Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Ford F-150 problems
Owners filed 360 complaints about the 1996 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between Oct 1995 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is electrical system (60).
Complaints
360
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
22
Reported by owners
Fires
81
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system60
- Fuel system, gasoline47
- Vehicle speed control40
- Service brakes, hydraulic35
- Engine and engine cooling28
- Power train27
- Air bags24
- Tires24
- Steering23
- Suspension23
- Seats9
- Structure8
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Wheels6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
28
26
23
18
44
27
21
15
11
66
10
10
9
6
7
11
2
3
3
4
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 28 |
| 1997 | 26 |
| 1998 | 23 |
| 1999 | 18 |
| 2000 | 44 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
60 reports43 fires
“The contact owns a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the speedometer became inoperable. The driver was unable to accurately determine the speed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.”
Fuel system, gasoline
47 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to shutoff and restart independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the rear tank’s fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no open recall associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated there is an issue with the front fuel tank feeding fuel into the rear tank when the rear tank pump is not operational and having to switch the fuel supply over to the front tank. When the rear tank is full from the front tank feed, it spills over out of the rear tank fill spout, and runs out on the ground.”
Vehicle speed control
40 reports29 fires1 related recall
“The contact owned a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that while parked in the driveway, she observed fire between the finder and the hood. The heat from the fire rippled the front of the garage causing property damage. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the origin of the fire was not determined. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was towed to an unknown impound lot. It was unknown if a police report or fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
35 reports1 crash4 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY HIS MOTHER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS, FUSE BOX, AND RELAY BOX WERE BURNED, AND THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
28 reports6 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FIRE BALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE, NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND FLOOR BOARD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ABS LIGHT FUSE WAS REPLACED CONTINUOSLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140000.”
Power train
27 reports3 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MINUTES. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH, WHICH CAUSED MODERATE VEHICLE DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 187,000. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE AND RUNNING. UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.