1996 Ford F-150
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1990 | 21 |
| 1991 | 304 |
| 1992 | 470 |
| 1993 | 586 |
| 1994 | 676 |
| 1995 | 626 |
| 1996 | 324 |
| 1997 | 2758 |
| 1998 | 1381 |
| 1999 | 1044 |
| 2000 | 1074 |
| 2001 | 1236 |
| 2002 | 820 |
| 2003 | 421 |
| 2004 | 2027 |
| 2005 | 1112 |
| 2006 | 584 |
| 2007 | 487 |
| 2008 | 368 |
| 2009 | 324 |
| 2010 | 840 |
| 2011 | 2179 |
| 2012 | 1771 |
| 2013 | 2956 |
| 2014 | 1497 |
| 2015 | 1638 |
| 2016 | 1976 |
| 2017 | 1379 |
| 2018 | 2218 |
| 2019 | 1270 |
| 2020 | 677 |
| 2021 | 934 |
| 2022 | 554 |
| 2023 | 382 |
| 2024 | 178 |
| 2025 | 97 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 22 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY6% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
I am unsure of what happened. This truck was sitting in my driveway and caught fire. While on fire it kept trying to start even though no one was in it and the keys were no where near it.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230826
ABOUT THREE MINUTES AFTER I PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE TRUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, STEPPED OUTSIDE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ACCOMPANIED BY BILLOWING SMOKE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131129
OUR FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THANK GOD IT DID NOT START OUR NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE ON FIRE. ALSO THANK GOD THAT IT WAS NOT IN OUR GARAGE AT THE TIME. *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20030330
5% of complaints: electrical system — 17 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 10 MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD. BURNED WIRING, ALL PLASTIC UNDER HOOD ON DRIVERS SIDE, HOOD AND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER. CALLED FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030707
4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 14 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:Â 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that while parked in the driveway, she observed fire between the finder and the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240411
4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED BRAKES AND TRUCK DIDN'T STOP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, HAVE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960319
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE SEAT RECLINER TO SEAT FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS ON THESE VEHICLES COULD LOOSEN, FATIGUE AND FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOAM AND/OR FABRIC SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE RECLINER ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT FRAME, INSTALL WASHERS BETWEEN THE SEAT RECLINER AND THE SEAT FRAME AT EACH ATTACHMENT POINT, AND INSTA
Campaign 96E010000 — check if this car was fixed
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER T
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
Campaign 96V161000 — check if this car was fixed
TIE ROD END FAILURES
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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 CONTRO
Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96E010000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V161000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Ford F-150 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford F-150 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford F-150?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control:cruise control, accounting for 7% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-150 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.