Tires. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports25 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

19 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2002

Power TrainCrash

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UNIT WAS PARKED AND SHIFTER PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THE TRUCK ROLLED BACK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. WITNESSES ON THE SCENE VERIFIED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK BUT THAT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGED IN THAT POSITION. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, IT WAS DETERMINED, BY EXPERIMENT, THAT THE INDICATOR ON THE SHIFTER DID NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL GEAR. WHEN IN "PARK" THE TRUCK WAS ACTUALLY IN EITHER REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. ACCORDING TO OTHER SOURCES, THIS PROBLEM, OF EITHER JUMPING OUT OF PARK OR NOT BEING IN THE GEAR INDICATED, HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH FORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THE PAST.

NHTSA ODI #762674

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2002

Power Train

THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND YOU CAN RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT FINE UNTIL THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS BEEN TESTED AND IT SHOWS THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT TO BE FLASHING. HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NOW 15 TIMES AND EVEN SPECIAL TECHNICIANS LOOKING AT IT AND CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I DON'T WANT…

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NHTSA ODI #759575

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2002

Power TrainCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND IT WAS SITTING FOR 15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WENT FROM PARK TO DRIVE ALL BY IT'S SELF. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION IS ELECTRONIC AND HE SUSPECTT A SELONIDE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756388

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001

Power Train

CONSUMER WAS PULLING A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER FOR 5,0000 MILES WHEN TRANSMISSION FAILED, DUE TO BURNT CLUTCHES. DEALER RECOMMEND WHEN BACKING OUT CAMPER CONSUMER SHOULD USE LOW RANGE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885410

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001

Power Train

4 WHEEL LIGHT STATED THAT IT WAS IN 4- WHEEL DRIVE, IT WAS INFACT NOT, AND I ALMOST WENT OFF OF A CLIF. PUT NEW HUBS ON AND IT FAILED AGAIN IN JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MUD. 4 WHEEL LIGHT STATED THAT IT WAS IN 4 WHEEL AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743758

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000

Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN. HAPPENED AT STOP LIGHT OR SIGNS. CONTACTED FORD MANUFACTURER & INFORMED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. AT DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC PLACED VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE & NO CODES APPEARED. TRANSMISSION COULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY INTO EITHER 1ST OR 2ND GEARS WITHOUT MAKING GRINDING NOISES. M…

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NHTSA ODI #874025

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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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 ODI #873293

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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 ODI #872980

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2000

Power TrainCrash

THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK, AND IT ROLLED DOWN AN INCLINE AND STRUCK A POST. THIS IS THE THIRD 1996 FORD F250 IN OUR COMPANY THAT THE SHIFT INDICATOR LINKAGE HAD THE SCREWS BACK OUT, CAUSING THIS SAME TH…

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NHTSA ODI #716917

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1999

Power Train

TRUCK WAS AT A STOPPED POSITION AND I NOTICED THAT THE LOCKING HUBS WOULD NOT STAY ENGAGED. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE 4WD SINCE THE INCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #710024

Official recalls

06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 1, 2006

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

Consequence & remedy

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)

05V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Sep 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 & remedy

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)

96V161000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 29, 1996

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 & remedy

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.

96V146000 · Structure:frame And Members

Aug 1, 1996

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 & remedy

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).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA05005 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 22, 2005 · Closed Aug 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

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.

Additional source detail variants (21)

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

PE96052 · Separated Front Suspension

Opened Aug 23, 1996 · Closed Jan 27, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REPORT THAT BOLTS WHICH RETAIN THE AXLE PIVOT BRACKET TO THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER CAN LOOSEN OR FAIL, CAUSING THE INBOARD END OR THE AXLE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER THE COMPLAINT DATA SHOWS ONLY ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY FOLLOWING AXLE SEPARATION, WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.IN ADDITION TO THE 225 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, THERE WERE 4,315 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MEMBERS, AND 22 VEHICLES WERE REPLACED FOR GOODWILL.DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY FORD, UNDER REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT INDICATE THAT THE BOLTS WERE INADEQUATE FOR THE DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE VEHICLE.ALSO, BOLTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TORQUED AT ONE OR MORE ASSEMBLY PLANTS.OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS WAX TREATMENT OF THE FRAME, CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM.INCREASED BOLT DIAMETER AND INCREASED TORQUE APPARENTLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.A SERVICE BULLETIN, 96-20-13, WAS ISSUED TO ADVISE DEALERS OF THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION.IN THESE DOCUMENTS, FORD ALSO REPORTED THAT A VEHICLE, EQUIPPED FOR SIMULTANEOUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ALL PIVOT BRACKET FASTENERS, WAS EVALUATED RESULTING IN A SLIGHT VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE WITH NO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ODI HAS NOT REPLICATED FORD'S VEHICLE TESTING, HOWEVER ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION INDICATES THAT EVEN IF THE INBOARD END OF THEAXLE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME, THE OUTBOARD END WOULD REMAIN FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE LEAF SPRING WITH TWO U-BOLTS.THIS WOULD RETAIN THE WHEEL IN ITS APPROXIMATE POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WOULD BE GREATLY IN ERROR.THEREFORE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LOST.OWNERS REPROT MANY SIGNIFICANT NOISES IN THE SUSPENSION, SUCH AS CREAKING, GROANING, CLUNKING, AND SQUEAKING, PRIOR TO NOTICING ANY SEPARATION OF THE AXLE.THIS PROVIDES WARNING OF THE LOOSENING OF THE BOLTS TO THE DRIVER, AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.FORD HAS STATED THAT REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S BUMPER WARRANTY.COMPLAINTS ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE BY A FORD DEALER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FORD, OR TO APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.