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Model Year Problem Record

Ford F-250 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Ford F-250: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

176Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
36Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Tires36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control16 complaints

16 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 05V388000, 06V286000.

Fuel and Propulsion System15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V146000.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V161000.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

05V388000Reported September 7, 2005 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on September 7, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

06V286000Reported August 1, 2006 - 1,200,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 1, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 1,200,000 vehicles across all affected models.

96V146000Reported August 1, 1996 - 200 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on August 1, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 200 vehicles across all affected models.

96V161000Reported August 29, 1996 - 134,770 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 134,770 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

PE96052Opened August 23, 1996 - Closed January 27, 1997

SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199611
199717
199814
199913
200031
200121
200215
20033
20042
20057
200610
20073
20086
20094
20102
20113
20121
20132
20144
20152
20161
20171
20191
20221
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.