1996 Ford F250
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 51 of 176 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 184 in 1995 to 176 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Standard Pickup Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,450–4,800 | 4,450–4,800 | 4,150–4,800 | 4,050–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–14 | 13–14 | 13–15 | 11–15 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–13 / 16–17 | 11–13 / 16–17 | 11–14 / 16–18 | 10–13 / 14–18 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 635–684 | 635–684 | 592–684 | 592–684 | |
| Complaints filed | 184 | 176 | 304 | 56 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 14 | 9 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 10 | 20 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 17 | 25 | 19 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 3 | 12 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F250 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Ford F250?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 51 of 176 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford F250 get?
EPA rates it 13–14 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Ford F250?
EPA estimates $4,450–$4,800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 4.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | 14 mpg (high) | $4,450 (low) | 635 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 12 mpg | 17 mpg (high) | 14 mpg (high) | $4,450 (low) | 635 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 13 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | 14 mpg (high) | $4,450 (low) | 635 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks | 11 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 15 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 51 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 06V286000 · Aug 2, 2006
Defect: 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)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 05V388000 · Sep 7, 2005
Defect: 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)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 96V161000 · Sep 3, 1996
Defect: THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · Campaign 96V146000 · Aug 8, 1996
Defect: THE CROSSMEMBER FRAME GUSSETS WERE INSTALLED WITH UNDERSIZED THREADED FASTENERS FOLLOWING A BREAKDOWN OF THE PRODUCTION RIVET GUN THAT IS GENERALLY USED. THIS GUSSET IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE REAR STRAP OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK.
Consequence: THE SUBJECT FASTENERS CAN SEPARATE CAUSING IN THE REAR STRAP OF THE AFFECTED FUEL TANK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED. A LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED REAR STRAP ALLOWS THE FUEL TANK TO POSSIBLY CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CROSSMEMBER GUSSET FASTENERS WITH THE SPECIFIED ALTERNATIVE FASTENERS (BOLTS).