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

What owners actually said

176 reports

150,000 miles · May 7, 2004

Electrical SystemFire

Read full complaint

WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY MY FORD F-250 WITH TWO GAS TANKS BURST INTO FLAMES AND TOTALED THE PICKUP. FORTUNATELY, THE TRUCK WAS BACKED INTO THE DRIVE WAY BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN AND THE HOTWATER HEATER WOULD HAVE BEEN IGNITED. AS IT WAS, WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED SO QUICKLY AND PREVENTED THE GAS TANKS FROM EXPLODING. BOTH LANES ON HWY 412 WERE SHUT DOWN, MANY PEOPLE GATHERED , ETC. THE MEDIA WAS THERE TAKING PICTURES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAYBE A WIRING DEFECT THAT COULD BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN OTHER FORD PICKUPS. I ALSO OWN A FORD F-360 DIESEL. I THINK THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO AVOID HAVING POSSIBLE FATALITIES. I HAVE INSURANCE, HOWEVER, IT WILL NOT PUT ME BACK WHERE I WAS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND I PLANNED TO RETAIN IT FOR 20 OR MORE YEARS. MY CHILDREN WERE HOME, WHEN A PASSERBY POUNDED ON THE DOOR HYSTERICALLY TO TELL THEM THAT THE PICKUP WAS ON FIRE AND COULD BE A BOMB. MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT THE OTHER CHILDREN OUT AND PHONED 911. THEN, SHE WENT BACK IN TO WAKE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES IN OUR BASEMENT AS SHE HEAR EXPLOSIONS. (THE FRONT TIRES EXPLODED AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.) PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT! THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10068467

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2003

Steering

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE TECHNICIAN BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE. TECHNICIAN REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042400

108,000 miles · Jul 24, 2003

Seat Belts

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT, LOCKING BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK AND HOLD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029062

20,000 miles · May 16, 2003

Tires

THE VEHICLE TIRE TREAD HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019971

106,338 miles · Dec 6, 2002

Fuel System, GasolineFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, POSSIBLY DUE TO FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #8023898

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002

Fuel System, GasolineFire

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THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LEFT IN THE "ON" POSITION WHILE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN HOURS, APPARENTLY THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT TOLD BY PRESSURE REGULATOR OR COMPUTER TO TURN OFF. FUEL PUMP PUMPED APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN GALLONS OF FUEL INTO MOTOR, BY NOT KNOWING THIS AT THE TIME OF TRYING TO START VEHICLE A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED. FIRE DEPT. POLICE ON THE SCENE OF INCIDENT, PLEASE PURSUE THIS ISSUE SO THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN TO OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE FATALITIES, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, AND ALSO MY FAMILY, I ALSO LOST A VERY NICE TRUCK AS THE RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD MOTOR CO. I ALSO FEEL THAT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, TO REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS SO THAT FATALITIES WILL NOT HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE. FORD MOTOR CO. WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY WROTE ME A LETTER STATING THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE AND THAT ALSO NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO SOLVE THIS MATTER AND NOTHING TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT THIS MATTER CAN BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY. MY FIRST CONTACT WITH FORD MOTOR CO. WAS THAT FORD WANTED ME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO SEND MY TRUCK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE, THEN A SHORT TIME LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR CO. STATING THAT THEY WERE FINISHED AND DID NOT WANT TO EVEN SEE THE VEHICLE. PLEASE RESPOND , AS THOUGH YOU SEE THAT FORD MOTOR CO. IS NOT ! THANK YOU,. ROBERT ROBINSON III. 2958 CEMETERY RD. XENIA, OHIO 45385. MR

NHTSA ODI #767895

26,664 miles · Sep 18, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 ODI #8018975

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002

SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT VEHICLE SUDDENLY MADE A 45% TURN AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. STEERING COLUMN SPLIT IN HALF. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8017152

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002

Tires

WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT BUT DRIVER DID NOT LOSE CONTROL, OWNER NOTICED THAT A 4'WIDE-6'EDGE CHUNK HAD PEELED AWAY. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8015462

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002

Tires

THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED (FELT VIBRATION) I TRAVELED APPRX 200 YARDS AND THEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE EXHAUST PIPES /WHEEL WELL/ WHEEL LINER/BED, AND WHEEL WELL TRIM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764921

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.