Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% | 26,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% | 11,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% | 14,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% | 87,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% | 0 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 8% | 12,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 5% | 35,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% | 134,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% | 160,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% | 109,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 33% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH with the adaptive cruise control activated, while attempting to decrease the speed, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated to 80 MPH. The contact disengaged the adaptive cruise control however, several unknown warning lights illuminated and adaptive cruise control remained activated. The brake pedal was depressed and the adaptive cruise control disengaged. After restarting the vehicle, the adaptive cruise control performed as designed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
The fan clutch assembly failed and as a result the drive mode would not change from tow/haul mode to any of the other 4 drive modes. Accelerations and decelerations were negatively affected as a result creating safety hazards when driving. The engine was always responding as if a trailer were attached and subsequently accelerations were difficult and decelerations consistently utilized the trailer engine braking system, similar to semi-trucks utilizing the Jake-Braking systems, This is a significant safety issue and needs to have a recall issued for the replacement of these fan clutch assemblies.
On highway for 2 hours, pulling 5th wheel trailer. Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaning alert went on. Immediately truck lost power, a few other alerts flashed on the screen that couldn't read in time then alert that truck was being put in Neutral which it did. Smoke coming out of engine compartment. Barely coasted to stop on side of freeway. Quickly turned from white smoke to brown. Barely enough time to get me, wife and dog out of the cab before flames coming out of engine. Engine and cab completely burned out.
Transmission lunges forward at times even when putting into park position and starting vehicle. Also, when driving down the road vehicle jerks or bucks and throws you forward. Periodically, there is a complete loss of transmission function then you hear large bang and truck jerks forward. This has been reported to Fenton Ford Camden, NY several times and they cannot seem to find issue and stated if it doesnt duplicate happening when they have vehicle there is nothing they can do about it. This has become a serious safety concern when truck jerks forward when starting and park position and lunges forward in traffic. Thank you for your anticipated, cooperation and help resolving this serious safety matter. Thank You, [redacted] - Vehicle Owner
08 Apr 2023 vehicle hit a pot hole and we almost went into ditch when it began to wobble uncontrollably. We were traveling on the hwy and almost caused an accident to the vehicles behind us. Very frightening. 16 Apr 2023, hit a small pot hole vehicle began to wobble uncontrollably, took us again almost into the ditch. It occurred four more times trying to get home from airport. We scared traveling in this vehicle now because of these incidents. We are filing an official complaint on Ford.
We are trying to make it out of the mountains of Colorado and back home to Missouri. We have the most horrific shaking on our truck. I am scared to death. This "death wobble" is TERRIBLE! I want someone to know now in case we die! We have a horse trailer loaded down with 4 horses and 2 dogs. There should be a recall for this!!!! Signed [redacted]
The contact owned a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated to 52 MPH. The contact stated that the RPM level increased to 6000. The contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. In addition, the contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The contact received medical attention at the scene. The following day, the contact went to the hospital for additional treatment. The contact sustained injuries to his ribs and chest, headaches, a swollen right hand, and breathing issues. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 87,000.
I recently replaced a defective reductant (DEF) pump and wiring harness due to corrosion. The cause and repairs were diagnosed and performed by a ford dealership. Without addressing the issue the vehicle would randomly engage a "limp" mode and limit the speed to 50 mph, forcing the driver to operate at unsafe speeds on freeways and highways. Defect is a hazard to driver and other vehicles due to the unpredictable speed control caused by the defective parts. Ford is aware of the defective part and issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-2161.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on March 12, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05V017, 05V388, and 06V286)
NHTSA investigations
Accelerator pedal sensor (etc)
Failure counts from odi?s analysis are stated above; see the additional problem experience discussion in the summary report.Ford data contained duplicative reports for 4 odi complaints and 1 crash.three crashes were allegedly due to intermittent operation of the electronic throttle control (etc) pedal, one crash occurred when an etc disabled vehicle was struck by another motorist, one report contained no detail.the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-350 SD years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (8), 2008 (8), 2003 (7), 2004 (6) and 2016 (6) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 SD acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 09V-399 (vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2009); 07V-078 (vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-350 SD acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (7 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (4).
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.