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Ford F-250 SDYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 6,550 NHTSA owner complaints across 34 model years, the Ford F-250 SD years to avoid are 2017 and 2019, and the strongest years are 1997, 2010, 2012 and 2014. The F-250 SD has 70 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoid'17 '19Use caution: 2018Best years'97 '10 '12 '14Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints6,550Top: SteeringSafety recalls701993–2026 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Ford F-250 SD years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-250 SD median. Tap a year for its full report.

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2026Too new–/1009 complaints · 8 recalls2025Too new–/10017 complaints · 8 recalls2024Solid65/10041 complaints · 4 recalls2023Best68/10044 complaints · 16 recalls2022Solid50/100130 complaints · 17 recalls2021Solid51/100171 complaints · 12 recalls2020Solid43/100272 complaints · 14 recalls2019Avoid16/1001,166 complaints · 11 recalls2018Caution38/100400 complaints · 9 recalls2017Avoid20/1001,155 complaints · 14 recalls2016Solid48/100291 complaints · 3 recalls2015Solid48/100296 complaints · 2 recalls2014Best90/10026 complaints · 0 recalls2013Not rated–/10021 complaints · 0 recalls2012Best84/10057 complaints · 0 recalls2011Best68/100122 complaints · 0 recalls2010Best88/10032 complaints · 0 recalls2009Not rated–/10023 complaints · 0 recalls2008Solid65/100141 complaints · 0 recalls2007Best83/10054 complaints · 1 recall2006Solid50/100274 complaints · 1 recall2005Solid48/100295 complaints · 3 recalls2004Solid49/100254 complaints · 2 recalls2003Solid58/100178 complaints · 4 recalls2002Solid48/100245 complaints · 3 recalls2001Solid46/100288 complaints · 2 recalls2000Solid48/100233 complaints · 2 recalls1999Solid48/100249 complaints · 2 recalls1998Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1997Best84/10039 complaints · 2 recalls1996Not rated–/10011 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/1009 complaints · 1 recall1994Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Ford F-250 SD problems

All model years combined: 6,550 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering248951
Suspension221236
Engine and engine cooling69446
Electrical system50275
Power train45926
Engine33236
Wheels2847
Tires24620
Fuel/propulsion system23025
29 other systems1554188
70 recalls

Ford F-250 SD recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Tailgate: hinge and attachments26V-689 · 2026 · Oct 20, 2026 · 30,123 vehicles–Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel26V-653 · 2025–2026 · Oct 6, 2026 · 20,266 vehicles–Exterior lighting: headlights26V-606 · 2026 · Sep 22, 2026 · 28,625 vehicles–Back over prevention: display function26V-489 · 2023–2026 · Jul 28, 2026 · 47,587 vehicles16%Windshield wiper/washer: linkages26V-204 · 2022–2023 · Mar 31, 2026 · 422,613 vehicles50%Delivery: fuel pump26V-158 · 2020–2022 · Mar 17, 2026 · 9,839 vehicles64%Axle assembly: axle shaft26V-119 · 2025–2026 · Mar 3, 2026 · 11,431 vehicles84%Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control26V-104 · 2022–2026 · Feb 20, 2026 · 4,381,878 vehicles83%Axle assembly: axle shaft25V-866 · 2026 · Dec 12, 2025 · 6,819 vehicles57%Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly25V-729 · 2022 · Oct 24, 2025 · 174,853 vehicles39%Back over prevention: software25V-686 · 2020–2022 · Oct 10, 2025 · 291,901 vehicles36%Steering: column25V-626 · 2020–2021 · Sep 19, 2025 · 115,539 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 70 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

18 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the F-250 SD

  1. Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter LeakPE24014 · 2015–2021 · still open
    Open
  2. Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 NoncomplianceRQ21002 · 2020 · still open
    Led to recall 26V-104
  3. Power Tailgate Release SystemsRQ21001 · 2017–2020 · closed Jan 10, 2024
    No recall
  4. Power tailgate opens unintendedPE18011 · 2017–2019 · closed Dec 12, 2019
    Led to recall 19V-864
  5. Vehicle Commanded Engine ShutdownRQ14005 · 2011–2015 · closed Mar 15, 2016
    Led to recall 15V-175
  6. Alleged Loss of SteeringPE13014 · 2008 · closed Jan 31, 2014
    No recall
  7. VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATIONEA08007 · 2005–2007 · closed Mar 31, 2009
    No recall
  8. VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATIONPE07057 · 2005–2007 · closed Mar 14, 2008
    No recall
  9. ENGINE STALLINGEA06012 · 1997–2003 · closed Dec 7, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-553
  10. ENGINE STALLINGPE06011 · 1999–2001 · closed Jun 23, 2006
    No recall