Model year record

1994 Ford F-250 recalls & problems

The 1994 Ford F-250 has 9 safety recalls and 123 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (35 complaints).

Recalls9safety recalls

Complaints123filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 23reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlAug 1, 2006

Vehicle speed control

Recall 06V2860001,200,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: 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)

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Vehicle speed controlSep 7, 2005

Vehicle speed control

Recall 05V3880004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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)

SeatsApr 16, 1996

Seats

Recall 96V06400031,000 vehicles

Problem: THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER HEATING OF THE SUPPORT WIRES COULD RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLE IGNTION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.

Parking brakeSep 7, 1994

Conventional

Recall 94V169001835,791 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Risk: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Fix: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Electrical systemMay 25, 1994

Ignition › Module

Recall 94V101000900 vehicles

Problem: IN A HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLE, WHILE IN THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT REDUCE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE LOAD ON THE ENGINE IS DECREASED (SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE CRESTS A HILL.) THIS CAN RESULT IN INCREASED VEHICLE SPEED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

StructureJan 2, 1994

Body › Bumpers

Recall 94V018000370,000 vehicles

Problem: THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.
Risk: IF ONE OF THE U-CLIP NUTS FRACTURES, THE BUMPER WILL LOOSEN AND RATTLE CAUSING FRACTURE OF THE REMAINING U-CLIP NUTS, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE BUMPER WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN, A VEHICLE COLLISION COULD RESULT.
Fix: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.

Air bagsNov 10, 1993

Air bags

Recall 93V1840003,322 vehicles

Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULES INTENDED FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OVER 8,500 BLS. GVWR.
Risk: THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT AND THE AIR BAGWARNING LIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANTPROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THAT SHOULD ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGSUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

Air bagsSep 24, 1993

Air bags

Recall 93V1550001,500 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE DESIGN OF THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR CAUSES THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR IS SLAMMED WHILE THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION.
Risk: INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG CAN RESULT ININJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Fix: INSTALL A REDESIGNED AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

F250 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

F250 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

F250 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

F250 Pickup 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

F250 Pickup 2WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	35	6	2	3	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	27	1	3	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	19	0	4	0	66,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	15	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	13	0	9	0	100,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Wiring › Front underhood	12	0	8	0	166,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump	12	0	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Bumpers	4	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › Switch	4	0	2	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	4	0	0	0	—
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	4	0	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Drag › Link › Connection; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT SPEEDS 50 TO 70 MPH AND WON'T RESTART SOMETIMES. IT MIGHT RESTART AFTER AN HOUR AND RUN FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND STOP AGAIN AND WON'T START AGAIN TILL NEXT MORNING. IS INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY STOPPING DEAD, LIKE TURNING OFF THE KEY. MECHANIC CANNOT MAKE IT HAPPEN IN SHOP!
Oct 17, 2020 · 103,000 miles
Electrical system
DIMMER SWITCH SHUTS OFF ALL THE LIGHTS AT NIGHT WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT
Jan 1, 2018 · 140,000 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH DOMINATOR SPORT ATZ TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS ROCKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BELT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 265,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185.
Mar 15, 2017 · 265,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT FUEL TANK WOULD EXTRACT FUEL FROM THE REAR FUEL TANK CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK OUT THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Jul 1, 2014 · 63,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAS WORN OUT AND CAUSE FUEL TO LEAK IN ONE OF THE DUAL FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICE A RECALL FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY (00V424000). HE HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE A FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Aug 7, 2010 · 79,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
1994 F250 SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, 10 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT, CAUGHT ON FIRE, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, TRUCK DESTROYED. *TR
Sep 6, 2010
Vehicle speed controlFire
IN AUGUST, 2009, MY FORD TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED AND PLUGGED IN TO WARM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED WITH THE INTENTION OF GETTING IT REPAIRED. I WROTE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CLAIMS DEPARTMENT TO INFORM THEM WHAT HAPPENED, INCLUDING PICTURES, AND ADVISED THEM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AVAILABLE TO THEM FOR INSPECTION. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT "INVOLVED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED." IN NOVEMBER, 2009, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE RECALL LETTER DESCRIBES PRECISELY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY…
Aug 31, 2009 · 254,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME THE PARTS TO FIX IT. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE NEAREST DEALER IS 250 MILES FROM HIS HOME. HE ALSO STATED HE IS A MECHANIC AND CAN PERFORM THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. UPDATED 11/25/09
Oct 1, 2009

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V388000
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…
EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTClosedLed to recall 93V155000
There is no summary currently available
RQ98006 · opened Mar 18, 1998 · closed Aug 15, 2000
SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSIONClosed
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…
PE96052 · opened Aug 23, 1996 · closed Jan 27, 1997
FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELTClosedLed to recall 96I003001
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED.
EA95012 · opened Mar 31, 1995 · closed May 28, 1996
TRNS OIL COOLER LINE FAILSClosed
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,…
PE94087 · opened Nov 18, 1994 · closed Mar 31, 1995