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1996 Ford F-250 SD problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Ford F-250 SD is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-250 SD model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
33
Worst area
Engine

The worst 1996 Ford F-250 SD problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    4
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    4
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1

Recalls 1

Vehicle speed controlReported October 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

Defect investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened March 22, 2005, closed August 2, 2006

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 the federal safety agency 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.

EA05005

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD 33

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 33 bulletins for the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

What 1996 Ford F-250 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Tires · 145,782 miles · AZ

Kumho kl78 245/75r16 load range e tire. Purchased a set of kl78 tires in november 2011 for my 3/4 truck. Since the time of purchase I have put less than 20,000 miles on the truck / tires. Three of the tires have developed large deformation across the tread cap, like a bulge. This is a manufacturing safety defect caused by the separation of steel belts of the tire allowing the rubber to deform.

Filed Jan 16, 2013 · Acceleration · 131,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford f-250 super duty. The contact stated that the speed control deactivation switch became oily and started leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the speed control deactivation switch would need to be replaced. The contact was informed of a recall for the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified but advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall and offered no other assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 02/12/13*lj the consumer stated the speed control activation switch failed. He noticed the cruise control stopped working eight months prior. He then noticed a wiring harness/connector near the bake fluid reservoir was oily and that the reservoir was low. The dealer replaced the switch. Updated 02/13/13

Filed Mar 2, 2012 · Tires · OR

Ply separation. Tire store confirmed they were aware of other occurrences. There's no section to report type in form so I will here. Type apt. M&s lt235/85/r16. Other I.d. Info.120/116q.

Filed Jun 5, 2009 · Fuel system · 230,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f250. The contact stated that the filter housing cracked and leaked diesel fluid from the top of the engine down into the vehicle. He was concerned that the leak could cause a fire. An independent mechanic assumed that the fuel pump was causing the leak. After the repairs were completed, the mechanic stated that the fuel housing cracked and caused the leak. The current and failure mileages were less than 230,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Engine · 90,848 miles · CA

While driving in traffic my camshaft position sensor failed without warning causing my diesel engine to shut off, leaving me with no steering and braking ability. This action almost caused a traffic accident. My truck was towed to my local repair shop and the camshaft position sensor was replaced. I retained the sensor that was replaced.

Filed Dec 18, 2007 · Engine · 96,228 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford f250 hd. The cam sensor was replaced on october 28, 2003. The contact believes that the replacement part is faulty and will need to be replaced again. There is a safety recall on the cam sensor, but it does not apply to his vehicle year. There has been no recent failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 113,800 and the failure mileage in 2003 was 96,228. Updated 01/17/08 *bf updated 01/17/08

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Brakes · 100,700 miles · KY

I have a 1996 ford f-250 heavy duty pickup which I purchased new and all the brake lines are completely rusted through. I was testing the brakes after adjusting them in front of my house when the pedal went to the floor. All the fluid was blown out of the rusted line on the front brakes, after I repaired them and was bleeding the air from them, while holding down on the pedal another line on the rear brakes blew out. In short, I spent 10 hrs. Replacing all the brake lines that were rusted out. I have older cars and trucks and have never had this issue before. If I had been hauling a load that this truck is rated to pull (14,000lbs.) towing capacity,I could have run right over someone. I wonder how many other trucks are out there on our roads with this same problem? I contacted ford motor co. For which their response was to contact the dealer for repairs that I told them I have already completed. I hope this is an isolated incident but I have my doubts. *tr updated 01-15-08. *kb the front and rear brake lines rusted through. Updated

Filed Jan 27, 2007 · Engine · 180,000 miles · 00

Truck stalled or quit for no apparent reason while driving.

Filed Oct 13, 2006 · Electrical · 104,000 miles · NJ · fire

1996 f-250 caught fire in my driveway while on vacation, and after not being used for 4 days. Fire investigators determined the fires cause and origin to be the speed deactivation switch which I received a recall notice to have repaired. Notice was rec'd in late august 2006, appointment made for october 11 2006 and truck burned october 8 2006. Ford quality control states they can do the investigation thru pictures e- mailed to corp. Headquarters, then states after seeing the pictures that the truck is too badly damaged to determine fire cause and denies the claim. Please help me.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Acceleration · OK · fire

Dt: the contact stated on february 27, 2004 the vehicle caught on fire. It started in the cruise control switch. Ford f250 1996. There was no forewarning, the vehicle was parked ten to twelve hours. Ford repaired the vehicle at contact's expense. However, the insurance company covered a certain amount of it.

Compare the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1996 Ford F-250 SD

Is the 1996 Ford F-250 SD reliable?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 1996 Ford F-250 SD, fewer than a typical F-250 SD model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Ford F-250 SD?

Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is acceleration (2).

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-250 SD have?

1 recall, covering vehicle speed control.

What year does the Ford F-250 SD have bad engine?

The Ford F-250 SD model years with the most engine complaints are 2004 (114 complaints), 2002 (105 complaints) and 2001 (99 complaints).

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