1996 Ford F-350

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford F-350
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:03:11.925Z

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-350 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 52 complaints 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 95 complaints 1994 1995: 134 complaints 1996: 130 complaints 1996 1997: 155 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1998 1999: 413 complaints 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 88 complaints 2004: 159 complaints 2005: 114 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 36 complaints 2008: 131 complaints 2009: 28 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 136 complaints 2012: 149 complaints 2013: 76 complaints 2014: 91 complaints 2014 2015: 190 complaints 2016: 187 complaints 2017: 480 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 452 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021
1996: 130 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199131
199252
1993101
199495
1995134
1996130
1997155
199812
1999413
2000304
2001160
2002116
200388
2004159
2005114
2006145
200736
2008131
200928
20100
2011136
2012149
201376
201491
2015190
2016187
2017480
2018194
2019452
2020182
202188

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 13 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 12 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS: WHILE COMING TO INTERSECTION, PUMPED BRAKES, REARENDED/ LOCKED UP , CAUSED ACCIDENT, VEHICLE HIT PASSENAGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960910

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

OWNER PARKED VEHICLE ON SLIGHT INCLINE, SHIFTED TO PARK, SHUT OFF IGNITION AND LEFT VEHICLE, EMERGENCY BRAKES NOT ENGAGED, MOMENTS LATER VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT 150 FT, CRASHED INTO POLE, VEHICLE WA SSTILL IN PARK WHEN POLICE ARRIVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961001

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

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 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-350 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V146000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V161000 (equipment) 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

▲ 1991 ▲ 2007 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2019 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford F-350 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford F-350 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford F-350?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-350 have?

4 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.