Ford F-350 SD Problems by Year

We compared every Ford F-350 SD model year from 1997–2026 using 3,642 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 79 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 2020, 2018 and 2022, which drew far more complaints than other F-350 SD years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2013 and 2012.

29model years
3,642complaints
79recalls
2017, 2019worst years
2014, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’97’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’263142157158124132130217127251011950432997208209574203467189981134145148
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-350 SD. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202682.0×6ElectricalAverage
202514typical7TransmissionAverage
2024451.7×3ElectricalCaution
202341typical15ElectricalAverage
20221132.0×17ElectricalAvoid
2021981.4×14Fuel SystemCaution
20201892.3×15TransmissionAvoid
20194675.1×11SteeringAvoid
20182032.1×9SteeringAvoid
20175745.5×13SteeringAvoid
20162091.9×3SuspensionCaution
20152081.7×3SteeringCaution
20147−92%4SuspensionGood
20139−91%9EngineGood
201229−73%9SuspensionGood
201143−59%7EngineGood
201050−67%6SuspensionGood
200919−81%4Wheel & TireGood
2008101typical—EngineAverage
200725−77%1SteeringGood
2006127typical1SteeringAverage
20052172.0×3EngineAvoid
2004130typical2EngineAverage
20031321.2×4EngineAverage
2002124typical3EngineAverage
20011581.4×2EngineAverage
20001571.2×2Wheel & TireAverage
1999142typical2Wheel & TireAverage
19973−98%2AccelerationGood

* Complaints compared with the median F-350 SD year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford F-350 SD problems

Latest Ford F-350 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.

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.

Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft

NHTSA recall 26V-119 · Mar 3, 2026 · 11,431 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2025 F-250 SD and F-350 SD vehicles. The driveshaft friction weld may fail, resulting in rear driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driveshaft serial number and replace the driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2026.

All 79 Ford F-350 SD recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford F-350 SD should you avoid?

2017, 2019, 2020, 2018, 2022 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other F-350 SD years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2017.

What is the best year for the Ford F-350 SD?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other F-350 SD years at the same age, followed by 2013 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-350 SD problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (1,090), suspension (868) and engine & cooling (588). Steering complaints peak in the 2017 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford F-350 SD had?

79 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Ford F-350 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.