Ford F-350 Problems by Year

We compared every Ford F-350 model year from 1995–2014 using 2,579 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 37 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1999, 2000 and 1997, which drew far more complaints than other F-350 years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2007 and 2013.

19model years
2,579complaints
37recalls
1999, 2000worst years
2009, 2007best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’11’12’13’14134130155124133041601169015911414536131281361497691
Owner complaints per model year, Ford F-350. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201491−28%—SteeringAverage
201376−42%1SuspensionGood
2012149typical4SteeringAverage
2011136typical4SteeringAverage
200928−84%2SuspensionGood
2008131typical6EngineAverage
200736−73%1SuspensionGood
20061451.2×1SteeringAverage
2005114−26%1Fuel SystemAverage
20041591.3×2EngineAverage
200390−30%2EngineAverage
2002116−23%2EngineAverage
20011601.4×5Wheel & TireAverage
20003042.8×4Wheel & TireAvoid
19994134.0×12Wheel & TireAvoid
199812−87%1Wheel & TireGood
19971551.4×3BrakeCaution
19961301.2×3Wheel & TireAverage
19951341.2×2BrakeAverage

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

Most common Ford F-350 problems

Latest Ford F-350 recalls

Equipment

NHTSA recall 14V-498 · Aug 13, 2014 · 3 vehicles

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Remedy: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 14V-070 · Feb 11, 2014 · 22 vehicles

Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound.

Remedy: Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.

Engine

NHTSA recall 13V-535 · Oct 30, 2013 · 2,951 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 13V-380 · Aug 23, 2013 · 37 vehicles

Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012.

Remedy: Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1-502-426-5210.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 11V-582 · Dec 8, 2011 · 16,091 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from September 9, 2011, through September 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from September 12, 2011, through September 22, 2011.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on December 22, 2011.

All 37 Ford F-350 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

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

1999, 2000 and 1997 — these years have the most complaints relative to other F-350 years at the same age, led by wheels & tires problems in the 1999.

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

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other F-350 years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2013. 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 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (514), wheels & tires (475) and engine & cooling (473). Steering complaints peak in the 2012 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford F-350 had?

37 recalls across 1995–2014. The model year with the most is 1999. See all Ford F-350 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.