Engine
4.9L 6-cyl
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Tires
39 complaint records3 crash reports
"WHILE LOOKING TIRES OVER, NOTICED CRACKS ON TREAD. CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES . *AK TIRES WERE FIRESTONE STEELTEX P235/85R16. *SLC..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse tires parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
29 complaint records4 fire reports
"IDLER PULLEY CAME OFF OF THE MOTOR, CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND VACUUM PUMP TO FAIL. *SLC..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Power train
21 complaint records3 crash reports
"WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LEAKS OIL AND IS HARD TO SHIFT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER BOX, AND TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA05005 opened Mar 2005 | closed Aug 2006 | Vehicle Speed Control | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES - led to recall 08V025000 EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A... |
| PE96052 opened Aug 1996 | closed Jan 1997 | Suspension | SEPARATED FRONT SUSPENSION CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REPORT THAT BOLTS WHICH RETAIN THE AXLE PIVOT BRACKET TO THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER CAN LOOSEN OR FAIL, CAUSING THE INBOARD END OR THE AXLE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06V286000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. | Normally free |
| 05V388000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. | Normally free |
| 96V161000 | Equipment | 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." | Normally free |
| 96V146000 | Structure | THE CROSSMEMBER FRAME GUSSETS WERE INSTALLED WITH UNDERSIZED THREADED FASTENERS FOLLOWING A BREAKDOWN OF THE PRODUCTION RIVET GUN THAT IS GENERALLY USED. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009292 2009-10-14 | Other | 492,877 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation. |
| 2005028 2005-02-14 | Electrical | 304,417 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is in operation. |
| 1996136 1996-09-13 | Structure | 19 | THE NUMBER 4 CROSSMEMBER GUSSETS WERE INSTALLED WITH UNDERSIZED FASTENERS. THIS GUSSET IS THE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE REAR STRAP OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17571 Feb 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0603 (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE KEEP ALIVE MEMORY ERROR) OR P0605 ( POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE READ ONLY MEMORY ERROR). *TT | |
| 16515 Jan 2004 | Steering | OIL LEAK AT HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FITTINGS AND/OR PLUG. THIS INCLUDES SUPER DUTY F-SERIES. OASIS. *TT | |
| 03213 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NO-START OR REDUCED POWER CONDITION MAY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. *TT | |
| 03218 Oct 2003 | Fuel System | THE WATER-IN-FUEL LAMP MAY STAY ON AND THE FUEL MAY BE SLOW TO DRAIN OR NOT DRAIN AT ALL WHEN THE FUEL DRAIN VALVE IS OPENED. *TT | |
| 03219 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | AVAILABILITY OF NEW SEALANT FOR SERVICING 7.3L DI TURBO ENGINE. *TT | |
| 032111 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | NO START/HARD START AND/OR LONG CRANK TIME FOR VEHICLES WITH 7.3L DI TURBO DIESEL. *TT | |
| 032112 Oct 2003 | Power Train | ON VEHICLES WITH TRANSMISSION BUILD DATES PRIOR TO 9/20/95, THE OVERDRIVE CANCEL LAMP MAY BE ILLUMINATING AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1728 PRESENT AND/OR ENGINE STALL WHEN REVERSE AND/OR MANUAL LOW IS SELECTED. *TT | |
| 032113 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE NOISE SIMILAR T A ROD KNOCK. *TT | |
| 032114 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) BELT MAY WEAR, SHRED AND/OR COME OFF DURING DECELERATION. *TT | |
| 032116 Oct 2003 | Power Train | SOME 7.3L DIESEL E40D EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 5/15/96 AND 7/8/96 MAY EXHIBIT HARSH UPSHIFTS. *TT | |
| 032117 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT MAY ALLOW DUST TO BYPASS DUE TO THE AIR CLEANER ELEMENT COLLAPSING/DISTORTING UNDER SEVERE DUST CONDITIONS. *TT | |
| 032118 Oct 2003 | Power Train | DRIVELINE RESONANCE/VIBRATION BETWEEN 1400 AND 2000 RPM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ENGAGED ON VEHICLES WITH TRANSMISSIONS BUILT PRIOR TO 11/13/95 (5L13). *TT | |
| 032119 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | AN ENGINE VIBRATION AND/OR MOANING NOISE AT 2600-3000 RPM. *TT | |
| 032121 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A HIGH NUMBER OF HIGH PRESSURE REXROTH PUMPS AND INJECTION PRESSURE REGULATORS (IPR) ARE BEING REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKING, WHEN ALL THAT IS REQUIRED IS A NEW GASKET OR SEAL ON EITHER THE PUMP OR IPR. *TT | |
| 032123 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LOW RPM, NO START, RUNS POORLY, STALL. 7.3L DIT ENGINE. *TT | |
| 032125 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | AFTERMARKET WIRING ALTERATIONS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 032128 Oct 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | COOLANT MAY LEAK AT THE REAR OIL HEADER. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 01181 Sep 2001 | Power Train | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB | |
| 15113 Aug 2001 | Fuel System | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL FILL VALVE SEALING CONDITION. *YD | |
| 00239 Nov 2000 | Electrical System | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WITH POSSIBLE ELECTRONC DAMAGE OCCURING TO THE COMPUVALVE FROM VOLTAGE SPIKES BETWEEN THE COMPUVALVE CONNECTIONS WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING THE MAIN COMPUVALVE HARNESS C4025. *TT | |
| 002310 Nov 2000 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 14455 Nov 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT OR REAR CYLINDER HEAD OIL SUPPLY RAIL END PLUGS. *TT | |
| 00133 Jun 2000 | Equipment | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FALSE HIGH SPARK ADVANCE READINGS WHEN USING A NEW GENERATOR STAR (NGS) TESTER. *TT | |
| 98168 Apr 2000 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN CONTROLS, SEPARATOR PLATES AND SEPARATOR PLATE GASKETS USAGE CHART. YD | |
| 00611 Mar 2000 | Power Train | SOME BI-FUEL VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REPLACEMENT DURING SERVICE AND MAY NOT RUN ON CNG OR LPG., RECALIBRATION OF THE PCM/REPLACEMENT. *MJS | |
| 0038 Feb 2000 | Power Train | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SOLID PARTICLE CONTAMINANTS FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR, MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY FLUSHED, FLUID IN-LINE FILTER KIT. *MJS | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
Showing 30 of 178 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Read the tire date codes and look for uneven wear.Uneven wear on this vehicle often points back to the suspension. Four different date codes tell their own story.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 4 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford F-250 →