miles |
| 2001 | 34 | 15% | 104,000 miles |
| 2000 | 43 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 1999 | 82 | 14% | 136,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 14% | 97,000 miles |
| 1997 | 31 | 10% | 87,000 miles |
| 1996 | 28 | 16% | 125,000 miles |
| 1995 | 35 | 19% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed hauling a trailer, the exhaust manifold dropped raw fuel into the exhaust and it caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The exhaust filter over maximum limit message was displayed. There were no reported injuries, crash , police report or air bag deployment. The fire department was on the scene. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that cylinder one was down and the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the EPF may be damaged and not work. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a message displayed informing the contact that the vehicle was limited to 50 MPH, after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the exhaust gas recycling (EGR) system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21M04. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle entering LIMP Mode message was displayed. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road and have the vehicle towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the EGR cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer stated that the code was not a match for Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: 21M04. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that code did not match the Customer Satisfaction Campaign Number: 21M04. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Travelling north on i25 in new Mexico. Going 60 MPH pulling a 5th wheel trailer. Low fuel pressure light came on and lost power steering. Smoke coming from under hood. Then all warning lights came on and coasted to side of the road. By the time I stopped, the engine compartment was fully engulfed in flames. Tried to release the hood but cable melted. Exited the vehicle and called 911. Passer by loaned me fire extinguishers but fire too hot. Fire department arrived within minutes and extinguished the flames. Truck towed to a holding yard.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated while he was stopped at a traffic signal, he smelled a burning plastic smell. The contact observed that smoke was being emitted from under the vehicle's front end. The contact pulled off the road and parked. As he exited the vehicle, he observed that flames were shooting from under the vehicle. The contact stated that in a few minutes, the flames had engulfed the engine compartment. The fire department was called, and the police had also arrived. The fire was extinguished using water. The police did not filed a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the engine power was significantly reduced and there was a whining sound coming from the engine compartment. While starting the vehicle, there was a high-pitched whining sound heard. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined there was a failure with the fuel pump. The fuel pumps were replaced 4 times, and the front and rear fuel pressure regulators were replaced several times since 2012. The contact was adding coolant to the vehicle every 2 months. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) heater and the sending unit to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the DEF heater to be replaced for the second time. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure for a third time. The contact took the vehicle back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the DEF heater to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure for a fourth time. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle vigorously shuddered. In addition, the contact allowed the vehicle to decelerate independently to come to a stop. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Engine stalling
Twenty five of the odi failure reports are duplicative of Ford complaints.twenty odi reports do not contain a VIN (and May or May not be duplicative of Ford reports).the 14 alleged crashes and 2 alleged injuries were all minor.submitted during preliminary evaluation (pe) 04-070, Ford's response to odi's information request (ir) letter contained about 5,000 consumer reports (mors) and 8,700 field reports (cqis).Ford…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (82), 2004 (63), 2000 (43), 2005 (43) and 2012 (39) model years. Engine complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Ford F-250 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (77 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (62).
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.