RoadVitals

1996 Ford F-250 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Dec 10, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 176 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford F-250 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2009
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS MAKING REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND BURNED THE HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. FORDS LEGAL DEPARTMENT SENT A LETTER DENYING RESPONSIBILITY , BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID
10295252
Incident
Nov 5, 2009
Mileage
210,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING DECELERATION, SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, OR WHILE IN IDLE THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 07V553000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE, DIESEL WHO CONFIRMED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 360,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/06/09 *BF UPDATED 10/08/09

NHTSA ID
10283633
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
360,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2008

I HAVE A 1996 FORD F250 7.3 LITER DIESEL TRUCK. IT STALLS ON OCCASION AT LOW SPEEDS WHICH I FEEL IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON 1997 AND NEWER TRUCKS BECAUSE OF THE CAM POSITION SENSOR. EVERYTHING I COULD FIND OUT ABOUT MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME. THE CPS UNIT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL FORD SHOULD REPLACE MY CPS UNIT AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246189
Incident
Sep 15, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE MOTOR FAILED AS WELL. THE SENSOR IS LOCATED ON THE LOWER FRONT END OF THE MOTOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. HE CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE SINCE 1996, BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLING. UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB

NHTSA ID
10234866
Incident
Jul 18, 2006
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2008

I HAVE A 1996 F250 THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CAM SENSOR FOR THE SAME REASON THAT THE 97-03 HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIRS THIS IS A 7.3 LITER POWERSTROKE WHY AM I NOT GETTING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS YEAR MODEL ITS THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL REALLY CLOSE CALLS WITH IT DYING IN TRAFFIC THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A DAY EVERY TIME I DROVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223081
Incident
Mar 29, 2008
Mileage
106,545 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2008
Fire reported

OUR FORD F-250 4X4 CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON DEC. 2, 2007. THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN STARTED IN OVER A MONTH. IT WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE GRILL AREA OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220816
Incident
Dec 2, 2007
Engine
Filed Feb 17, 2008

MY 1996 F250 WITH A 7.3 LITER POWERSTROKE . WAS HUNTING FOR MONTHS , I ATTRIBUTED THIS TO FUEL , BUT THEN IT STALLED ON MY WIFE . FOLLOWED BY STALLING ON ME THEN HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME . THE PROBLEM , CPS CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS BEFORE WITH OTHER TRUCKS MOST TIMES LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY BUT NOT HAPPY YOU SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AT FORDS EXPENSE FIX THE PROBLEM FOREVER AND REIMBURSE ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218245
Incident
Feb 9, 2008
Mileage
242,167 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2006

1996 F250 4X4 DIESEL AUTOMATIC. I STARTED UP FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE TRUCK SHUT OFF, LIKE A KEY SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT LIGHT OFF, BOTH FUEL TANKS FULL AND PRESSURIZED FUEL WAS PUMPING THROUGH FILTER DRAIN WHILE CRANKING. 4 GUYS HELPED PUSH ME OUT OF THE 4 LANE ROAD. THIS IS THE 2ND CPS IN 3 YEARS. AUGUST 2003 IT FAILED IN SAVANNAH, GA AND I WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRUCK SHOP. THEY TAUGHT ME ABOUT THE CPS PROBLEM IN FORDS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166366
Incident
Aug 23, 2006
Mileage
195,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2006
Fire reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE BEGAN WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHETHER THE FIRE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SOURCE OR FUEL. THE ENGINE MASTER CYLINDER MELTED. PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO EXPRESSED THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD RETURN THE CALL. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS ALSO CONTACT AND THE DEALER DETERMINED SINCE THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALER WOULD NOT PERFORM OR ASSIST IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE NOR OFFER COMPENSATION.

NHTSA ID
10164541
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2006

THE CPS ON MY 1996 FORD F-250 WITH 7.3 LITER DIESEL FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 77, WITH FAMILY ABOARD. COASTED TO STOP WITH DIFFICULTY STEERING. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NC HWY 115, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COASTED TO STOP ON SIDE OF ROADWAY, TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152251
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2002

THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, Y PIPE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH CAUSED THE OVERHEATING.*JB

NHTSA ID
8018975
Incident
Oct 9, 1998
Mileage
26,664 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2001
Fire reported

THE TRUCK WAS PARKED FOR 10+ DAYS WITHOUT BEING STARTED. THE TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE INSPECTORS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THERE WAS NO OTHER IGNITION SOURCE ANYWHERE AROUND THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
751807
Engine
Filed Mar 26, 2001

RUBBERT INTAKE BOOT FROM CLEANSER TO TURBO HAS FALLEN APART. HAD TO HAVE AN UPGRADED VERSION OF INTAKE BOOT REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.*AK

NHTSA ID
884146
Incident
Mar 8, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2001

IDLER PULLEY CAME OFF OF THE MOTOR, CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND VACUUM PUMP TO FAIL. *SLC

NHTSA ID
785253
Incident
Jan 6, 2001
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Oct 18, 2000

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE UP AND COIL PACK REPLACE. DEALER SAID THAT PLUGS WOULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE STUCK. SO CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PLUGS WON'T COME OUT. DEALER CHARGED A $1000 TO TAKE THEM OUT.*AK THE LIGHT AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE STARTER FAILED THREE TIMES. A/C FAILED. THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED. BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTOR FAILED. WIRES UNDERHOOD RUST OUT. POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
873293
Incident
Oct 9, 2000
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed Oct 13, 2000

FUEL IS LEAKING CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING ASSEMBLY, RESEALED O-RINGS, REPLACED LOW PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED PRESSURE SWITCH, AND TIGHTENED FUEL LINES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. TRANSMISSION BUCKS AT TAKE OFF. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ID
872980
Incident
Oct 13, 1999
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2000

THE TRUCK STALLS AND GOES COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE IS NOT A SET PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM. SOME WEEKS IT HAPPENS MORE THEN OTHERS. IT HAPPENS IN BOTH TWO WHEEL AND FOUR WHEEL OPERATION, LOAD AND NO LOAD CONDITIONS. IT IS MOST DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AND MANEUVERS SINCE THE POWER STEERING IS GONE

NHTSA ID
734199
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2000

ENGINE PULLEY WAS COMING OFF THE CRANKSHAFT DUE TO SHEARED OFF BOLTS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILED BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE. *YH

NHTSA ID
872527
Incident
Aug 31, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2000

THE LEFT FRONT RADIATOR SUPPORT BROKE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
784722
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2000

SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER FAILURE DUE TO PREMATURELY WORN BUSHING. PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AMONG DEALERSHIP MECHANICS. THIS PART CONTROLS THE TENSION ON THE SINGLE SERPENTINE BELT WHICH OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP (MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER UPON FAILURE), THE AC COMPRESSOR, THE WATER PUMP (MAY CAUSE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT UPON FAILURE) AND THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
723884
Incident
Nov 25, 1997
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 17, 2000

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW CONDITIONS FAN BELT FELL OFF DUE TO SNOW HITTING THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE, ALLOWING ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS TO STOP. PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BELT AFTER DEALER WAS UNABLE TO/REFUSED TO COVER COST. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857133
Incident
Dec 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Feb 17, 2000

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL SNOW DRIFT, ON AN ISOLATED COUNTRY ROAD, SNOW DISLODGED THE SERPENTINE BELT, THUS DISCONNECTING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, THE COOLING SYSTEM AND DISCHARGING THE BATTERY. LUCKILY A PASSING SNOW PLOW OPERATOR ASSISTED US OR THIS COULD HAVE HAD MORE TRAGIC RESULTS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD ENGINEERS TO ASSIST WITH A SOLUTION. SKID PLATES ARE NOT MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE NOR CAN THEY APPARENTLY BE MANUFACTURED BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHILE OUR LOCAL DEALER IS HELPING TO PROBLEM SOLVE, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE NO REPLY NOR INTEREST FROM FORD, WHO CLAIMS THAT ANY SOLLUTION WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN ACCESSORY OR IMPROVEMENT RATHER THAN A REPAIR. WE FEEL THAT SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS ADVERTISED AS A RUGGED OFF-ROAD FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT IS DEPICTED BLASTING THROUGH DEEP SNOW DRIFTS ON COMMERCIALS, IT PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BREAK DOWN AND STRAND PASSENGERS WHEN THE TRUCK IS CONFRONTED WITH NORMAL WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. FURTHER, IT SHOULDN'T LEAVE THE PASSENGERS STRANDED WITHOUT POWER,ENGINE COOLING, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
718883
Incident
Dec 11, 1999
Engine
Filed Dec 6, 1999

THE AUTO TRANS WILL LOCK UP IN 1ST GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT TO 2ND. THIS HAS HAPPEND MANY TIMES . WHEN IT DOSE LOCK IN FIRST GEAR THE ENGINE WILL RUN TO THE GOV. AND STAY THERE AS LONG AS YOU HOLD THE THROTTLE DOWN AND THEN SHIFT WITH A BANG. IF YOU LET OFF OF THE THROTTLE THE TRUCK WILL FREE WHEEL. EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPEND

NHTSA ID
715719
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 1999

I WAS TOLD BY LOCAL DEALER THE EXAHUST MANIFOLDS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARNTY. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME REPORTING THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THE PINGING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS NOT A PROBLEM. NOW WEVE HAD TO PAY A $1100 REPAIR WITH LESS THAN 36,000 MILES OF USE.

NHTSA ID
714483
Incident
Jun 25, 1999
EngineSteering
Filed Sep 13, 1999

BOLT THAT HOLDS THE POWER STEERING SNAPPED IN HALF. AFTER SNAPPING IN HALF, VIBRATED OUT TOWARDS POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY, CAUSING THE PULLEY TO LOCK UP, AND BREAKING THE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET. THI S CAUSED THE MAIN DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF, LEAVING CONSUMER WITHOUT BRAKES OR STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
847585
Incident
Sep 11, 1999

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .