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U.S. public vehicle records

Ford F-350 SD problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3,630 owner complaints analyzed

77 distinct recall campaigns

40,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1993 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 2,493 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,053 of 3,630 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior90124.8%
Braking behavior53214.7%
Engine operation2386.6%
Fuel system concerns1935.3%
Transmission and shifting1754.8%
Electrical and battery issues1413.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
1,053
Suspension
763
Electrical System
252
Unknown Or Other
242
Engine
218
Wheels
209
Fuel System, Diesel
185
Power Train
184
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering1053
Suspension763
Electrical System252
Unknown Or Other242
Engine218
Wheels209
Fuel System, Diesel185
Power Train184

Steering: 1,053; Suspension: 763; Electrical System: 252; Unknown Or Other: 242; Engine: 218; Wheels: 209; Fuel System, Diesel: 185; Power Train: 184

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
786
25,000 to 49,999
656
50,000 to 74,999
354
75,000 to 99,999
237
100,000 to 149,999
275
150,000 and above
185
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000786
25,000 to 49,999656
50,000 to 74,999354
75,000 to 99,999237
100,000 to 149,999275
150,000 and above185

Under 25,000: 786; 25,000 to 49,999: 656; 50,000 to 74,999: 354; 75,000 to 99,999: 237; 100,000 to 149,999: 275; 150,000 and above: 185

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (786). 1,137 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
10
2001
5
2002
15
2003
98
2004
80
2005
129
2006
124
2007
157
2008
136
2009
118
2010
140
2011
111
2012
67
2013
67
2014
65
2015
61
2016
52
2017
54
2018
129
2019
369
2020
313
2021
259
2022
273
2023
225
2024
171
2025
264
2026
138
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200010
20015
200215
200398
200480
2005129
2006124
2007157
2008136
2009118
2010140
2011111
201267
201367
201465
201561
201652
201754
2018129
2019369
2020313
2021259
2022273
2023225
2024171
2025264
2026138

2000: 10; 2001: 5; 2002: 15; 2003: 98; 2004: 80; 2005: 129; 2006: 124; 2007: 157; 2008: 136; 2009: 118; 2010: 140; 2011: 111; 2012: 67; 2013: 67; 2014: 65; 2015: 61; 2016: 52; 2017: 54; 2018: 129; 2019: 369; 2020: 313; 2021: 259; 2022: 273; 2023: 225; 2024: 171; 2025: 264; 2026: 138

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 901 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 532 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 238 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10151230 · 2006-02-26 (February 26, 2006)

I HAVE OWNED MY F350 DIESEL FOR 11 YEARS SINCE NEW, IT HAS 127,000 MILES ON IT, WE USE IT FOR WORK, HAULING, COMMUTING, AND TOWING 12,000 LB RV ON VACATIONS. IF WE DO NOT GET OIL CHANGES, WE CANNOT START OR DRIVE OUR VEHICLE, SO WE TRY TO KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WE HAVE KEPT PRETTY MUCH FACTORY EVERYTHING EXCEPT REAR AIR BAGS. PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD INCLUDE REPLACING MASTER CYLINDER, VACUUM PUMP FOR BRAKES, BUT BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VERY TOUGH TO REPLACE REAR DRUM BRAKES. GLOW PLUGS REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES, RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151230 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007816 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 99 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY 1 TON PICKUP. THE STEERING OF THIS TRUCK SUCKS! I HAVE HAD IT TO THE FORD GARAGE IN MISSOULA, MT AND THEY SAID THE STEERING HAD BEEN SET UP TOO TIGHT AND THAT IT WAS NOW SET TO FACTORY SPECS AND IT STILL ISN'T RIGHT. THE GARAGE SAID THAT THEY COULD REPLACE ALL PARTS IN THE STEERING AND IT STILL WOULDN'T MAKE THE TRUCK HANDLE GOOD. WHAT'S WITH THAT?

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007816 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003343 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)

TRUCK WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, FACING OUT OF GARAGE. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS. TRUCK HAD HANDBREAK SET WHEN PARKED. I STARTED TRUCK UP DUE TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN TO CHARGE BATTERY. VERFYED THAT HANDBRAKE WAS SET ( RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON) AND PLACE TRUCK IN NEUTERAL (5-SPEED). (GARAGE DOOR WAS OPEN DUE TO TRUCK RUNNING). I WENT INSIDE AND ABOUT 5 MIN PASSED LOOKED OUT KITCHEN WINDOW SAW TRUCK AT END OF DRIVE WAY. TRUCK WAS STOPPED BY TOW HOOK HITTING TREE. DRIVER SIDE MIRROW HIT TREE AND WAS FOLDED BACK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003343 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10140048 · 2005-10-17 (October 17, 2005)

THE CAM POSITION SENSOR ON MY '99 FORD F-350 W/ 7.3L POWER STROKE IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THESE FAILURES CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN INSTANTLY WITH NO WARNING. WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 283 IN PA CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSS STEERING AND BRAKES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. ON ONE OTHER OCCASION THIS OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 193,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140048 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10140061 · 2005-10-18 (October 18, 2005)

I OWNED A 99.5 FORD F350 WITH THE 7.3L DIESEL AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT AROUND 30K MILES, DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHILE TOWING A LOADED TRAILER, THE TRUCK SHUT OFF. THIS LEFT ME WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES OR ABS BRAKES. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A STEEPER GRADE OR BUSIER TIME OF DAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SHOULDER, THE TRUCK RESTARTED AND RAN BRIEFLY BEFORE SHUTTING DOWN AGAIN. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AT THAT POINT. THE TRUCK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT AT FIXING T…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140061 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10116613 · 2005-04-08 (April 8, 2005)

THE FUEL PUMP ON 1999 F350 4X4 WITH 38800 MILES [XXX] STRANDED ME AND THE FAMILY AFTER TRAVELLING 80 MILES DRIVING AT 65MPH NEAR MORRIS, IL. REQUIRED A TOW TRUCK THAT TOOK OVER 2 HOURS TO GET US. I AM A DIABETIC AND AS A CONSEQUENCE OF BEING STRANDED MY BLOOD SUGAR WAS TOO LOW. TOWED TO THE FORD GARAGE AND TECHS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT A COST OF $680, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT 7 OTHER FORD VEHICLES WERE TOWED IN WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURES. HE CALLED FORD TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT FORDS FAULT BUT TOO HIGH OF A ALCOH…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,781 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116613 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10284202 · 2009-09-16 (September 16, 2009)

ROTTED OUT REAR BRAKE LINE BEHIND FUEL TANK. I WAS TOWING A TRAILER AND WENT TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY RIGHT LANE WAS EMPTY ALLOWING ME TO USE IT AS A EMERGENCY LANE AND STOP BECAUSE THE TRAILER HAD BRAKES. I LIMPED HOME FOR REPAIRS. I REPLACED THE COMPLETE BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR. IT HAD ROTTED OUT BEHIND THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284202 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005133 · 2003-02-02 (February 2, 2003)

TRANSMISSION "PARK" FAILURE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 47,382 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005133 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10013760 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)

THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT THAT FORD SAID WOULD NOT BE COVERED. VEHICLE HAD 75,000 MILES. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013760 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10139172 · 2005-10-10 (October 10, 2005)

1. LEFT FRONT TIRE ON 1999 FORD F350 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DUALLY WITH 18,800 ODOMETER MILES STARTED TO SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS BEFORE TIRE BLEW FROM CORD SEPARATION. TIRE HAS ALMOST FULL TREAD DEPTH AS NEW TIRE. IT IS A GENERAL GRABBER TR IN 235/85-R16 SIZE THAT WAS EQUIPPED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THIS VEHICLE. TIRE WAS INFLATED TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFIED AIR PRESSURE OF 65 PSI. ALL SEVEN TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECENTLY CHECKED (WITHIN THE LAST WEEK) FOR PROPER INFLATION AND ANY ABNORMALITIES. I WAS NOT TOWIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139172 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2010
6
2011
7
2012
9
2013
9
2014
4
2015
3
2016
3
2017
13
2018
9
2019
11
2020
15
2021
14
2022
17
2023
15
2024
3
2025
6
2026
4
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20106
20117
20129
20139
20144
20153
20163
201713
20189
201911
202015
202114
202217
202315
20243
20256
20264

2010: 6; 2011: 7; 2012: 9; 2013: 9; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 13; 2018: 9; 2019: 11; 2020: 15; 2021: 14; 2022: 17; 2023: 15; 2024: 3; 2025: 6; 2026: 4

Year-by-year records

Ford F-350 SD model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
199301Not available
1994010
1995210
1996010
199732+1
199831-1
19991422+1
200015720
200115820
20021243+1
20031324+1
20041302-2
20052173+1
20061271-2
20072510
20081010-1
2009194+4
2010506+2
2011437+1
2012299+2
2013990
201474-5
20152073-1
201620830
201757213+10
20182019-4
201946611+2
202018815+4
20219614-1
202211017+3
20234015-2
2024443-12
2025146+3
202664-2