Ford F-250 SD years to avoid (and the best years)
513 NHTSA owner complaints and 44 recalls across 11 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 513complaints
- 44recalls
- 23reported crashes
- 11reported fires
- 15reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Ford F-250 SD years should you avoid?
No Ford F-250 SD model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Ford F-250 SD year has 32 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2011 (122), 2022 (121) and 2012 (57).
What are the best Ford F-250 SD years?
The Ford F-250 SD years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (15), 2013 (21) and 2015 (23). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 0.5× | 7 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2024 | 38 | 1.2× | 4 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 43 | 1.3× | 16 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 121 | 3.8× | 17 | 2 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2018 | 15 | 0.5× | 10 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2015 | 23 | 0.7× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 26 | 0.8× | 1 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Suspension |
| 2013 | 21 | 0.7× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 57 | 1.8× | 1 | 1 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 122 | 3.8× | 1 | 6 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2010 | 32 | 1.0× | 1 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Steering |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 372 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain130 (35%)
- Steering, suspension & tires115 (31%)
- Electrical & infotainment49 (13%)
- Brakes27 (7%)
- Structure & body25 (7%)
Recalls (44)
Safety · 26V489000 · Jul 2026 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 26V204000 · Mar 2026 · model years 2022, 2023
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 26V158000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2022
High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 26V119000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2025
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 26V104000 · Feb 2026 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 25V729000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2022
A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V686000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2022
A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V572000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2015, 2018
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V540000 · Aug 2025 · model year 2025
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 25V455000 · Jul 2025 · model years 2022, 2023
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V442000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2022
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 25V401000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2025
A sudden loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V315000 · May 2025 · model years 2023, 2024
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 25V306000 · May 2025 · model year 2025
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Body & glass · 25V157000 · Mar 2025 · model year 2023
A window that does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is encountered increases the risk of injury.
Transmission · 25V163000 · Mar 2025 · model year 2025
A detached shifter will prevent the driver from shifting into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V132000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2022
Loss of trailer brake functionality can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V134000 · Feb 2025 · model year 2023
An incorrect rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Safety · 25V048000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2022
Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 24V957000 · Dec 2024 · model year 2022
High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V806000 · Oct 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Steering · 23V847000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2023
A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 23V595000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2023
A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V573000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2023
An incorrect rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Electrical system · 23V506000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 23V507000 · Jul 2023 · model year 2023
A window that does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is encountered increases the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V420000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2022, 2023
Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 23V379000 · May 2023 · model year 2023
An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V344000 · May 2023 · model year 2023
A disconnected steering column can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 22V880000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2018
A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V644000 · Aug 2022 · model year 2018
Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V384000 · May 2022 · model year 2022
Missing tire information could lead to an incorrect tire or rim being installed, or incorrect tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V250000 · Apr 2022 · model year 2022
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 22V193000 · Mar 2022 · model year 2022
Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 22V087000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2018, 2022
A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V923000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2022
During a crash, the air bag cover may break apart and project fragments towards occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 21V805000 · Oct 2021 · model year 2022
An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Tires · 21V155000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2018
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 20E090000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018
If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Structure · 19V880000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2018
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Safety · 19V864000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2018
Unintended tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V808000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2018
DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V278000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2018
A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 14V204000 · Apr 2014 · model year 2015
If the vehicle is in "Reverse" while the while the gear selection shows "Drive," unexpected movement could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.