Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 191 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median F-350 year — the 1995 model ranks #13 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 54 reports (28% of the total).
191
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
1
Investigations
9
Crash-involved
18
Fires reported
13
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 54 | 28% | — flat |
| Engine | 34 | 18% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 20 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 14 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 12 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 12 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 11 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Other | 6 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 5 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | new |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Trailer Hitch | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | new |
3 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
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.
“WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP, THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP AND THE BACK BRAKES DO NOTHING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO ANOTHER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT AN INSPECTION REPORT WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF…”
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AND DISCOVERED THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING A COLLISION WITH A CONCRETE BARRIER. THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. FIRESTONE, STEELTEX AT,…”
“I TOLD YOU BACK IN 1996 ABOUT THIS, BUT YOU KEPT PUTTING ME OFF. AND I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD AND TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION ON AMBULANCE THAT HELPED ME WAS A FORD 350 AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, ME AND THE DRIVER TALKED.( DOT NUMBER: NONE TIRE SIZE: 16 )”
“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED; LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE. THE PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SOURCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK ”
NHTSA data argues against it: 191 complaints put the 1995 model at #13 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (54 complaints), engine (34 complaints), tires & wheels (20 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.