Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 3.0× | 3 | Brake | Few |
| 2018 | 0 | −50% | 5 | — | Few |
| 2016 | 3 | 1.7× | 3 | Engine | Few |
| 2015 | 1 | −40% | 4 | Brake | Few |
| 2011 | 1 | −40% | 3 | Electrical | Few |
| 2009 | 1 | −40% | 3 | Brake | Few |
| 2008 | 2 | −40% | 4 | Brake | Few |
| 2007 | 5 | 2.0× | 1 | Electrical | Few |
| 2005 | 6 | 2.7× | 2 | Brake | Average |
| 2004 | 10 | 3.7× | 2 | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median F-650 SD year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Ford F-650 SD problems
Latest Ford F-650 SD recalls
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
Marathon Industries Inc. (Marathon Industries) is recalling one 2025 Ford F-650 SD vehicle. The deck pins may break, resulting in the liftgate platform falling.
Remedy: Marathon Industries will work with the supplier, Hiab, to inspect the platform bushings and hydraulic systems and replace the deck pins, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2026.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-Super Duty F-650 and F-750 vehicles. The front axle tie rod assemblies may contain ball studs that have been incorrectly heat-treated, which can cause them to break, and possibly result in tie rod failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front axle tie rod assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Internal › Park pawl
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Ford E-350, F-650, and F-750 vehicles. The park pawl may not fully engage the park gear due to a casting defect in the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, or the valve body and extension housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2024.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Excellance, Inc. (Excellance) is recalling certain 2018 Ambulances and Emergency Vehicles built on Ford E-350, E-450, F-650, F-550 4x4, Chevrolet G4500, G4500 Diesel, C3500, G3500, Freightliner M2, International 4300, and Dodge 4500 chassis and equipped with Whelen brake lights.
Remedy: Excellance has notified owners, instructing them to contact Whelen to have the brake lights replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2019.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Custom Fab & Body LLC (Custom Fab & Body) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-650 XLT Crew Cab, 2017-2018 International 7500 4x4, and 2018 International 7500 4x2, Freightliner M2-112 and M2-106, and Kenworth T-370-based emergency vehicles equipped with Whelen brake lights.
Remedy: Custom Fab & Body has notified owners, instructing them to contact Whelen for replacement lights, free of charge. The recall began April 11, 2019. Owners may contact Whelen customer service at 1-860-526-9504.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Ford F-650 SD should you avoid?
None of the Ford F-650 SD years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Ford F-650 SD?
2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other F-650 SD years at the same age, followed by 2011 and 2015. 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-650 SD problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (14), engine & cooling (6) and wheels & tires (4). Brake complaints peak in the 2025 model year.
How many recalls has the Ford F-650 SD had?
26 recalls across 2004–2025. The model year with the most is 2018. See all Ford F-650 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.