1996 Ford F-250 Sd recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The fix: 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, 200…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 F-250 SD.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V399000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-222-2751.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09S09. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1996 Ford F-250 Sd owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (4), Wheels / tires (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2), Fuel system (1), Diesel (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/09/2014 · Wheels / tires
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 TH…
01/16/2013 · Vehicle Speed Control
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 U…
03/02/2012 · Wheels / tires
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. *TR
06/05/2009 · Fuel system
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…
09/04/2008 · Engine
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. *TR
12/18/2007 · Engine
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 CURREN…
09/11/2007 · Brakes
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 HOLDIN…
01/27/2007 · Engine
TRUCK STALLED OR QUIT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. *JB