VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1993 Ford F-250 sits mid-pack among F-250 years: 183 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 145, with 9 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (45), brakes (35), and engine (32), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

183

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

3

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other F-250 years?

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System4525%
Brakes3519%
Engine3217%
Transmission2011%
Steering116%
Electrical System84%
Speed Control84%
Suspension74%
Tires & Wheels63%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Other11%
Seats11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 1993 Ford F-250 have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

01I008000Fuel SystemJuly 19, 2001 · 1,556,221 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1990-1993 FORD F-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS AND 4.9, 5.0,5.8, OR 7.5 LITER GASOLINE FUELED ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A CROSS TANK FUEL FLOW CONDITION DUE TO A DAMAGED CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY. FUEL MAY BE SUPPLIED FROM ONE TANK AND SOME OR ALL OF THE UNUSED FUEL MAY BE RETURNED TO THE OTHER TANK.

Consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE CAPACITY OF THE RECEIVING TANK MAY BE EXCEEDED AND FUEL MAY OVERFLOW FROM THE FILLER CAP.

Remedy

FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR POTENTIAL FUEL CROSS-FLOW TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVER WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF A VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS OVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2001. IF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL CROSS-FLOW CONDITION, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

00V424000Fuel SystemDecember 29, 2000 · 275,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DUAL FUEL TANKS. THE CARBON STEEL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IN THE FUEL SYSTEM CAN WEAR OUT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR MALFUNCTIONS, IT CAN CAUSE HIGH FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE, WHICH DAMAGES THE FUEL PUMP CHECK VALVE. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, POSSIBLY OVERFILLING THE NON-OPERATING TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE A STAINLESS STEEL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR INSTALLED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (SEE PREVIOUS NHTSA RECALL 93V-125/FORD RECALL 93S68).

94V169001BrakesSeptember 7, 1994 · 835,791 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy

A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

94V018000Body & StructureJanuary 2, 1994 · 370,000 units

Defect

THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE U-CLIP NUTS FRACTURES, THE BUMPER WILL LOOSEN AND RATTLE CAUSING FRACTURE OF THE REMAINING U-CLIP NUTS, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE BUMPER WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN, A VEHICLE COLLISION COULD RESULT.

Remedy

INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.

93V125000Fuel SystemAugust 2, 1993 · 1,131,000 units

Defect

A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CAUSES A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO THE SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAPACITY OF THE SECOND TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE.

Consequence

SPILLED FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALLATION OF REDUNDANT CHECK VALVES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

CONSUMER WAS FUELING TRUCK WITH GAS WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHOT BACK OUT OF TANK AND WENT ALL OVER HIM; ARMS , STOMACH, ETC. REPORTED THIS TO GAS STATION WHERE HE WAS FILLING HIS TANK AT THE TIME. *AK RECALL 93V125, HOWEVER CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED, CONSUMER WAS INJURED BY THE GASOLINE BURNS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 19, 2000

BRAKE CALIPERS STARTED TO FAIL AT 30,000 MILES. DID NOT GET FIXED UNTIL 40,000 MILES WHEN PROBLEM PROHIBITED THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THEN AT 52,000 THE ENTIRE BRAKE CALIPER SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN, WHICH IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHILE WHEN THIS LAST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND GENTLEMAN WAS HONKING TO GET CONSUMER'S ATTENTION BECAUSE HE NOTICED A GAS LEAK. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND HAD THE CROSS TANK FUEL FLOW CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL REGULATOR REPLACED. *AKDEALER REPLACED UPPER RADIATOR HOSE. *ET

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 14, 1999

CONSUMER HAD 2 REBUILD TRANSMISSIONS PUT IN A YEAR. ONCE VEHICLE WENT INTO OVERDRIVE AND IF THE LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD TO GET TO A DELAER IMMEDIATELY OR TRANSMISSION WOULD BE RUINED. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. BUT, WHEN TEST DRIVEN THEY KNEW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 15, 1998

WHILE STARTING UP TRUCK DRIVE BELT FELL OFF. ALSO, THERE WERE NO BRAKES OR STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT SIX TIMES. CONSUMER INDICATED IF GOING DOWN A HILL VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CRASHED. NEITHER DEALER NOT MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY HELP. *AK *ML

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 30, 1994

1993 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford F-250 reliable?

It is close to typical for the F-250: 183 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1993 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (45 complaints), brakes (35 complaints), engine (32 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Ford F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

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.