Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 238 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median F-250 year — the 1995 model ranks #15 of 55 F-250 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (49), engine (41), and transmission (37), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
238
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
2
Investigations
12
Crash-involved
20
Fires reported
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 49 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 41 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 37 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 25 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 17 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 15 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 13 | 5% | — flat |
| Steering | 9 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 9 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 7 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 6 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 3 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 0% | ▼ down |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
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.
Defect
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
Defect
THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER HEATING OF THE SUPPORT WIRES COULD RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLE IGNTION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“1998 FORD F150 TRUCK (BRAKES LOCKING WHENEVER FAST BRAKING APPLIED, FORD F250 SAME THING TRUCK WAS WRECKED LAST NIGHT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THANKS GOD NO ONE WAS KILLED ! 1997 FORD MUSTANG SAME PROBLEM ,BRAKES LOCK WHEN FAST PRESSURE IS APPLIED . HELP THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY . OH…”
“ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ON A PARKED 1995 FORD F-250. THE FIRE SPREAD RAPIDLY THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND CAUSED A CAR PARKED NEXT TO THE TRUCK TO CATCH FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR FOR MOUNT PROSPECT, IL, INDICATED THAT IT WAS LIKELY AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAULT.…”
“WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED, DRIVER'S SIDE HUB LOCKED UP AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER CONTACTED, AND PROBLEM REMEDIED UNDER EXTENED WARRANTY *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING ACROSS RAILROAD TRACKS, FRONT END OF VEHICLE VIBRATED AS IF HIT AD TIRE A BLOWOUT, ACCORDING TO DEALER, THREE BOLTS WERE MISSING, REMAINING BOLT LOOSE, DEALER REPLACED ALL BOLTS. *AK”
“EA99032; DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE: A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. SPILLED FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 238 complaints put the 1995 model at #15 of 55 F-250 years. It is one of the F-250 years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (49 complaints), engine (41 complaints), transmission (37 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.