VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford F-250 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other F-250 Sd years?

F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted381 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 12 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 52 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 304 complaints2000: 277 complaints2001: 331 complaints2002: 282 complaints2003: 229 complaints2004: 345 complaints2005: 381 complaints2006: 353 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 175 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 189 complaints2012: 97 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 37 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 15 complaints2017: 119 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 76 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 19 complaints2026: 13 complaints
F-250 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Ford F-250 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine436%
Speed Control218%
Tires & Wheels218%
Brakes19%
Electrical System19%
Fuel System19%

Does the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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 DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

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 AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC MY CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING MY DIESEL ENGINE TO SHUT OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. THIS ACTION ALMOST CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 28, 2008

“KUMHO KL78 245/75R16 LOAD RANGE E TIRE. PURCHASED A SET OF KL78 TIRES IN NOVEMBER 2011 FOR MY 3/4 TRUCK. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE I HAVE PUT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK / TIRES. THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED LARGE DEFORMATION ACROSS THE TREAD CAP, LIKE A BULGE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 6, 2014

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON FEBRUARY 27, 2004 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT STARTED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. FORD F250 1996. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TEN TO TWELVE HOURS. FORD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED A CERTAIN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 27, 2004 · fire

“1996 F-250 CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE ON VACATION, AND AFTER NOT BEING USED FOR 4 DAYS. FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THE FIRES CAUSE AND ORIGIN TO BE THE SPEED DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE REPAIRED. NOTICE WAS REC'D IN LATE AUGUST 2006, APPOINTMENT MADE FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2006 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FILTER HOUSING CRACKED AND LEAKED DIESEL FLUID FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ASSUMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS CAUSING THE LEAK. AFTER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 10, 2009

1996 Ford F-250 Sd — common questions

Is the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1996 F-250 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Ford F-250 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 2002, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2008, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2023, 2015, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among F-250 Sd years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.