Common Problems of Ford F-250 (According to Owners)

Ford F-250 is part of the popular The F-series pickup truck series spans fourteen generations From 1948 to the latest 2025 models. Although F-series Ford trucks have been available in various payload capacities from the beginning, Ford differentiated F-150 pickups from F-250 with more Introducing Super DutyDuring the tenth generation of the F-series in the late 1990s, it included the F-250, F-350, and F-450 models.

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Considering the F-250 Super Duty’s decades of production, Some good years and some best avoided. 2020 model year and newer fourth-generation Ford F-250 Super Duty trucks receive fewer owner complaints on CarComplaints.com than older models, particularly 2011 (third generation) and 2017 (first fourth-generation Super Duty model year) .

In the past, the most common vehicle owner for the Ford F-250 Super Duty center has reported problems with the truck’s suspension and steering. However, other common problems reported by Ford F-250 Super Duty owners include fuel pump failure, transmission shifting, exhaust system leaks, and problems with electrical systems, including the infotainment screen and backup cameras.

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Ford introduced its third-generation Super Duty trucks in 2011, with the fourth generation following in 2017. Oddly enough, these two model years had the most reported complaints from owners since the first-generation 2006 model year that CarComplaints lists. Worst model year for the F-250. In fact, 1,328 NHTSA complaints regarding suspension and steering problems were collected in these three model years alone. The 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty alone accounted for 645 steering-related complaints and 542 complaints regarding suspension issues.

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A common owner-reported problem and class action lawsuit issue regarding Ford F-250 Super Duty steering and suspension is referred to as: “Death Wobble”, a term often associated with Jeeps. Death Shake is a violent shaking of the steering components transmitted to the steering wheel, which can result in loss of vehicle control. Although it is most often caused by worn or misaligned suspension or steering components, it has been known to occur on F-250 Super Duty trucks with as few as 26,000 miles on the odometer.

The high-pressure fuel pump associated with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engines in some Ford F-250 Super Duty’s is another source of owner frustration. One owner reported via Reddit that it took over 40 days to repair a faulty fuel pump under warranty at a Ford dealership. But the owner was grateful for the warranty, as the estimated repair cost was around $15,000.

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Other Redditors said that the most common cause of 6.7L Power Stroke high pressure fuel pump failure is low quality diesel fuel and contamination. Someone Bad habits that could ruin your F-250’s diesel engine cannot drain the water separator. Water separators play an important role in diesel engine fuel systems by doing exactly what the name suggests, by separating water from diesel fuel. Use of fuel additives, Motorcraft Fuel Lubricant Additive ($17.49 at Amazon) is another important step to extend the life of your diesel fuel pump. A 12-ounce bottle of Motorcraft Fuel Additive can treat up to 75 gallons of diesel fuel.

Transmission problems are another frequently reported problem from Ford F-250 owners. While Ford upgrades the F series Super Duty powertrain for 2020 with available 7.3L gas V8 and a 10-speed automatic transmission, older F-250 Super Duty trucks had a six-speed automatic transmission. Haynes, famous for his series of automotive repair manuals, says owner-reported problems for the 2018 Ford F-250 include transmission problems such as rough shifting, shifting, and complete failure.

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CarComplaints lists owner-reported problems received by NHTSA for the 2011 F-250; these include transmissions that randomly shift into neutral and other transmissions that shift from sixth to first gear while driving. During Routine automatic transmission maintenance Some of the reported problems are normally noted to have occurred prior to transmission service as this can help prevent problems and extend the life of your Super Duty transmission. Other owner-reported complaints range from annoyances such as faulty parking gear indicators that do not allow the truck to be started to potentially life-threatening issues such as excessive downshifting and the inability to shift from reverse to drive when indicating that the gear shift is complete.

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Exhaust system leaks are the first problem listed by Consumer Reports for the 2019 Ford F-250. This is an ongoing issue involving at least the 2016 and 2017 Ford Explorers, which are the subject of another class-action lawsuit against Ford.

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Complaints submitted to Consumer Reports by Ford F-250 owners about the exhaust system include problems with mufflers, pipes, catalytic converters, exhaust manifolds, heat shields and exhaust leaks. At least one owner reported that the F-250 exhaust system was very noisy and gave off a strong diesel fuel odor; the dealer claimed this was normal. However, the Explorer class action lawsuit resulted in covered repairs to eliminate the cause of exhaust fumes entering the passenger compartment of the affected vehicles.

While exhaust leaks are often more annoying than damaging the engine, exhaust fumes entering the truck’s cabin can be life-threatening. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless gas emitted as a byproduct of internal combustion engines. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion; None of these provide an advantage when driving and, in extreme cases, can lead to unconsciousness and death.

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Haynes notes that the Ford F-250 electrical system is another area that gives owners trouble. A wide variety of electrical problems are caused by faulty wiring, faulty electrical components, and weak factory-installed batteries. Warning signs of electrical trouble include a flickering dashboard and other faulty electrical components, including interior lights, faulty vehicle sensors, and safety features like backup cameras.

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Consumer Reports adds that owners are reporting electrical problems with the infotainment system and head-up displays. One owner said he waited more than 10 weeks for the 2019 F-250 model’s infotainment screen to be replaced, while another said in question “Their electronic compass always pointed North.” The repair required replacing the computer, which cost approximately $1,000. Other F-250 owners are reporting problems with the factory-installed 12-volt battery, claiming that even the dealer-installed replacement battery fails to provide enough power. The owner of a Lariat-equipped 2019 Ford F-250 reported that purchasing an aftermarket Duracell battery solved the problem.