Engine
4.9L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
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.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 81 of 101 complaints with a usable failure date.
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.
Brakes
31 complaint records1 crash report
"VEHICLE EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE WHICH IS A RECALL RELATED FAILURE (92V-026/92S44), HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN#. YH..."- 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 brakes parts in the directory →
Fuel system
23 complaint records3 fire reports
"FUEL TANK SELECTOR AND SWITCH EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 91V146000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *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 fuel system parts in the directory →
Electrical system
21 complaint records11 fire reports
"ENGINE STARTED UP INVOLUNTARILY, NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THEN NOTICED FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, DAMAGING THE INSIDE. *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 electrical system 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA93014 opened Jun 1993 | closed Jul 1994 | Electrical System | ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| EA91044 opened Oct 1991 | closed Oct 1992 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES - led to recall 92V026000 === |
| EA91031 opened Jun 1991 | closed Nov 1991 | Vehicle Speed Control | FUEL EXPULSION - led to recall 91V146000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE91090 opened Jun 1991 | closed Oct 1991 | Equipment | SPARE TIRE FIRES There is no summary currently available |
| PE91077 opened May 1991 | closed Oct 1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES There is no summary currently available |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96V071000 | Electrical System | THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. | Normally free |
| 92V026000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. | Normally free |
| 91V146000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. | Normally free |
| 90V101000 | Power Train | UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE. | Normally free |
| 89V114000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY. | Normally free |
| 88V182000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | FUEL RESERVOIR SHIELDS, THAT PROTECT THE RESERVOIR FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE IN CERTAIN FRONTAL IMPACTS, WERE NOT INSTALLED. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992026 1992-03-10 | Brakes | 40,898 | NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 7.3 LITRE DIESEL AND 7.5 LITRE EFI ENGINES OVER 8500 LB. GVWR AND 4X4 MODELS WITH 5.8 LITRE EFI ENGINES. |
| 1990166 1990-10-25 | Emissions | 5,688 | THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. VEHICLES MAY HAVE FUEL TANK VAPOUR HOSE THAT IS TOO LONG AND MAY BE KINKED NEAR THE CONNECTION TO THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CANISTER. |
| 1990093 1990-06-20 | Emissions | 72 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 7.5 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. INCORRECT EGR VALVE. CORRECTION: EGR VALVE WILL BE REPLACED. |
| 1988163 1988-12-02 | Fuel System | 29 | THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. PROTECTIVE SHIELDS ARE TO BE INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE FUEL RESERVOIRS FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE DURING LEFT FRONTAL FIXED BARRIER IMPACTS AS SPECIFIED BY... |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98158 Aug 1998 | Suspension | FRONT END SHIMMY MAY OCCUR AT VARIOUS DRIVING SPEEDS AND IS USUALLY INDUCED WHEN HITTING BUMPS, SUCH AS LARGE POTHOLES OR ROUGH RAILROAD CROSSINGS. SHIMMY IS NOT ALWAYS VERIFIED DURING ROAD TEST. *AK | |
| 9852 Apr 1998 | Tires | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC | |
| 9864 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 985A29 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC | |
| 985A38 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC |
Show 24 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 985A12 Mar 1998 | Equipment | RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 9848 Mar 1998 | Equipment | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC | |
| 010198 Jan 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP "CAVITATION" EROSION IN THE CYLINDER WALL OF THE ENGINE. *TT | |
| 97511 Mar 1997 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD | |
| 9747 Feb 1997 | Structure | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD | |
| 9748 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ACCESSORY DRIVE BELTS- FEAD BELT COMES OFF- VEHICLES WITH 4.9L ENGINE. *JD | |
| 97310 Feb 1997 | Suspension | NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FASTENER REPLACEMENT. *JD | |
| 97215 Jan 1997 | Unknown Or Other | DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES TO BE USED AS A MASTER COPY - DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM ADISTRA. *TW | |
| 962612 Dec 1996 | Power Train | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96246 Nov 1996 | Electrical System | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW | |
| 96249 Nov 1996 | Power Train | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96221 Oct 1996 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW | |
| 96728 Mar 1996 | Power Train | SERVICE TIP INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVERSE CLUTCH PISTON AND PISTON SEAL USAGE. *TT | |
| 951515 Jul 1995 | Steering | STEERING GEAR-REPLACEMENT OF BENDIX, STEERING GEAR WITH NEW ROSS STEEERING GEAR. *SD | |
| 951112 Jun 1995 | Power Train | REVISED DESIGN TRANSMISSION REAR CASE BUSHING. *TW | |
| 951113 Jun 1995 | Power Train | DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW | |
| BC2681950503 May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LACK OF POWER OR NO START CONDITION MAY BE DUE TO EXHAUST RESTRICTION CAUSED BY A PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND/OR MUFFLER. *TW | |
| 9597 May 1995 | Suspension | UNKNOWN | |
| 95912 May 1995 | Electrical System | UNKNOWN | |
| BC4225 Apr 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE A LACK OF POWER OR NO START CONDITION CAUSED BY A PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR MUFFLER. *TW | |
| 95711 Apr 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LACK OF POWER OR A NO START CONDITION DUE TO AN EXHAUST RESTRICTION. *TW | |
| 9588 Apr 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | KNOCKING NOISE ON INITIAL START-UP. *TW | |
| 95524 Mar 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THERE MAY BE A CONCERN OF POOR PERFORMANCE, COOLANT IN THE OIL AND ENGINE KNOCKING AND/OR HYDRAULIC LOCK ON SOME VEHICLES. *TW | |
| 95619 Mar 1995 | Power Train | NEW DESIGN TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 6 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 F250 →