MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford F-350

● Typical for this model
1996 Ford F-350
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:33.872Z

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
130
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1989 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 52 complaints 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 96 complaints 1995: 134 complaints 1996: 130 complaints 1996 130 1997: 155 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1999: 413 complaints 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 90 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
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 52 complaints 1992 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 96 complaints 1994 1995: 134 complaints 1996: 130 complaints 1996 130 1997: 155 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1998 1999: 413 complaints 2000: 304 complaints 2000 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 90 complaints 2004: 159 complaints 2004 2005: 114 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 36 complaints 2008: 131 complaints 2008 2009: 28 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 136 complaints 2012: 149 complaints 2012 2013: 76 complaints 2014: 91 complaints 2014 2015: 190 complaints 2016: 187 complaints 2016 2017: 480 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 452 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2020 2021: 88 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 52 complaints 1992 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 96 complaints 1994 1995: 134 complaints 1996: 130 complaints 1996 130 1997: 155 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1998 1999: 413 complaints 2000: 304 complaints 2000 2001: 160 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2002 2003: 90 complaints 2004: 159 complaints 2004 2005: 114 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 36 complaints 2008: 131 complaints 2008 2009: 28 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 136 complaints 2012: 149 complaints 2012 2013: 76 complaints 2014: 91 complaints 2014 2015: 190 complaints 2016: 187 complaints 2016 2017: 480 complaints 2018: 194 complaints 2018 2019: 452 complaints 2020: 182 complaints 2020 2021: 88 complaints

1996: 130 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199131
199252
1993101
199496
1995134
1996130
1997155
199812
1999413
2000304
2001160
2002116
200390
2004159
2005114
2006145
200736
2008131
200928
20100
2011136
2012149
201376
201491
2015190
2016187
2017480
2018194
2019452
2020182
202188

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

24% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Tires

22% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

1996, F-350, crew cab, 4X4, with 35,000 original miles was towing 5TH wheel travel trailer in mountainous area. Exhaust pipes caused the spare tire to catch on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-24

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Power train

14% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle hubs.

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-01

Vehicle that was parked in 3RD gear with emergency brake on rolled away, hit neighbor's garage than stood at a stand still.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-16

Vehicle speed control

9% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. I
    2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
  4. 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 →

  5. 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-350 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V146000 · Structure
  • Recall 96V161000 · Equipment
  • 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-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 service brakes, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-350 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

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