The most-reported F-250 run is 1FT7W2BT0BE (2011 builds) with 25 complaints, 13.2× the typical run. Steering problems make up 19% of reports; 2011 is the worst model year at 5.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 96 recall campaigns for F-250 model years 1981–2020.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford F-250 has 1,685 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every F-250 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FT7W2BT0BE•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT6BE•••••• | 2011 | 1 | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT1BE•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT8BE•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT7BE•••••• | 2011 | — | 1 | |
| 1FT7W2BT2BE•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1FT7W2BTXBE•••••• | 2011 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTSW21RX8E•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT3BE•••••• | 2011 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FTSW21R28E•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1FT7W2BT4BE•••••• | 2011 | 2 | — | |
| 1FTSW21R68E•••••• | 2008 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 1,673 F-250 runs has 16 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 800 F-250 VINs so far, most often 2026, 2022, 2024 builds; 12 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford F-250 the gap between build years is 4.3×: a 2011 car draws 5.2 complaints per run, a 1992 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 328 | 63 | 8 | |
| 2009 | 61 | 32 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 281 | 85 | 12 | |
| 2007 | 49 | 35 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 176 | 69 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 121 | 59 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 125 | 52 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 82 | 63 | 5 | |
| 2002 | 119 | 77 | 9 | |
| 2001 | 183 | 116 | 14 | |
| 2000 | 262 | 146 | 29 | |
| 1999 | 440 | 196 | 44 | |
| 1998 | 49 | 40 | 2 | |
| 1997 | 258 | 171 | 15 | |
| 1996 | 146 | 89 | 8 | |
| 1995 | 145 | 102 | 7 | |
| 1994 | 92 | 69 | 3 | |
| 1993 | 101 | 79 | 5 | |
| 1992 | 91 | 78 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 84 | 65 | 3 |
Heaviest year here is 2011 at 5.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1992 at 1.2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Ford F-250 owners report: Steering, 563 of 3,208 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 31 | 2 | |
| Suspension | 9 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 28 | |
| Tires | 24 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 22 | 12 | |
| Power Train | 16 | 11 | |
| Hydraulic | 20 | 11 | |
| Fuel System | 5 | 6 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 96 recall campaigns on the Ford F-250; the 6 below cover build years 1992 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1992–2004 |
| 07E066000 | Equipment:electrical | 1997–2007 |
| 06V286000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1994–2002 |
| 06E052000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1997–2004 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1999–2004 |
| 05V388000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1994–1999 |
The F-250 against its rivals
The F-250 draws 1.9 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Silverado 3, the GMC Sierra 1.8 and the Toyota Tundra 2.8.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-250 | 3,208 | 1,685 | 5.8% | |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 12,784 | 4,198 | 6.6% | |
| GMC Sierra | 5,568 | 3,067 | 6.3% | |
| Toyota Tundra | 6,107 | 2,172 | 4.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 3,208 reports on the Ford F-250, 5.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford F-250 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 3,208 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 187 (5.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 166 (5.2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 142 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 12 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford F-250 share of that is 3,208 complaints over 1,685 runs, 0.29% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford F-250 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 3,208 NHTSA complaints from 1,685 F-250 runs and 96 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which F-250 production run has the most complaints?
1FT7W2BT0BE, a 2011 build, with 25 complaints. The typical F-250 run has 1.9.
Which F-250 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2011 is heaviest at 5.2 complaints per run and 1992 lightest at 1.2.
Does the F-250 get more complaints than the Chevrolet Silverado?
No: 1.9 complaints per production run for the F-250 against 3 for the Chevrolet Silverado.
How many F-250 complaints involve a crash?
5.8% of 3,208 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 166 involved a fire.
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