RoadVitals

1994 Ford F-350

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
95
Latest Nov 17, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Aug 1, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 95 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford F-350, most frequently naming the brakes, transmission and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 159 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06V286000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 1, 2006
1,200,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The 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)
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
01X001000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

May 22, 2001
13,000,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
The risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01B77View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA05005ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 2005
Closed Aug 2, 2006

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 05V388000
EA95012ClosedEngineering Analysis

FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT

Opened Mar 31, 1995
Closed May 28, 1996

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED.

POWER TRAINLed to recall 96I003001
PE94087ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILS

Opened Nov 18, 1994
Closed Mar 31, 1995

FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SYSTEM (SERPENTINE BELT) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RELATED TO BELT TRACKING OR WEAR.FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE SUBJECT CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO HIGHWAY SAFETY, ARGUING THAT THE LOW INCIDENCE OF FAILURES ALLEGING SAFETY CONSEQUENCES (I.E., FIRES, FLUID LEAKS, AND/OR ACCIDENTS) IS STRONG EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CLAIM.FORD HAS INDICATED RECEIPT OF 4,445 FIELD REPORTS AND 46891 WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING THE SUBJECT CONDITION. FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED HOSE RUPTURES AND/OR FIRES, RELATIVE TO TOTAL BELT FAILURES, SHOWS THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DURABILITY CONCERN THAT PRESENTS VERY LITTLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.FORD INTENDS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMIN A SERVICE BULLETIN SCHEDULED FOR PUBLICATION THE WEEK OF MARCH 13, 1995.ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL CLAIMS ALLEGING THAT INCIDENTS OF BELT FAILURE ARE CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO ADJACENT FLUID SYSTEMS (E.G., POWER STEERING HOSE, COOLANT HOSE, AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER HOSE).RELEASE OF THESE FLUIDS WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE, IF EXPOSED TO A SUFFICIENTLY HOT SURFACE AREA.THE AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE FOR TRANSMISSION OIL MAY BE AS LOW AS 300 C (570 F), WHILE POWER STEERING FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT ARE GENERALLY HARDER TO IGNITE (CLOSER TO 500 DEGREE C (900 DEGREEF)).DAMAGE TO BATTERY CABLE INSULATION HAS ALSO BEEN ALLEGED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE.ODI HAS RECEIVED FOUR REPORTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF ADJACENT FLUID SYSTEM HOSES FROM CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SERPENTINE BELT.ONE REPORT INVOLVED AN ECONOLINE RV CUTAWAY CHASSIS WITH A 7.3L V-8 NAVISTAR ENGINE, USED IN THE TRANSPORT OF DISABLED CHILDREN.AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 1994.THE FIRE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND RUPTURED A TRANSMISSION COLLER LINE. THE REPORT ALLEGES FINDING BELT FRAGMENTS AND TRACES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UP THE ROAD FROM THE FIRE SCENE, NEAR WHERE THE DRIVER HAD HEARD A POP JUST PRIOR TO THE FIRE.THE DRIVER REPORTEDLY SUSTAINED MINOR BURN INJURIES WHILE EVACUATING PASSENGERS.OWNER REPORTS ALSO ALLEGE SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OCCURS WITH THE BELT FAILURES, DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST CAPABILITY TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEMS.THE SERPENTINE BELT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE VACUUM PUMP FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.AS STATED IN FORD BULLETIN 93-23-27: SOME DIESEL POWERED VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING DRIVE BELT TRACKING CONCERNS.THIS IS CAUSED BY FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) MISALIGNMENT, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE BELT COMING OFF THE ACCESSORY DRIVE PULLEYS.IF THIS OCCURS, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE ALTERNATOR AND A/C FUNCTION AND WATER PUMP CIRCULATION.IN ADDITION, STEERING EFFORTS WILL INCREASE AND, AFTER ONE OR A FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS, BRAKE EFFORTS WIL PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE. THERE ARE THREE ODI COMPLAINTS AND FIVE FORD COMPLAINTS, NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME, ALLEGING THAT THE REDUCTIONIN VEHICLE CONTROL ASSOCIATED WITH ACESSORY DRIVE BELT FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER ANALYZE THE POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

POWER TRAIN
PE94004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS

Opened Jan 25, 1994
Closed Apr 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 95
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 17, 2023

The contact owns a 1994 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11555732
Incident
Oct 13, 2009
Tires & wheels
Filed May 15, 2015

IN MARCH OF 2014 I PURCHASED A SET OF TIRES FROM TREADWRIGHT TIRES WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME I NOTICED THE SIDE WALLS CRACKING , BEFORE I COULD GET ANY RESPONSE I HAD A BLOW OUT ON MY RIGHT FROM TIRE AT 60 MPH, I WENT THROUGH TWO MORE SETS WITH THE SAME RESULTS OF SIDE WALL CRACKING BUT NO BLOW OUTS I AM NOW ON MY FOURTH SET , THEY ARE A DIFFERENT MODEL TIRE BUT I AM NOW HAVING A BAD VIBRATION SOME WHAT LIKE I HAD JUST BEFORE THE BLOW OUT ON THE FIRST TIRE SET. TREADWRIGHT IS BEING UNRESPONSIVE NOW TO MY WARRANTY CLAIM AND NOT REFUNDING ME THE COST AND SHIPPING OF THE TIRES.

NHTSA ID
10716761
Incident
May 15, 2014
Mileage
260,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 28, 2008
Fire reported

F350 FORD SUPERCREW 4X4 7.3 TURBO DIESEL HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 4 DAYS. WIFE COMES OUT OF HOUSE FINDS TRUCK ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250066
Incident
Nov 26, 2008
Mileage
229,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 F-350. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ALL OF THE SENSORS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO WARN HER OF THE FAILURE. THE SENSORS AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,900.

NHTSA ID
10202064
Incident
Sep 5, 2007
Mileage
145,900 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 21, 2006
Fire reported

1994 FORD F-350 HAD AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. *KB A RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN REFERNCE TO FAULTY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FOR THE CONSUMER'S 1995 F-250 BUT NOT THE 1994 F-350. *NM

NHTSA ID
10170135
Incident
Apr 11, 2006
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2005
Fire reported

OUR 1994 FORD F-350 WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE MASTER CYLINDER TODAY. THERE WAS A SMALL BRAKE FLUID LEAK NOTICED IN THIS AREA THE OTHER DAY; BUT I WAS UNAWARE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH DANGER UNTIL AFTER THE FIRE. I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10128245
Incident
Jul 7, 2005
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2005

BRAKE FADE. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, PEDAL WILL SINK SLOWLY BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ACTIVE A WARNING LIGHT. IF PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED HARDER VEHICLE WILL ROLL. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST VEHICLE TO DO THIS AND HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE STILL DOES IT TO THIS DAY. MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, STILL NOT FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10116063
Incident
Aug 23, 2004
Mileage
299,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 17, 2005
Fire reported

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WIRES. THEN, THE SMOKE STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115330
Incident
Feb 21, 2005
Mileage
150,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17571

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0603 (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE KEEP ALIVE MEMORY ERROR) OR P0605 ( POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE READ ONLY MEMORY ERROR). *TT

03214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POOR IDLE QUALITY AND/OR LOW OUTPUT AFTER THE ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE SPEED. *TT

03211

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LOSS OF POWER AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ALSO ILLUMINATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 128 AND 845 OR P0236 AND P0238 STORED IN MEMORY. *TT

03212

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HESITATION, STUMBLE, LACK OF POWER, ROUGH IDLE AND POOR PERFORMANCE ON VEHICLES WITH 7.3L DI TURBO DIESEL BUILT FROM 2/9/94. *TT

03213

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

A NO-START OR REDUCED POWER CONDITION MAY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. *TT

03215

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HARD STARTING AFTER THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019001—
2018001—
2017001—
2015001—
2014910140.2
2013761149.8
20121494153.0
20111364154.0
2010010—
2009283048.8
20081319161.1
2007365252.3
20061456260.4
20051145253.1
20041593258.5
2003903265.0
20021163261.1
20011606565.8
20003045465.1
199941313464.4
1998121249.9
19971554260.9
19961304159.9
19951343159.1
1994Viewing957462.8
19931019360.6
1992527963.9
19913171166.8
19903971162.8
1989425766.4
1988294873.5
1987827—
1986142656.4
1985414—
1984234—
1983173—
1982021—
1981241—
1980051—
1979041—
1978091—
1977031—
1976011—
1975140—
1974010—
1973030—
1972030—
1969010—
1968020—
1967010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.