The most-reported F-350 run is 1FTWW31R68E (2008 builds) with 15 complaints, 8.8× the typical run. Steering problems make up 16% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 88 recall campaigns for F-350 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-350 has 1,237 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every F-350 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FTWW31R68E•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1FTWW31R48E•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 1FTSW31F6YE•••••• | 2000 | 3 | — | |
| 1FTSW31F1XE•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTSW31F4YE•••••• | 2000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1FTJW36F3VE•••••• | 1997 | 2 | — | |
| 1FTSW31F7YE•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTWW31R28E•••••• | 2008 | 2 | — | |
| 1FTWW31R38E•••••• | 2008 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1FTWW33F2XE•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1FTWW33F5XE•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| 1FTWW31R98E•••••• | 2008 | — | 3 |
Each of the other 1,225 F-350 runs has 8 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 620 F-350 VINs so far, most often 2026, 2024, 2022 builds; 3 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-350 the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 2013 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 1991 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 84 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 43 | 29 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 201 | 89 | 14 | |
| 2007 | 32 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 126 | 67 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 102 | 58 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 136 | 68 | 11 | |
| 2003 | 66 | 51 | 6 | |
| 2002 | 95 | 56 | 8 | |
| 2001 | 120 | 85 | 13 | |
| 2000 | 242 | 125 | 30 | |
| 1999 | 320 | 173 | 39 | |
| 1997 | 118 | 72 | 8 | |
| 1996 | 106 | 68 | 5 | |
| 1995 | 99 | 63 | 7 | |
| 1994 | 75 | 63 | 3 | |
| 1993 | 80 | 65 | 4 | |
| 1992 | 35 | 33 | — | |
| 1991 | 23 | 23 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2013 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 1991 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 16% of everything Ford F-350 owners report: Steering, 342 of 2,104 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 41 | 1 | |
| Tires | 16 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 37 | 11 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 | 22 | |
| Hydraulic | 29 | 7 | |
| Suspension | 8 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 9 | 5 | |
| Fuel System | 4 | 5 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 88 recall campaigns on the Ford F-350; the 6 below cover build years 1991 to 2013. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 07E066000 | Equipment:electrical | 1999–2007 |
| 06V286000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1994–2002 |
| 11V352000 | Exterior Lighting:tail Lights | 2002–2007 |
| 14V498000 | Equipment | 2009–2013 |
| 01X001000 | Tires:tread/belt | 1991–1997 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1992–1996 |
The F-350 against its rivals
The F-350 draws 1.7 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Silverado 3, the GMC Sierra 1.8 and the Toyota Tundra 2.8. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-350 | 2,104 | 1,237 | 7.8% | |
| 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 2,104 reports on the Ford F-350, 7.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford F-350 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,104 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 165 (7.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 103 (4.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 123 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 34% above the all-vehicle rate.
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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-350 share of that is 2,104 complaints over 1,237 runs, 0.19% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford F-350 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,104 NHTSA complaints from 1,237 F-350 runs and 88 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which F-350 production run has the most complaints?
1FTWW31R68E, a 2008 build, with 15 complaints. The typical F-350 run has 1.7.
Which F-350 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 1991 lightest at 1.
Does the F-350 get more complaints than the Chevrolet Silverado?
No: 1.7 complaints per production run for the F-350 against 3 for the Chevrolet Silverado.
How many F-350 complaints involve a crash?
7.8% of 2,104 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 103 involved a fire.
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