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Ford F-250 VIN Number Check

Decode a Ford F-250 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1FT2FT3FT1FD

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Ford F-250

About the Ford F-250

Ford has sold the F-250 in the US since the 1990 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 132 vehicle recall campaigns and 10,883 owner complaints. The 2019 has the most complaints of any model year (1,164). EPA rates it at 11–16 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks
NHTSA recall campaigns132
Owner complaints10,883 at NHTSA
Ford F-250 photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Ford F-250 at a glance

One generation in the data, 1990–2026: 132 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,883 owner complaints.

1 / 1
F-250
1990–2026Standard Pickup Trucks
19901995200020052010201520202025
1990–2026

Ford F-250

EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks
EPA combined mpg11–16
NHTSA recalls132

Engines (EPA)

  • 4.9 L 6-cyl · 1990–1996
  • 5.0 L 8-cyl · 1990–1996
  • 5.8 L 8-cyl · 1990–1996
  • 4.6 L 8-cyl · 1997–1999
  • 5.4 L 8-cyl · 1997–1999

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • automatic (1990–1999), manual (1990–1999)

Known issues to check

Steering (3,335)Suspension (3,040)Engine and cooling (1,744)34 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 10,883 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · F-2501FT7W2BT?KE······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Ford F-250, built in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Check an F-250 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which F-250 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 132 campaigns on file for F-250 model years 1990–2026, and the 2022 shows up in more of them than any other year (17), ahead of the 1999 (16). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2022
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Ford F-250 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2019 (1,164 of 10,883). Tap any bar or generation.

10,883NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026
406mention a crash
402mention a fire
323injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearF-250: 10,883 complaints · most for the 2019 (1,164)

Top complaint areas · F-250

Mentions in 10,883 complaints, 1990–2026.

Steering3,335
Suspension3,040
Engine and cooling1,744
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)901
Electrical system835
Fuel system780
Crashes 406Fires 402Injuries 323

1990–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2019 is the outlier. On its own it has 1,164 of the ’s 10,883 complaints (11%), more than any other F-250 model year, and owners across the generation name steering most often (3,335 mentions), then suspension (3,040).

What F-250 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2017–2022 (4th generation)

The death wobble is the dominant complaint on the 2019. Steering and suspension make up most NHTSA reports for that year, with owners describing violent shaking of the front end and steering wheel after hitting a bump or expansion joint at highway speed, sometimes returning after repairs. CarComplaints ranks a severe wobble at highway speed and a wobbling front end as the top 2019 problems, followed by touch screen and radio failures. A recall covers 2019 4x4 trucks whose front axle wheel end yoke may not be properly welded. [1] [2]

2011–2016 (3rd generation)

The same front end shake shows up on the 2011, where suspension and steering lead NHTSA complaints and owners describe the death wobble starting over bumps above about 55 mph. CarComplaints has a modest number of reports for 2011, led by death wobble, a failed fuel pump and hard shifting. Diesel owners file some engine complaints, but the volume is small next to the steering reports. [3] [4]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, and on 2019 4x4 trucks confirm the front axle yoke recall is done.
  • Ask for records of steering damper, track bar, ball joint or other front end work, and of fuel system repairs on diesels.
  • On the drive, cross bumps and expansion joints at highway speed and feel for any shake in the wheel, and check that the touch screen responds normally.
Sources (4) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2019 Ford F-250
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2019 Ford F-250 problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2011 Ford F-250
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2011 Ford F-250 problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

F-250 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every F-250 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

10,883complaints, 1990–2026
406mention a crash
402mention a fire
323injuries reported
21complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2019 (1,164), 2017 (1,155), 1999 (830)
’90’95830’99’00’05’10’151,155’171,164’19’20’25

2019 · 1,164 complaints

Crashes 16 · fires 11 · injuries 12

Steering776
Suspension678
Unknown or other113
Wheels87
Power train45

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

F-250 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 78 F-250 versions for model years 1990–1999. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 555 g/mi (1991). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

F-2501990–1999

11–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–808 g/mi

1999
12combined MPG
586CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,850EPA yearly fuel cost
—/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
not ratedGreenhouse gas rating
—Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 1999: F250 Pickup 2WD CNG · Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L — 12 MPG · 586 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
450550650750850199019951990 · Gas: 5921991 · Gas: 5551992 · Gas: 5921993 · Gas: 5921994 · Gas: 6351995 · Gas: 6351996 · Gas: 6351997 · Gas: 5921998 · Gas: 5921999 · Gas: 586
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Alternative fuels · DOE

F-250 alternative-fuel versions

DOE data

2 heavy-duty alternative-fuel Ford F-250 listings in the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.

  • Super Duty F250, F350, F450 · Biodiesel (B20) · Pickup
  • Super Duty F250, F350, F450 · CNG - Bi-fuel, Propane - Bi-fuel, Propane, CNG - Compressed Natural Gas, Ethanol (E85) · Pickup

Source: DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center (heavy-duty vehicle search).

Compare rivals

F-250 vs Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram 1500

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 1990–2026. NHTSA lists 132 recall campaigns for the F-250, against 133 for the Chevrolet Silverado and 121 for the Ram 1500. Pick a range to compare.

Ford F-250

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
132
NHTSA owner complaints
10,883
EPA combined mpg
11–16
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 4.9 L · 8-cyl 4.6–5.8 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Steering 3,335
  2. Suspension 3,040
  3. Engine and cooling 1,744

Chevrolet Silverado

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
133
NHTSA owner complaints
32,085
EPA combined mpg
10–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.7 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 4.3 L · 8-cyl 4.8–6.2 L · Electric
Also listed
hybrid, turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Brakes 9,628
  2. Electrical system 4,317
  3. Engine and cooling 4,216

Ram 1500

Model years 1990–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
121
NHTSA owner complaints
24,170
EPA combined mpg
9–26
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.0–3.9 L · 8-cyl 4.7–6.2 L · 10-cyl 8.3 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel, mild hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 3,945
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 3,888
  3. Electrical system 3,785

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Ford F-250 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an F-250

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Ford F-250 (2017-2022 Super Duty) crew cab pickup, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Two stamped locations matter most on the F-250 Super Duty: the dashboard plate readable through the windshield, and the frame rail stamp on the driver's side near the front axle. The driver's door jamb sticker and cab corner behind the door round out four reference points.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Ford F-250 VIN questions

Which Ford F-250 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 1,164, ahead of the 2017 (1,155) and 1999 (830). Those first two alone make up 21% of the 10,883 F-250 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Ford F-250 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 132 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Ford F-250 recalls are high risk?

07V-541 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 89V-141, 93V-125, 94V-040, 96V-071, 92V-112, 00V-424, 07V-336, 09V-399 and 24 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 25V-401. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Ford F-250 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 1990–2026 F-250 at 11–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Ford F-250 compare with the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 on recalls?

For 1990–2026 models the F-250 has 132 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Chevrolet Silverado has 133, the Ram 1500 121. Complaints run 10,883, 32,085 and 24,170 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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