I have had multiple incidents of my truck shutting off completely while driving. The latest incident resulted in a "catastrophic engine failure". In the latest incident occurring in April 2025, I was driving on [XXX] . [XXX] is a two-lane highway with no divider, navigating through mountainous terrain. I was driving up a hilly area when my truck shut off, and I lost all power steering. There is no shoulder on this part of the freeway, with an approximate 40-foot embankment. I was able to navigate the vehicle to the side of the road and position it just before the beginning of a guard rail beginning allowing me some grace. Due to no shoulder space, I was effectively parked on the white containment line of the road. I had my [XXX] daughter and wife in the car. I had to wait for a break in traffic to be able to open the driver's door due to the proximity to the active highway. I was safely get the truck towed to the nearest FORD dealership, where it was determined the engine was in "catastrophic failure" due to oil engine overfill. I informed FORD that my last oil change was with the FORD dealership and within the recommended time frame. I was informed by a technician that there is an ongoing issue with this engine make (6.4-liter, diesel). The technician stated that FORD is aware of the issue. The technician stated that fuel gets mixed with the oil and causes an "engine oil overfill". None of these issues stems from negligence but rather an unakknowledged issue by FORD. There was a check engine light that appeared at the time of failure. The check engine light had come on, at which point I contacted a mechanic to schedule an appointment. When I arrived for my appointment, the check engine light had disappeared, and I was told that no codes would alert if the actual check engine light was not on during the inspection. That same scenario occurred on approximately 3 occasions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Ford F-350 check engine light comes on
46 of the 2,894 owner complaints about the Ford F-350 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 46
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 7Stalling 6Fuel pump 4Engine failure 3Misfire 2Fire or smoke 2Ball joint 2Won't start 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P20BA 1P0299 1P0088 1
What owners say
On this day, I financed the vehicle and was promised that it was safe to be on the road. This is the second vehicle. He’s done this to me with. He gets these vehicles and just put stickers in the windows and then people break down or their lives are in jeopardy so I left there After I purchased the truck the following day I was driving and I noticed a bunch of defects which included a death wobble, front end parts being bad and engine light being on I took it to another shop and they said that it should’ve never even gotten an inspection sticker I also went on [XXX] and found out that the vehicle did not go through any emissions test and being a diesel it’s supposed to that’s why the engine lights are on on the third day of owing it. The driveshaft snapped right off this Dealership has multiple reviews and reports of being shady and just putting inspection stickers in the windows. He has somebody at another auto shop that he pays extra just to put the sticker in the window Not only is this unsafe for other people it’s not fair and it’s illegal and he does it all the time every vehicle on his lot has issues and the inspections are not done at alll so many issues half of them shouldn’t even be on the road. The dealership is. Low priced auto in Rome ny and the people Who inspect are sharkeys auto in Rome INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the turbocharger. The vehicle was repaired in 2021, but the failure reoccurred in 2025 after 21,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.
My 2013 F-350 Super Duty 6.7 Diesel truck has a problem with the DEF system and power loss. I had a check engine light come on, and an AutoZone scan shows a P20BA Power Train System and a few other codes were noted (see attached documents). I took it to my selling dealer, and they confirmed the Reductant Heater needs to be replaced. I found out there is a recall for this defective part on just about every Ford F-Series 6.7 Diesel "except" my specific year and model. The recall on all of the other F-Series trucks have the same defective part as my truck has. Why is Ford getting away with this. If the part installed in my truck is the same defective part that is being replaced on all of the other trucks, why is my truck not included in the recall, it is the same defective part. It is costing me over $1,700.00 to replace a known to Ford and NTSB, a defective part. I would think Ford should be ordered to include my truck in the recall or replace at cost of parts only and not the full-blown excessive charge I am having to pay. PLEASE HELP
The fuel pump failed and self destructed internal parts of the pump in turn putting metal into the fuel lines resulting in a $15,000 repair bill. The vehicle is available for inspection and has not been repaired. This occurred in November 2024 and has not been driven since due to the costly repair bill. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and independent service center. The only indication of the issue was when the check engine light illuminated. No other preemptive warning.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21M04. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 78,500.
While driving 60 mph, in heavy rain, flat roadway the vehicle down shifted from 6th gear to 4th and from 6th gear to 3rd several times. The shift to 3rd from 6th was hard and accompanied by a temporary loss of forward momentum. No check engine light came on. All temperature gauges remained within normal range. The tachometer jumped and fell wildly during each of the events. I pulled off the highway at the next exit, turned off the ignition, and waited a few minutes. I restarted the truck and proceeded without additional problems.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the front of the vehicle started to wobble. While driving over a pothole, the vehicle wobbled violently. The contact was unable to control the vehicle while driving over 35 MPH. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact detected smoke coming from the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who informed him there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 99,856.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who replaced the reductant heater however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the first repair was covered under Manufacturer Communication Number: 10137151 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who determined the same failure had occurred and a similar repair needed to be completed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the fix was not covered under warranty. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the mechanic replaced the EGR cooler; however, the failure recurred. The contact linked the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21M04 (Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler). The vehicle was taken to a secondary dealer, Heartland Ford (5979 US Hwy 136, Covington, IN 47932) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
- Risk
- An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.
Recall number 13V535000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to build up in rear curbside storage compartment.
- Risk
- Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
- Remedy
- Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1‑502‑426‑5210.
Recall number 13V380000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
- What is wrong
- The sound insulation on the engine side of the dash panel can contact the exhaust manifold.
- Risk
- Contact between the insulation and the hot exhaustmanifold may result in a engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will modify the sound insulator at no cost to owners.
Recall number 92V112000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-350 check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Ford F-350?
Owners who report it most often also describe sudden loss of power, engine stalls while driving and fuel pump failure, and the codes they mention most are P20BA, P0299 and P0088.
Which Ford F-350 years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (9 complaints), 2014 (8 complaints) and 2006 (6 complaints).
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