Ford F-250 SD overheating problems

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · OR

What Happened: My 2024 Ford F-250 developed a coolant leak. The coolant lines run along the frame, and when I brought it to the dealership, they said the bent lines and leak were caused by “road debris” and refused warranty coverage. They claimed mud on the undercarriage meant I was off-roading. I only drive on normal gravel roads, and the truck had been parked for around three weeks before the leak appeared after a short drive around town. I did not hit anything. The placement of the coolant lines may make them vulnerable to minor debris in normal driving conditions. Dealer Experience: I also experienced dismissive treatment by the service advisor. When I arrived and said my pickup was leaking antifreeze, the advisor said, “Are you sure it’s not water?” The tone felt dismissive and made me feel like I wasn’t being taken seriously. Safety Concern: A coolant line damaged under normal driving conditions could lead to overheating and engine failure without warning. If these lines are routed in a location easily struck by road debris, this could be a design vulnerability. Outcome: I left the dealer due to lack of confidence in their diagnosis and had the repair done elsewhere. The other shop documented the bent line and leak. I want this recorded in case other owners report similar issues.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical · NE

On [XXX], I went to start my 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.2L) and found that it would crank but not start. On [XXX], I had the truck towed to a local certified repair shop. They diagnosed that the fuel pump control module overheated and melted into the fuse box, causing extensive electrical damage and frying the main wire harness that connects to the fuse box. This is not something that should happen on a well-maintained vehicle with only 75,688 miles. I paid $2,600 for repairs out of pocket. The shop also informed me that this type of electrical failure could have easily caused a fire, especially since the truck was parked in my garage at the time of failure. This appears to be a serious electrical defect and a potential fire hazard. I’m requesting that Ford and the federal safety agency investigate this issue for possible recall or safety action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 139,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while stopped in the driveway, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The hill assist, traction control, brake, fuel empty, and the engine overheating warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle went into battery-saving mode. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA · fire

My vehicle caught on fire. I had been pulling my trailer and I pulled over to park when my truck began smoking. I attempted to open the hood and the truck was on fire. None of the sensors activated and I didn’t have any indication the truck was overheating.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Transmission · UT

Known mechanical design issue with the 10R140 transmission CDF drum where a bushing moves blocking / partially blocking fluid transfer ports. This causes transmission fluid overheating, clutch slippage, hard shifting, etc. This mechanical design issue poses a danger to the driver, passengers and other surrounding vehicles when this potential failure occurs.

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Visibility · WI

Mine and my families saftey was at risk when the A/C failed to run during a trip home. It was a damp rainy day and the windshield completely fogged over on the inside. Running heat and opening windows would not clear the visibly issue. There was 0% visibility. I had to drive with my head out the window to slow to a stop and wait hours before the A/C resumed working. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has been reproduced every time I drive the truck and has been verified and attempted service by two separate Ford Dealers. The truck was with the first Dealer for 1.5 months. I am in communication with the second Dealer now. This was a Ford buy-back vehicle. The claim was that the vehicle was overheating and that a fan shroud was replaced to fix the issue. I am skeptical that there wasn't more to the issue that wasn't resolved. No warning prior to failure. July 2022 is when the problem caused me issue. I do believe the issue was there since I purchased the vehicle used in August 2021, but the vehicle was not driven much so it never affected me.

Filed Oct 16, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 127,000 miles · AR

Vehicle has experienced multiple catastrophic upper oil pan failures, lower oil pan failure, coolant leak, fuel line dry rotted, and other issues at less than 138,000 miles. Resulting in potential loss of control of vehicle due to potential tire and brake exposure to engine oil and fluids. Potential of fire and other catastrophic loss.

Filed Apr 20, 2020 · Electrical · 66,100 miles · LA · fire

The AC line fitting overheated causing it to explode and arc which in turn melted the primary wiring harness for the engine. This also resulted in the wire catching fire and causing burn damage to the firewall. The vehicle was going through a car wash when the incident occurred. I have been told by my mechanic that the water from the car wash prevented further fire damage.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Engine · GA

Have had numerous problems with the cooling system on this vehicle. Had the air charge cooler replaced under warranty at around 70,000 miles. The radiator was leaking as well but dealer refused to replace it and wanted 1400.00 to replace. Was losing coolant at a rate of about 1 gallon a week going thru the air charge cooler and out the exhaust. At 89,000 miles I had to pay $1947.00 to replace both the vertical and horizonal egr coolers. Again, dumping a gallon of coolant into the exhaust system a week causing sever smoking and pollutants. This is a serious problem that thousands or probably millions of f-250 and others with the 6.4l diesel engine. Ford refused to do the right thing and do a total recall on these ill designed trucks. I cannot believe they have been allowed to get away with turning their head on this design flaw and not made to correct the air charged coolers, plastic radiators and the egr coolers.

Filed Feb 26, 2019 · Electrical · 53,500 miles · MT

I bought a new f250 sd 6.7l in 2016. It has 53,000m on it. Jan 2019 reductant heater failed, ford would not pay for it. Fortunately my ext warranty did after $100 deductable. Feb 2019 my truck while driving on city streets it gave the dash warning : chiming sound, no oil pressure, high temp, service advance trac, air bag, battery, and after stopping nothing was overheating, and oil was at proper level it would not turn over. It locked the starting system out. Towed to shop, waited 6 hrs then shop said it was from suspected corroded bcm connector. The shop turned that in to my extended warranty and they declined the claim due to corrosion. Ford has a bulletin out on it happening but refused to pay for it. $1000 repair bill+ $130.00 for the diagnosis. They are not even sure it was corrosion, but suspects the bcm corroded connector. They reset the codes, test drove it and gave it back to me. I will never buy a ford product again.