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1994 Ford F-350 problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Ford F-350 is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-350 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
95
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
159
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 1994 Ford F-350 problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Brakes
    33
  • Transmission
    22
  • Engine
    13
  • Acceleration
    8
  • Steering
    8
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Tires
    6
  • Body
    5
  • Electrical
    5
  • Suspension
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Seats
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Ford F-350

ABS 10Brake failure 6

Recalls 5

Vehicle speed controlReported August 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details

SeatsReported April 16, 1996 · 31,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The wire harness for the power lumbar feature on the seat is underneath the front seat cushion support wires. The support wires on the driver seat can contact and damage the insulation harness resulting in a high resistance electrical short through the support wires.
Risk
Consequence of defect: over heating of the support wires could result, and melting, smoke, or possible igntion of the surrounding materials could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the seats on the affected vehicles. If no damage is found, the driver seat wire harness will be covered with a protective convolute tubing, wrapped with electrical tape and the harness will be rerouted. If damage is found, the wire harness will be replaced.

Recall number 96V064000 · Recall details

Parking brake: conventionalReported September 7, 1994 · 835,791 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The parking brake control self-adjust pawl does not line up properly with the self-adjust rachet causing the pawl to slip over one or more teeth in the rachet.
Risk
When the above occurs, it can result in parking brake system ineffectiveness. The parking brake will not hold the vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll freely, if the transmission is not left in gear.
Remedy
A wedge will be installed which will serve to lock the parking brake self-adjust mechanism pawl into engagement with the rachet. Also, owners will be advised to release and reapply the parking brake whenever tooth skip occurs and will be reminded to always turn off the engine and leave the vehicle in gear when the vehicle is parked.

Recall number 94V169001 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: moduleReported May 25, 1994 · 900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
In a heavily loaded vehicle, while in the cruise control mode, the throttle may not reduce immediately when the load on the engine is decreased (such as when the vehicle crests a hill.) this can result in increased vehicle speed without prior warning.
Risk
This can result in loss of speed control of the vehicle, and a possible accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the electronic engine control module.

Recall number 94V101000 · Recall details

Structure: body: bumpersReported January 2, 1994 · 370,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The u-clip style nuts that retain the front bumpers to the front bumper inner arms can fracture.
Risk
If one of the u-clip nuts fractures, the bumper will loosen and rattle causing fracture of the remaining u-clip nuts, resulting in separation of the bumper from the vehicle. If the bumper were to detach from the vehicle while it is being driven, a vehicle collision could result.
Remedy
Inspection and replacement of the four u-clip nuts and the associated bolts.

Recall number 94V018000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1994 Ford F-350

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

Failure of serpentine beltOpened March 31, 1995, closed May 28, 1996

An engineering analysis closing report is included.

EA95012

Trns oil cooler line failsOpened November 18, 1994, closed March 31, 1995

Ford has acknowledged a serious problem with the accessory drive belt system (serpentine belt) in the subject vehicles.several service bulletins have been issued to address concerns related to belt tracking or wear.ford maintains that the subject condition does not present an unreasonable risk to highway safety, arguing that the low incidence of failures alleging safety consequences (I.e., fires, fluid leaks, and/or accidents) is strong evidence in support of this claim.ford has indicated receipt of 4,445 field reports and 46891 warranty claims concerning the subject condition. Ford maintains that the low number of reported hose ruptures and/or fires, relative to total belt failures, shows that the problem is a durability concern that presents very little risk to motor vehicle safety.ford intends to address the problemin a service bulletin scheduled for publication the week of march 13, 1995.odi has received several claims alleging that incidents of belt failure are causing collateral damage to adjacent fluid systems (e.g., power steering hose, coolant hose, and automatic transmission oil cooler hose).release of these fluids within the engine compartment may result in a vehicle fire, if exposed to a sufficiently hot surface area.the autoignition temperature for transmission oil may be as low as 300 c (570 f), while power steering fluid and engine coolant are generally harder to ignite (closer to 500 degree c (900 degreef)).damage to battery cable insulation has also been alleged as a consequence of serpentine belt failure.odi has received four reports alleging failure of adjacent fluid system hoses from contact with a broken serpentine belt.one report involved an econoline rv cutaway chassis with a 7.3l v-8 navistar engine, used in the transport of disabled children.an engine compartment fire destroyed the vehicle in november 1994.the fire is alleged to have been caused when the serpentine belt broke at highway speed and ruptured a transmission coller line. The report alleges finding belt fragments and traces of transmission fluid up the road from the fire scene, near where the driver had heard a pop just prior to the fire.the driver reportedly sustained minor burn injuries while evacuating passengers.owner reports also allege some loss of vehicle control occurs with the belt failures, due to the loss of power assist capability to the braking and steering systems.the serpentine belt drives the power steering pump and the vacuum pump for the brake booster in the subject vehicles.as stated in ford bulletin 93-23-27: some diesel powered vehicles are experiencing drive belt tracking concerns.this is caused by front end accessory drive (fead) misalignment, which may result in the belt coming off the accessory drive pulleys.if this occurs, several warning lights will illuminate and the vehicle will lose alternator and A/C function and water pump circulation.in addition, steering efforts will increase and, after one or a few brake applications, brake efforts wil progressively increase. There are three odi complaints and five ford complaints, not included in the failure report summary of this resume, alleging that the reductionin vehicle control associated with acessory drive belt failure resulted in an accident.this investigation is being upgraded to further analyze the potential safety consequences of serpentine belt failure in the subject vehicles.

PE94087

Hydraulic brake line cracks/leaksOpened January 25, 1994, closed April 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE94004

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Ford F-350 159

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

See all 159 bulletins for the 1994 Ford F-350

What 1994 Ford F-350 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 17, 2023 · Acceleration · TX

The contact owns a 1994 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 15, 2015 · Tires · 260,000 miles · VA

In march of 2014 I purchased a set of tires from treadwright tires within a very short time I noticed the side walls cracking , before I could get any response I had a blow out on my right from tire at 60 MPH, I went through two more sets with the same results of side wall cracking but no blow outs I am now on my fourth set , they are a different model tire but I am now having a bad vibration some what like I had just before the blow out on the first tire set. Treadwright is being unresponsive now to my warranty claim and not refunding me the cost and shipping of the tires.

Filed Nov 28, 2008 · Acceleration · 229,000 miles · TX · fire

F350 ford supercrew 4x4 7.3 turbo diesel had been sitting for 4 days. Wife comes out of house finds truck on fire in engine compartment on driver's side. The cruise deactivation switch was disconnected.

Filed Sep 6, 2007 · Transmission · 145,900 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 f-350. While driving 20 MPH, all of the sensors failed and damaged the transmission. The contact stated that the sensor lights illuminated on the instrument panel to warn her of the failure. The sensors and the transmission were replaced by a local mechanic. The dealer information was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 145,900.

Filed Sep 21, 2006 · Acceleration · MI · fire

1994 ford f-350 had an under hood fire. *kb a recall was received in refernce to faulty speed control deactivation switch for the consumer's 1995 f-250 but not the 1994 f-350.

Filed Jul 10, 2005 · Electrical · KS · fire

Our 1994 ford f-350 was destroyed by fire originating at the master cylinder today. There was a small brake fluid leak noticed in this area the other day; but I was unaware of the cruise control shutoff switch danger until after the fire. I have received no notice of a recall for this vehicle.

Filed Mar 30, 2005 · Brakes · 299,000 miles · MO

Brake fade. When at a complete stop, pedal will sink slowly but not enough to active a warning light. If pedal is not pressed harder vehicle will roll. Dealership says this is not the first vehicle to do this and has contacted the manufacturer. Vehicle still does it to this day. Master cylinder has been replaced twice, still not fixed.

Filed Mar 17, 2005 · Acceleration · 150,000 miles · TX · fire

When attempting to start the vehicle smoke came from the engine compartment. Consumer immediately got out and disconnected the cruise control cable wires. Then, the smoke stopped.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Fuel system · 137,000 miles · PA

Cracks have accumulated on the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak . Sime vehicles can experience a cross tank fuel condition due to adamaged valve in the fuel pump/sender assembly. Fuel may besupplied from one tank and some or all of the unused fuel may be returned to the other tank. Should this occur, the capacity of the receiving tank may overflow the filler cap.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Electrical · FL · fire

Electrical fire on glowplug wiries ends.

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Questions about the 1994 Ford F-350

Is the 1994 Ford F-350 reliable?

Owners have filed 95 complaints about the 1994 Ford F-350, fewer than a typical F-350 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Ford F-350?

Brakes, with 33 complaints. Next is transmission (22).

How many recalls does the 1994 Ford F-350 have?

5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, seats and parking brake.

Was there a recall on the 1994 Ford F-350 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 94V169001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford F-350 have bad brakes?

The Ford F-350 model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (78 complaints), 2000 (42 complaints) and 1995 (41 complaints).

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