FaultScore

Ford F250 problems

Owners have filed 492 complaints about the Ford F250 with NHTSA across model years 1968 to 1990. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Every Ford F250 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
1990 129 6 14 115,500 Fuel & Propulsion
1989 127 4 17 120,000 Brakes
1988 85 2 16 Electrical System
1987 51 2 14 Electrical System
1986 42 0 19 Electrical System
1985 33 1 9 Electrical System
1984 11 0 7 Electrical System
1983 2 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
1981 1 1 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
1979 1 0 0 Fuel & Propulsion
1978 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1977 3 0 2 Electrical System
1974 2 0 0 Tires
1970 1 0 0 Tires
1968 1 0 0 Tires

What breaks on a Ford F250

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Worst in 1989

Brakes 97 19.7%

Worst in 1989

Worst in 1990

Worst in 1990

Worst in 1989

Tires 34 6.9%

Worst in 1989

Steering 20 4.1%

Worst in 1989

Body & Structure 18 3.7%

Worst in 1988

Suspension 13 2.6%

Worst in 1989

Acceleration & Cruise Control 11 2.2%

Worst in 1989

Seat Belts 8 1.6%

Worst in 1988

Lights 4 0.8%

Worst in 1988

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 0.8%

Worst in 1990

Seats 3 0.6%

Worst in 1989

Exactly what failed on a Ford F250

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Switch 36 17.1%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 29 13.8%
Selector Devices 23 11.0%
Tank Assembly 22 10.5%
Gasoline 21 10.0%
Foundation Components 21 10.0%
Ignition 18 8.6%
Tread/Belt 16 7.6%
Interior/Under Dash 13 6.2%
Seal 11 5.2%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Ford F250, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1995 peak 30 May 2011

Ford F250 problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the Ford F250

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.