CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2025 Ford F-350 SD

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 14 safety complaints about the 2025 Ford F-350 SD with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 5 complaints, 36% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2025 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

14 complaints on file

14

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 5 · 36%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 · 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 · 21%
ENGINE 2 · 14%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 · 14%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 · 14%
AIR BAGS 1 · 7%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 1 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 7%
STEERING 1 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 · 7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 · 7%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 14.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 9.

12 9 6 3
25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2025 Ford F-350 SD. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

26V119000 · March 3, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2025 F-250 SD and F-350 SD vehicles. The driveshaft friction weld may fail, resulting in rear driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.
The risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the driveshaft serial number and replace the driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S13. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 11,431 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

26V104000 · February 20, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,381,878 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

25V540000 · August 22, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, and 2025 F-150 vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk
An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S88.

Ford Motor Company · up to 355,656 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

25V401000 · June 13, 2025

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, and F-250 SD vehicles. The brake booster pushrod retaining spring may not have been installed, which can allow the pushrod to disconnect from the brake pedal and cause a sudden loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems" and 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems."
The risk
A sudden loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C26.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,345 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

25V306000 · May 9, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain F-250 and F-350 vehicles. Cracked fuel return line connectors may leak fuel into the engine compartment.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel return lines, free of charge. All vehicles have been repaired. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S44.

Ford Motor Company · up to 5 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

25V163000 · March 14, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column shifter may have been improperly welded and detach from the steering column.
The risk
A detached shifter will prevent the driver from shifting into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering column serial numbers and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S20.

Ford Motor Company · up to 11,621 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

Front end collision at 57 mph impact with another vehicle and air bags did not deploy

NHTSA complaint 11721915. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

The contact owned a 2025 Ford F SD-350. The contact stated that while driving back to the residence, after picking up the vehicle from the dealer, a burnt odor was emitting from the vehicle. The burnt odor was emitting from the A/C vents. Smoke was emitting from underneath the dashboard where the driver-side windshield was located. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the dealer and advised them that the vehicle was on fire. The contact was not injured. No police report was filed. The contact returned to the dealer; flames were visible, and some of the employees used water to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was diagnosed with the speaker located on the driver's side

NHTSA complaint 11693302, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

crash

When putting truck in reverse the rear cameras pop on the 12 inch screen, as I was backing up the screen flashed couple times and froze. Not knowing with no beeping, no real time video or even the collision control braking did not work causing me to back into a concrete light post causing damage to the rear bumper and side panel. This has flickered couple times before but not like this. The truck only has 2502 miles on it.

NHTSA complaint 11729550. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The driveshaft separated resulting in a loss of motive power while we were driving on the highway at around 65-70mph. We heard/felt vibrations, and a harsh noise then a loud popping noise right before/ during the failure. Then heard dragging as we came toward the guard rail. It caused a loss of control of the vehicle almost causing us to crash. We were able to pull to the side of the road while traffic went around us. One vehicle pulled over in front of us checking their car stating they saw something fly out from under ours but then they left. We looked under and the rear driveshaft was hanging down and the vehicle was unable to drive forward or back. When trying to pull it on a tow

NHTSA complaint 11756773, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Trailer Braking System on Vehicle when hooked to trailer will intermittenly fail to recognize connection and not apply brakes to trailer while stopping. Dealership has acknowledged problem exist and cannot isolate cause nor resolve safety issue and returned vehicle unrepaird. First appeared after purchase of new vehicle, dealership continued to claim it was my new trailer. Problem has been ongoing and there was a recall by Ford Motors acknowleding issues with trailer brake system and still unable to repair and returned unfixed.

NHTSA complaint 11747818. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:UREA INJECTION SYSTEM (DEF)

15,512 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) level reading became inoperable with the message “500 Miles to Empty - Refill Soon” displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the DEF gauge had been replaced by the dealer. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,512.

NHTSA complaint 11725341. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2,700 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side wiper arm failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a front passenger's side wiper assembly failure. The contact was informed that the front passenger's side wiper assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the part was on back order. The contact stated that after forty days, the parts were still not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the delivery date for parts was unavailable. The

NHTSA complaint 11722419, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-350 SD

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 7 5 —
2024 44 3 —
2023 41 15 —
2022 111 17 —
2021 96 14 —
2020 188 15 —
2019 467 11 —
2018 201 9 —
2017 573 13 —
2016 209 3 —
2015 208 3 —
2013 9 9 —
2012 29 9 —
2011 43 7 —
2010 50 6 —

Other 2025 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst