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1994 Ford F-250: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

69 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

103,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 69 complaints (10.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1420.3%
Transmission and shifting57.2%
Fuel system concerns57.2%
Electrical and battery issues45.8%
Steering behavior22.9%
Engine operation11.4%

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
7
Electrical System
5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
4
Suspension:Front
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip7
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control7
Electrical System5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission4
Suspension:Front4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 7; Electrical System: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Suspension:Front: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
8
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9998
150,000 and above5

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 5

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 46 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.

1995
14
1996
10
2000
8
2001
6
2002
1
2003
2
2004
1
2005
11
2006
3
2007
1
2008
2
2009
3
2010
3
2014
1
2017
1
2018
1
2020
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
199514
199610
20008
20016
20021
20032
20041
200511
20063
20071
20082
20093
20103
20141
20171
20181
20201

1995: 14; 1996: 10; 2000: 8; 2001: 6; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 11; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10022713 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)

OIL PAN RUSTED OUT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022713 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031116 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)

TWO EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CLOSEST TO THE FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN OFF ON MY 94 FORD F-250 WITH THE 460 C.I.ENGINE. THIS RESULTS IN NOISE AND EXHAUST SMELLS ENTERING THE CAB. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE BUT WANTS $1700.00TO REPAIR IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031116 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10099168 · 2004-11-30 (November 30, 2004)

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRAME AXLE BOLT SHEARED OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INTO A CURVE AT 55MPH WHEN IT BEGUN TO VIBRATE AND THE DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHCILE. THE MAIN BOLTS HOLDING THE CHASSIS TO THE FRAME AND AXLE WERE EITHER SHEARED OFF OR MISSING. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099168 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10109222 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WIRE. CONSUMER REPLACED THE SWITCH AT COST OF $20.00. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109222 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10111748 · 2005-03-28 (March 28, 2005)

THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED PERFORMING POORLY. A LOUD NOTICE FOLLOWED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT LEFT AND RIGHT AXLE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. *NM *BF

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111748 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10115862 · 2005-03-25 (March 25, 2005)

WHILE PARKED FOR TWO AND HALF DAYS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115862 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10116677 · 2005-04-09 (April 9, 2005)

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION AND PERFERATION OF BRAKE LINE. NO ACTION TAKEN AT THIS TIME. WAITING FOR RESPONSE AND SUGGESTED ACTION TO BE TAKEN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 126,162 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116677 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10116910 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)

FUEL FLOWING FROM FUEL TANK FILLER CAP. 1994 FORD F-250 WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS HAS CONDITION WHICH OVERFILLS TANK AND CAUSES STEADY FUEL FLOW FROM FILLER CAP. CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED REPLACING BOTH FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLIES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THIS CONDITION IN THIS DATABASE, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE SPREAD THROUGH VARYING CATEGORIES. MANUFACTURER WARRANTED SAME CONDITION FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR (1993) BUT WAS UNRESPONSIVE TO INQUIRIES REGARDING 1994 MODEL YEAR.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116910 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

05V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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 05V017 AND 05V388)

NHTSA campaign record ↗
93V155000 · Air Bags

Reported: 1993-09-24 (September 24, 1993)

THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR IS SLAMMED WHILE THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION.

Consequence: INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAN RESULT ININJURY TO THE DRIVER.

Remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
93V184000 · Air Bags

Reported: 1993-11-10 (November 10, 1993)

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULES INTENDED FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OVER 8,500 BLS. GVWR.

Consequence: THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT AND THE AIR BAGWARNING LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANTPROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THAT SHOULD ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
94V018000 · Structure:Body:Bumpers

Reported: 1994-01-02 (January 2, 1994)

THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence: IF ONE OF THE U-CLIP NUTS FRACTURES, THE BUMPER WILL LOOSEN AND RATTLE CAUSING FRACTURE OF THE REMAINING U-CLIP NUTS, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE BUMPER WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN, A VEHICLE COLLISION COULD RESULT.

Remedy: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
94V101000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Module

Reported: 1994-05-25 (May 25, 1994)

IN A HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLE, WHILE IN THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT REDUCE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE LOAD ON THE ENGINE IS DECREASED (SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE CRESTS A HILL.) THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED VEHICLE SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
94V169001 · Parking Brake:Conventional

Reported: 1994-09-07 (September 7, 1994)

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V064000 · Seats

Reported: 1996-04-16 (April 16, 1996)

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER HEATING OF THE SUPPORT WIRES COULD RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLE IGNTION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗