Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2025 | 4 | 29% | 16,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 11% | 110,000 miles |
| 2023 | 4 | 10% | 192,000 miles |
| 2022 | 15 | 13% | 66,000 miles |
| 2021 | 16 | 16% | 93,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 7% | 120,000 miles |
| 2019 | 20 | 4% | 84,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 4% | 72,000 miles |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% | 26,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 12% | 53,000 miles |
| 2015 | 40 | 19% | 53,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 22% | 1,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 28% | 45,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 33% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 18% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 31 | 31% | 44,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 2006 | 21 | 17% | 64,000 miles |
| 2005 | 56 | 26% | 42,000 miles |
| 2004 | 49 | 38% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 55 | 42% | 30,000 miles |
| 2002 | 44 | 35% | 67,000 miles |
| 2001 | 40 | 25% | 80,000 miles |
| 2000 | 43 | 27% | 92,000 miles |
| 1999 | 32 | 23% | 102,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 33% | 150,000 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 2025 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) level reading became inoperable with the message "500 Miles to Empty - Refill Soon" displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the DEF gauge had been replaced by the dealer. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,512.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350SD. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "499 Miles remaining of DEF" was displayed. The contact indicated that the message was displayed even though the DEF was 75% FULL. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F 350 SD. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty coolant temperature sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Power Ford (1101 Monta o Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107); however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that there was a misfire in cylinders #6 and #8. The dealer later determined that the misfire was in cylinders #6 and #7. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil change warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle received an oil change; however, the oil change warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the oil change warning light was illuminated whenever the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and the sensor was reset. In addition, the contact was informed that an unknown module needed to be reprogrammed; however, the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) message was displayed; with the "Default See Owner's Manual" displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The dealer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 192,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and pulling a trailer, the parking warning alert suddenly displayed on the dashboard, and moments later, a flashing check engine light was activated. While driving to the side of the road to park, smoke and flames began to come from under the passenger side of the front hood of the vehicle. The occupants immediately exited the vehicle, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was completely destroyed, and the trailer had sustained severe fire damage to the front end. A police report was taken at the scene, and both the vehicle and trailer were towed away. No injuries were reported, but both the driver and passenger were severely stressed mentally from the incident. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350. The contact stated the check engine warning would illuminate on cold starts and would remain illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Reductant Heater and Sender Assembly on the 6.7L diesel engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program Number: 18M01(Reductant Heater and Sender Assembly Repair). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
Related recalls (2)
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord,…
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
The cam position sensor (cps) provides a critical signal to the subject vehicle (sv) engine management system, the loss of which results in an engine stall.during pe06-011, Ford stated in their response to odi that it is continuing to investigate allegations of cps related engine stall and further advised that an update will be provided upon completion of the investigation.Ford data shows that 20% of the 716,000 svs…
Engine stalling
In a December 3, 2007 letter, Ford advised NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall to replace the cam position sensor (cps) in approximately 1.2 million subject vehicles to address reports of engine stalling.a new design cps with improved performance and durability will be installed as a remedy.owner notifications will begin in December 2007.
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-350 SD years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (56), 2003 (55), 2004 (49), 2002 (44) and 2000 (43) model years. Engine complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 SD engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-278 (engine, Apr 8, 2019); 07V-553 (diesel, Dec 5, 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 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › diesel (153 mentions), followed by the engine (63).
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.