1994 Ford F-250
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 107 |
| 1992 | 119 |
| 1993 | 131 |
| 1994 | 125 |
| 1995 | 184 |
| 1996 | 176 |
| 1997 | 304 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 581 |
| 2000 | 326 |
| 2001 | 220 |
| 2002 | 156 |
| 2003 | 116 |
| 2004 | 153 |
| 2005 | 144 |
| 2006 | 221 |
| 2007 | 60 |
| 2008 | 195 |
| 2009 | 54 |
| 2010 | 73 |
| 2011 | 248 |
| 2012 | 266 |
| 2013 | 95 |
| 2014 | 142 |
| 2015 | 273 |
| 2016 | 275 |
| 2017 | 1082 |
| 2018 | 382 |
| 2019 | 1151 |
| 2020 | 253 |
| 2021 | 158 |
| 2022 | 116 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
26% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH FIRE INJURY21% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
TRANSMISSION BELT LEAKED FLUID IN THE ENGINE RESULTING IN A ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE PE94-089. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19960308
WHILE SITTING IN PARK POSITION TRUCK BEGAN TO ROLL AND ROLLED OVER AN ENBANKMENT AND WAS TOTALED. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950905
15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
FIRE11% of complaints: suspension — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.
10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
RECALL 05V017000 CONCERNING SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THE FIRE NEAR THE A/C UNIT AREAS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050405
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WIRE. CONSUMER REPLACED THE SWITCH AT COST OF $20.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20050131
SAFETY TIMELINE
THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR IS SLAMMED WHILE THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION.
Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR.
Campaign 93V155000 — check if this car was fixed
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULES INTENDED FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OVER 8,500 BLS. GVWR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
Campaign 93V184000 — check if this car was fixed
THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.
Campaign 94V018000 — check if this car was fixed
IN A HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLE, WHILE IN THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT REDUCE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE LOAD ON THE ENGINE IS DECREASED (SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE CRESTS A HILL.) THIS CAN RESUL
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
Campaign 94V101000 — check if this car was fixed
TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS
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.
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 W
Campaign 94V169001 — check if this car was fixed
FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT
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 RESULT
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 HA
Campaign 96V064000 — check if this car was fixed
SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
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 WILDERN
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.
Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed
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 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
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
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 05
Campaign 06V286000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1994 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 93V155000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 93V184000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V018000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V101000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V169001 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V064000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V286000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1994 Ford F-250 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford F-250 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford F-250?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford F-250 have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.