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Ford F-250 SD won't start problems

64 of the 6,554 owner complaints about the Ford F-250 SD describe won't start, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
64
worst model year
2004
typical repair cost reported
$1,294
typical mileage
56,934
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    4
  • 2020
    4
  • 2019
    4
  • 2018
    3
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    3
  • 2010
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2005
    8
  • 2004
    13
  • 2003
    6
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    1
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    3
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Fuel system · 134,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a no-start condition and was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. However, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); because there were not enough metal shavings found in the fuel system. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact used a vehicle scanner to retrieve DTC: P2291. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Fuel system · NY

I was traveling down the highway at approximately 55mph when truck suddenly lost power. I was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed as truck would not start. It was later determined that the cp4 high pressure fuel pump grenaded causing complete fuel system replacement costing over $11,000 in repairs. Shards of aluminium was sent throughout the fuel system.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WI

I took a functional vehicle to Swant Graber Ford in Barron, WI in on [XXX] for Recall 24S78 and since then I have had numerous vehicle issues involving the PCM that they flashed. I have up to 16 different codes when the check engine light comes on including numerous communication U-codes indicating faulty software download causing no run/no start problems along with severe safety concerns while driving. I returned the vehicle to Swant Graber today July 1, 2026 after 2 weeks being this was their earliest appointment availability. They then deleted the codes and told me to drive it until there is more issues which is a severe safety concern considering the condition of the PCM of this vehicle they returned to now which is unfunctional and not road worthy INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

While driving the truck completely just shutdown and then would not start.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

This vehicle is subject to two open safety recalls for which no repair remedy is currently available from the manufacturer: 1. Recall 24V957 (24S78) Dec 20, 2024 involves the high-pressure fuel pump and powertrain control system. The recall states the fuel pump may fail and cause extended cranking/no start or loss of motive power while driving. Loss of motive power while in traffic or while towing increases the risk of a crash. The manufacturer has stated that parts and/or software are not available to repair this defect. The vehicle is regularly used for towing a recreational trailer, which increases the safety risk if loss of power occurs during operation, especially at highway speeds or while merging. 2. Recall 25V686 (25SA8) Oct 10, 2025 involves the 360-degree/rear-view camera system. The recall states that the rear camera image may become dark in certain reversing situations when front and side cameras are exposed to significantly more light than the rear camera. Reduced visibility while reversing increases crash risk, particularly when maneuvering a large pickup truck. The manufacturer has acknowledged both recalls but has not provided a repair remedy within a reasonable timeframe. The powertrain-related recall has remained unresolved for an extended period. The vehicle has not been repaired because the manufacturer states parts/software are unavailable. At this time, the defect conditions have not resulted in a confirmed failure event, but the vehicle continues to be operated with open safety recalls that cannot be remedied. The safety risk remains present due to lack of available repair. Due to the prolonged unavailability of a repair remedy for a recall involving potential loss of motive power, I am unable to safely use the vehicle for its intended purpose of towing, as doing so would increase the risk of a crash if the defect occurs.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

After sitting for extended durations the engine experiences a no start or long crank condition. Research and discussion with local mechanic indicate this is an issue with a failed/failing fuel pump and/or fuel pump module. It is my understanding a recall exists for similar failures on other ford models.

Filed Oct 12, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

On October 3, 2025 our 2020 Ford F250 King Ranch 6.7 diesel broke down with no start and check engine light. We contacted Ford. We towed the vehicle, at our expense to the dealership we purchased it from approximately one year ago on October 6, 2025. I contacted Ford on October 3, 2025 and received a claim number. On October 7, 2025 the Ford dealership contacted us to inform us the high pressure fuel pump catastrophically failed. It cracked the pump housing. It is a 12,000.00 repair. It is a safety recall. The pickup on has approximately 56,000 miles. The 5 year power train warranty ended September 15, 2025. I have contacted Ford twice sense January 0f 2025 to see if there was a resolution to this recall and they stated there is no fix as of this time. The dealership and I have contacted Ford Customer Service several times. I have left several messages for the representative handling our case and was promised call backs but never did. On October 10, 2025 there was a new case generated due to the lack of communication. Both the dealership and I were promised a call back and we did not receive one. We use this pickup for work and we are losing income. I asked for a loaner and I was told that was not possible. I pulled a Carfax on this pickup and found that possibility this vehicle was bought back twice. When we purchased it, the service record give to us did not show that information. We would like for the repairs to be completed in a timely manner. The dealership stated on October 8, 2025 that the entire fuel system would need to be replaced and could have it completed in three business days. I am not feeling comfortable knowing the pickup has been bought back from Ford two other times and not informing us. Also I am worried it may have caused engine damage.

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Electrical · TN

The electical system seems to have a bad connection. This can sometimes be triggered when releasing the parking brake. Most often the issue occurs when driving where all gauges go offline and numerous errors are thrown on the display. Most times you can reconcile the issue by wiggling the wiring harness under the stearing wheel located near the parking brake. This vehicle has not been inspected. I have talked to local repair shops and they have verbally quoted prices too high to trace it down. It does not seem to be temperature related. Unplugging the wiring harnesses and plugging them back in does seem to help for a short period of time. This has occurred over 30 times in the past 2 years. The truck has less than 40,000 miles on it. The truck will not start when it is having this issue but thankfully will continue to run if already started.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Fuel system · IL

We were on the interstate and our truck had reduced power and then failed. The diesel particulate filter light came on as well as the service engine soon warning. We were hauling our 40 foot 5th on the way home from a trip. We were able to make it to the side of the road but it would not start. It would crank for a while then quit. We were stuck on a very busy/dangerous highway for over 2 hours waiting on a tow truck to get us. It cost $500 to be towed to the ford dealership 2 miles away. We were nearly 3 hours from home. Our truck and 5th wheel are both still at the dealership. We were told today that the fuel pump exploded leading to shards of metal throughout the system and that it would be $15000-18000 to repair. There isn’t a solution with the recall but it will be covered under our powertrain warranty. We are left without a truck and have no way to get our camper home until it’s repaired.

Filed Jan 9, 2025 · Electrical · MT

1st incident, weather conditions were rainy. Drove to store, shut off truck, started truck, service engine soon light came on #1-Ford pass message-powertrain control module lost communication or has detected incompatible software from the glow plug. service engine soon light #2-Powertrain control module lost communication with the glow plug, additional alerts along with a hard start or no start condition may accompany this fault. Service engine soon light #3-A communication fault over vehicle network has occurred between several modules. Service engine soon #4-The powertrain control module lost communication with the exhaust particulate matter sensor. Service engine soon #5-The transmission control module is sending invalid information over the internal vehicle communication network to one or more modules. Message #6-Pre-collision assist not available. I thought if I shut the truck off it would reset. When I tried to restart the truck it did nothing. Had it towed to Archie Cochrane Ford in Billings, MT. They replaced the DEF wiring harness. 2nd incident on [XXX], drove through rain on way to Provo, UT. Service engine soon light came on with all the same messages + five other messages. Had it towed to Larry H Miller Ford in Provo, UT. They replaced the Battery Junction Box. Drove to Yuma, AZ without incident but had them look it over and they could not reproduce the issue. Drove to Dickinson, TX, encountered fog on 1/3/2025. Incident #3, drove to the gas station on [XXX], started the truck up and the same messages came up. Roads were dry, although it had rained the night before. Drove straight to McRee Ford where the technician observed the issue firsthand. While the vehicle was in park it was constantly surging. We researched online for the same problem and have found others that have had this same type of issue. We have had to rent cars when the truck was in the shop. We believe this is an engineering issue and Ford should fix the issues without charging. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

Related recalls

EngineReported April 8, 2019 · 131,068 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Risk
A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

Recall number 19V278000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engine: dieselReported December 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk
In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 29, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 07V553000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford F-250 SD won't start

Which Ford F-250 SD years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (13 complaints), 2005 (8 complaints) and 2003 (6 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Ford F-250 SD?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,294 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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