MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford F-250

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford F-250
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:03:31.455Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 123 complaints 1994 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1996 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2008: 195 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2014: 142 complaints 2014 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
1996: 176 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993130
1994123
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008195
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171082
2018382
20191151
2020253
2021158
2022116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 8 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Cruise control switch began smoking, disconnected it and took it to Awesome Ford of Chehalis, WA for recall service sometime in June or July.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230909

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REPLACING THE GLOW PLUGS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140421

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130627

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19960823 — PE (closed 19970127)

SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION

R 19961002 — structure

THE CROSSMEMBER FRAME GUSSETS WERE INSTALLED WITH UNDERSIZED THREADED FASTENERS FOLLOWING A BREAKDOWN OF THE PRODUCTION RIVET GUN THAT IS GENERALLY USED. THIS GUSSET IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE R

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER GUSSET FASTENERS WITH THE SPECIFIED ALTERNATIVE FASTENERS (BOLTS).

Campaign 96V146000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19961211 — equipment

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

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20050912 — vehicle speed control

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

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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

R 20060807 — vehicle speed control

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

1996 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V146000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V161000 (equipment) 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 1998 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford F-250 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford F-250 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford F-250?

The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-250 have?

5 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.