Short answer
Among Ford F-250 model years through 2024, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2022 has the most (17). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ford F-250: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 27 (2000–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 89
- Fewest recalls
- 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2022 (17)
- Most recalled system
- Back over prevention (29)
Ford F-250 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 6 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Power train, Back over prevention |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 7 | Not rated | Power train, Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2024 | 4 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Exterior lighting |
| 2023 | 16 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Equipment, Steering |
| 2022 | 17 | 4–5 stars | Back over prevention, Visibility, Air bags |
| 2021 | 12 | 4–5 stars | Back over prevention, Fuel system, diesel, Visibility |
| 2020 | 14 | 4 stars | Back over prevention, Fuel system, diesel, Power train |
| 2019 | 11 | 4–5 stars | Back over prevention, Engine, Equipment |
| 2018 | 9 | Not rated | Back over prevention, Engine, Exterior lighting |
| 2017 | 14 | 4–5 stars | Back over prevention, Latches/locks/linkages, Power train |
| 2016 | 3 | 4 stars | Air bags, Back over prevention, Tires |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 stars | Back over prevention, Power train |
| 2014 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2013 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2012 | 1 | 4 stars | Power train |
| 2011 | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Structure |
| 2010 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2009 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2008 | 7 | Not rated | Equipment adaptive/mobility, Air bags, Electrical system |
| 2007 | 4 | Not rated | Equipment adaptive/mobility, Exterior lighting, Seats |
| 2006 | 4 | Not rated | Equipment adaptive/mobility, Exterior lighting, Trailer hitches |
| 2005 | 5 | Not rated | Equipment adaptive/mobility, Electrical system, Exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Tires |
| 2003 | 5 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2002 | 4 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting |
| 2001 | 6 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Air bags, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2000 | 7 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20266 recalls
- 20257 recalls
- 20244 recalls
- 202316 recalls
- 202217 recalls
- 202112 recalls
- 202014 recalls
- 201911 recalls
- 20189 recalls
- 201714 recalls
- 20163 recalls
- 20152 recalls
- 20140 recalls
- 20130 recalls
- 20121 recall
- 20112 recalls
- 20100 recalls
- 20090 recalls
- 20087 recalls
- 20074 recalls
- 20064 recalls
- 20055 recalls
- 20043 recalls
- 20035 recalls
- 20024 recalls
- 20016 recalls
- 20007 recalls
Ford F-250: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford F-250 recalls are back over prevention (29), exterior lighting (14), power train (14), visibility (11) and electrical system (10). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 10 of these 27 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Ford F-250 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ford F-250?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Ford F-250 model years have the most recalls?
2022 has the most, with 17 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "F-250", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy