1996 Ford F-250: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Ford F-250: 4 recalls, 176 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #96V146000 · 1996 · 200 vehicles
What's wrong: The crossmember frame gussets were installed with undersized threaded fasteners following a breakdown of the production rivet gun that is generally used. This gusset is the attachment point for the rear strap of the mid-ship fuel tank.
Why it matters: The subject fasteners can separate causing in the rear strap of the affected fuel tank to become disconnected. A loose or disconnected rear strap allows the fuel tank to possibly contact the road surface increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the crossmember gusset fasteners with the specified alternative fasteners (bolts).
Equipment Vehicle recall #96V161000 · 1996 · 134,770 vehicles
What's wrong: The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Why it matters: Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .
The fix: Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #05V388000 · 2005 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A fire at the switch could occur.
The fix: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to…
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #06V286000 · 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Why it matters: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 25 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (35): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (35).
- Engine & cooling (28): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), fire / smoke (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (19): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (8), leaks (3).
- Steering (17): the most common themes are steering problems (17), noise or vibration (2).
The 1996 Ford F-250 has 176 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 22 F-250 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 177). Complaints peaked in 2000 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 125,940 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (184 complaints, 3 recalls), 1997 (304 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Ford F-250.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Ford F-250, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Ford F-250 problems?
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (35), engine & cooling (28), transmission & drivetrain (19).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford F-250 get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (4.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Ford F-250 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.