89 of the
5,142 complaints filed about the Ford F-350 SD
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
89
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
8
Crashes
7
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
I recently replaced a defective reductant (DEF) pump and wiring harness due to corrosion. The cause and repairs were diagnosed and performed by a ford dealership. Without addressing the issue the vehicle would randomly engage a "limp" mode and limit the speed to 50 mph, forcing the driver to operate at unsafe speeds on freeways and highways. Defect is a hazard to driver and other vehicles due to the unpredictable speed control caused by the defective parts. Ford is aware of the defective part and issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-2161.
NHTSA complaint #11751618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charging System Fault. Caused multiple error messages like Forward camera not available, collision avoidance not available. Then Radio goes black and reboots. Several cycles later the dash board goes DARK. No speed or RPM anything visible for 5-10 secs, and on some reboots this Dark dash lasted 30 seconds. Thankfully while traveling at midnight the head lights and tail lights remain on, just no interior lights during these Reboots. New batteries made no difference.
NHTSA complaint #11736993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is not a failed component, the issue is a design interaction issue. This truck when it gets stuck as it unfortunately very easily does even on wet grass goes into a traction control mode where the throttle is VERY damped but the issue is not only is the opening very dampened the closing is also VERY damped. This is made significantly worse by the fact that traction control cannot actually be disabled. There is a switch and it indicates it is disabled but the functionality remains the same. This combination means whenever you're working to get the truck unstuck, like yesterday when it was on wet grass you have to expect that the vehicle will suddenly accelerate as soon as it finds traction. normally you can counteract this by expecting to apply significant brakes as soon as it finds traction but if the front wheels are still on a slippery surface the ABS system will lose it's mind and essentially disable brakes as the vehicle accelerates violently backwards with the new found traction. This combination of software decisions makes it so you can very easily replicate an unintended acceleration scenario where the vehicle jumps back a solid 20' when this happens, not respecting any brake input given by the driver and certainly not respecting that the throttle was released long ago. The throttle closing should not be damped when traction control is running and the ABS system should not be behaving the way it does. I understand getting the vehicle unstuck from wet grass is not normal operation but that's what the traction control disable button should be for and Ford makes that button useless also. When taken together, all these engineering decisions make for a very unsafe situation that has zero reason to exist. I've attached pictures that show the overview of the situation as well as the characteristic ABS marks showing that it was disabling brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11732180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the transmission independently shifted from first gear. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact turned the vehicle off, shifted into neutral, and parked the vehicle in the nearest driveway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that the failure had not reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle drove normally after the initial failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that several attempts were made to contact the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 1,400.
NHTSA complaint #11691078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The fan clutch assembly failed and as a result the drive mode would not change from tow/haul mode to any of the other 4 drive modes. Accelerations and decelerations were negatively affected as a result creating safety hazards when driving. The engine was always responding as if a trailer were attached and subsequently accelerations were difficult and decelerations consistently utilized the trailer engine braking system, similar to semi-trucks utilizing the Jake-Braking systems, This is a significant safety issue and needs to have a recall issued for the replacement of these fan clutch assemblies.
NHTSA complaint #11674531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving with the cruise set I wanted to reduce speed and hit the minus speed button on the cruise control which caused the vehicle to speed up which made me hit it quickly a couple more times to slow it down and it responded by speeding up more and led me to slam on the brakes. Luckily no one was in front of me so I didn’t rear end them when it sped up and no one was behind me that could have rear ended me when I slammed on the brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11656890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New SAFTEY ISSUE .... At about 670 miles on the odometer, the cruise control is acting up, Set cruise control to any speed and within less than a minute it jumps up to another value. I.E. set at 45mph, jumps to 61. Set at 50 mph, it jumps to 61. At 70 mph setting it goes to 86mph!. Replicated this many times today (12/18/2024). It didn't make any difference between Normal, ECO or Tow/HAUL MODES. Testing further demonstrates that the cruise will step up as above after engaging and if you let it run by itself it will make a second jump then a third to 86MPH! Needless to say I didn't check to see what it would do if it hit 86mph!! Not safe to operate. Other than above the cruise had been working fine. BTW, it did matter if lane departure was on or off either as a note. As late as today 12/30/2024 the cruise control continues to act as above. I have not done a factory reset to the sync 4 system either. Will leave that to the dealer. The vehicle is going into the dealer 12/31/2024
NHTSA complaint #11633276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2017 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated to 52 MPH. The contact stated that the RPM level increased to 6000. The contact's vehicle crashed into a tree. In addition, the contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The contact received medical attention at the scene. The following day, the contact went to the hospital for additional treatment. The contact sustained injuries to his ribs and chest, headaches, a swollen right hand, and breathing issues. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #11605076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On highway for 2 hours, pulling 5th wheel trailer. Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaning alert went on. Immediately truck lost power, a few other alerts flashed on the screen that couldn't read in time then alert that truck was being put in Neutral which it did. Smoke coming out of engine compartment. Barely coasted to stop on side of freeway. Quickly turned from white smoke to brown. Barely enough time to get me, wife and dog out of the cab before flames coming out of engine. Engine and cab completely burned out.
NHTSA complaint #11604955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission lunges forward at times even when putting into park position and starting vehicle. Also, when driving down the road vehicle jerks or bucks and throws you forward. Periodically, there is a complete loss of transmission function then you hear large bang and truck jerks forward. This has been reported to Fenton Ford Camden, NY several times and they cannot seem to find issue and stated if it doesnt duplicate happening when they have vehicle there is nothing they can do about it. This has become a serious safety concern when truck jerks forward when starting and park position and lunges forward in traffic. Thank you for your anticipated, cooperation and help resolving this serious safety matter. Thank You, [XXX] - Vehicle Owner INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11600089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We are trying to make it out of the mountains of Colorado and back home to Missouri. We have the most horrific shaking on our truck. I am scared to death. This "death wobble" is TERRIBLE! I want someone to know now in case we die! We have a horse trailer loaded down with 4 horses and 2 dogs. There should be a recall for this!!!! Signed [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11530830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
08 Apr 2023 vehicle hit a pot hole and we almost went into ditch when it began to wobble uncontrollably. We were traveling on the hwy and almost caused an accident to the vehicles behind us. Very frightening. 16 Apr 2023, hit a small pot hole vehicle began to wobble uncontrollably, took us again almost into the ditch. It occurred four more times trying to get home from airport. We scared traveling in this vehicle now because of these incidents. We are filing an official complaint on Ford.
NHTSA complaint #11517330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle was purchased from Shottenkirk Ford new in 2016. They perform my maintenance regularly. Recently, I experienced a leak and took it in; I had it towed to them. Shottenkirk wanted $1200 because they stated that the water pump needed to be replaced. After replacing the water pump, the leak was worse. Shottenkirk wanted $1200 to replace parts they said needed replacing in the transmission cooling portion. They tried to get me to trade in my vehicle for a new one. I could not afford that. After they did that repair, they said there was still a small leak. I tried to head straight home, but the vehicle would not shift into third gear, stranding me in highway traffic. I had to have the vehicle towed back to them. Now, they state that the transmission needs repair and they want $9000. I stated I could not do this and they said I could trade my 2016 Ford Diesel F350 with 4WD with numerous upgrades for a base-model 2008 Honda Ridgeline 2WD with over 100,000 miles. After researching, I believe Ford and Shottenkirk are well aware of the problems with the manufacturing of this truck, and I believe it needs to be addressed at a national level.
NHTSA complaint #11515606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is an "advanced" recall on the clockspring contamination on my vehicle. The local ford dealership is stating that they do not have access to the parts to fix this issue, as it's an advanced warning. The issue is that the truck is having the malfunction. The buttons on the steering wheel do not work, which is now causing me to not be able to see the display b/c it's blocked by a warning, the airbag light is on which is an indication that it does not work. Ford won't look at it without charging $200 for diagnostics and then I will be responsible for paying for the repairs, even if it has to do with the recall. They aren't even sure if the truck can be repaired because they don't have the parts for the repair?????? This is a safety issue, and is basically forcing me to find another vehicle to drive since the airbags are showing they won't work. I also can't use the handsfree phone options since the buttons don't work on the steering wheel. Need to know when the parts are going to actually be available.
NHTSA complaint #11482182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 7 Aug 2022, I lost cruise control, Navigation function (GPS0 and had problems with other elecrical functions on instrument cluster. I took truck to my local ford dealer; they rand Ford diagnostics on truck and it had 3 module errors listed. They cleared the codes and tried to get me to accept the vehicle. Road tested it and there efforts of clearing the codes did not fix any thing. Brought back in shop on 10 Aug 2022. Diagnostics ran again now narrowed it down to APIM failing 3 times in 2 days. Now deallership says they have to order part from California if they have them in stock. This truck only has 22,000 miles on it. Has had multiple failures of equipment for fuel system listing codes P0191 2 and threee times per day. Dealer will NOT attempt to fix that problem. Just says deal with it.
NHTSA complaint #11478786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH with the adaptive cruise control activated, while attempting to decrease the speed, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated to 80 MPH. The contact disengaged the adaptive cruise control however, several unknown warning lights illuminated and adaptive cruise control remained activated. The brake pedal was depressed and the adaptive cruise control disengaged. After restarting the vehicle, the adaptive cruise control performed as designed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #11462735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Ford is under a Customer Satisfaction Program 21B03, and Ford will not honor this for our vehicle, however our truck has the number one planetary and ring gear assembly that has gone out.
NHTSA complaint #11446029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.