MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford F-250

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford F-250
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:48:09.938Z

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
176
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Tires

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1996 176 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 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: 196 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: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1992: 119 complaints 1992 1993: 131 complaints 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1996 176 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1998 1999: 581 complaints 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2004: 153 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 196 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2010: 73 complaints 2010 2011: 248 complaints 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2016: 275 complaints 2016 2017: 1,082 complaints 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2022: 116 complaints 2022
1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 107 complaints 1991 1992: 119 complaints 1993: 131 complaints 1993 1994: 125 complaints 1995: 184 complaints 1996: 176 complaints 1996 176 1997: 304 complaints 1998: 56 complaints 1999: 581 complaints 1999 2000: 326 complaints 2001: 220 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 116 complaints 2003 2004: 153 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 221 complaints 2007: 60 complaints 2007 2008: 196 complaints 2009: 54 complaints 2009 2010: 73 complaints 2011: 248 complaints 2011 2012: 266 complaints 2013: 95 complaints 2013 2014: 142 complaints 2015: 273 complaints 2015 2016: 275 complaints 2017: 1,082 complaints 2017 2018: 382 complaints 2019: 1,151 complaints 2019 2020: 253 complaints 2021: 158 complaints 2021 2022: 116 complaints

1996: 176 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198911
19904
1991107
1992119
1993131
1994125
1995184
1996176
1997304
199856
1999581
2000326
2001220
2002156
2003116
2004153
2005144
2006221
200760
2008196
200954
201073
2011248
2012266
201395
2014142
2015273
2016275
20171,082
2018382
20191,151
2020253
2021158
2022116

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Tires

20% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing diesel and belts and associated pulleys.

FIRE

Power train

12% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle hubs.

CRASH

Steering

10% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing gear box (other than rack and pinion) and pump.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving straight vehicle suddenly made a 45% turn and rear ended another car. Steering column split in half. Consumer lost control of vehicle, went into oncoming traffic before slamming on brakes. Please provide any further information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-26

Service brakes

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1996-08-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-01-27 Separated front suspension
  2. R
    1996-10-02Structure96V146000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the crossmember gusset fasteners with the specified alternative fasteners (Bolts).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1996-12-11Equipment96V161000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
  5. R
    2005-09-12Vehicle speed control05V388000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-08-07Vehicle speed control06V286000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Ford F-250 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V146000 · Structure
  • Recall 96V161000 · Equipment
  • Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V286000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-250 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.