Lemberg Law is investigating consumer complaints about the 2023 Ford F-250 heavy-duty truck. By mid-September, we found that all complaints to the NHTSA were about the Super Duty (SD) model. The automaker boasts about its power, capabilities, and reliability. Complaints, on the other hand, highlight safety issues that impact those driving on- and off-road. Our investigation revealed a range of issues from major audio issues and brake malfunctions to a life-threatening engine malfunction that resulted in fire destroying a truck.
Most Common Problems
In terms of numbers, our analysis shows that the electrical system is the biggest bugbear for owners. Problems include malfunctioning radios that sometimes make explosive sounds, faulty brakes, and engine failure. More than 45% of complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are filed as electrical system problems. However, more than half of these also include issues with other components and systems.
Forward collision avoidance complaints point largely to the brakes, although complaints about the service brakes also implicate the electrical system and powertrain. Engine and steering problems are also worth highlighting due to safety issues.
Other components and systems listed by complainants include the fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, powertrain, suspension, vehicle speed control, and visibility.
Our investigation included the many recalls that have plagued the Ford F-250. So, let’s start with these.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
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Recalls
Eight recalls that affect the 2023 SD Ford F-250:
Airbags/Steering: 17,970 Ford vehicles may have a steering wheel clock spring that may not have been welded sufficiently. This can affect the electrical connection to the driver’s frontal airbag, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. There are several complaints about steering problems, but none have been linked to this recall.
Backover prevention: 18,513 Ford vehicles may produce rear view camera images that are not displayed when the Pro Trailer Hitch Assist feature is used.
Electrical system: 38,695 Ford vehicles have an instrument panel that may not illuminate because some modules have not been properly welded. Since the instrument panel displays critical safety information this increases the risk of a crash. An owner from Indiana experienced this failure in September 2023, two months after the recall was issued — and only six weeks after purchase. “The instrument panel and other functions of the vehicle just stopped working. We are in contact regularly with the dealership and Ford. Initially, they placed us in a long-term rental since the current truck is not driveable. However, they are wanting to terminate that rental and not provide us with the needed vehicle. Currently, there is not a part to fix this issue.”
Equipment: 29,607 Ford vehicles have a label that states the incorrect load carrying capacity. The danger is that if the vehicle is inadvertently overloaded, it increases the risk of a crash.
Equipment: 691,133 Ford vehicles including the 2019-2023 SD F-250 have incorrect manuals that don’t include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. Without the instructions, there is a chance that they may not be properly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Powertrain: 41,555 Ford vehicles may have a left rear axle shaft that could break. This is because they were not properly heat-treated during manufacture. Although this recall was announced on August 25, 2023, an NHTSA complaint lodged on March 19, 2024, stated that the parts required for the recall were on backorder. This meant that the recall repair could not be undertaken.
Steering: In addition to the recall that involves airbags (see above), 19 Ford vehicles including the SD F-250 have a steering column with missing or improperly tightened shaft coupler bolts. The danger is that the steering column could separate from adjoining components resulting in a loss of steering control. This increases the risk of a crash.
Structure: 1,339 Ford vehicles have front windows that may not reverse direction. Anyone traveling in one of these vehicles risks injury if the vehicle encounters an obstruction.
Equipment: 5,247 Ford vehicles, including the 2023 Ford E-250, are missing tire information on safety certification labels. The risk is that this could lead to an incorrect tire or rim being installed, or even incorrect tire pressure. Either way, this increases the risk of a crash.
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What Owners Are Saying
Our investigation shows that the experiences of owners of faulty 2023 F-250 trucks is varied.
Electrical complaints range from major sound issues with some owners describing explosive sounds. Others report faulty pin trailer connectors, aircon and heating malfunctions, and faulty instrument panels.
Both brake and forward collision avoidance complaints highlight brake problems. Spontaneous braking is the most serious issue, with owners expressing concern about the risks it poses.
There aren’t many steering complaints, but they are serious. One owner describes the “death wobble.” Another describes how the steering wheel spins, presenting drivers with the challenge of maintaining control of the truck.
Most engine complaints focus on disconcerting noises. These include rattles, clicks, and ticking sounds. One stand-out complaint describes how an F-250 suddenly caught alight for no apparent reason.
Common Issues with the Electrical System
Our investigation found that the most common issues with the electrical system relate to the audio system. However, there are other problems we don’t want to ignore.
For example, an owner from California states that the seven-pin trailer connector wasn’t transferring power to the trailer. Since the advanced towing abilities of this truck are constantly highlighted by Ford, the owner was understandably frustrated. He wanted the repair undertaken under warranty. However, after five days at the dealership, no repair was done. Instead, the dealer provided a diagram showing how to replace a fuse. With no repair, the problem persists, says the complaint.
An owner from Texas reports constant issues with air conditioning and heating output, during six months of ownership. The complaint states that the driver’s and passenger side vents “swing wildly independent of settings and require continual manual adjustment or complete airflow/system shutoff. The interior of the cab either bakes or freezes on either side and requires constant operator input to manage. (This is) very unsafe as the driver must continually monitor and adjust looking at the display screen and not the road. Essentially, (it’s) the same thing as texting continually while navigating all driving situations.”
Another Texas owner states that the “Instrument pan is completely out and Ford has no fix for it.” We note that a malfunctional instrument pan or panel can be a safety issue. It may prevent the driver from accessing critical information such as speed, fuel levels, and warning indicators, potentially leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Another dangerous issue reported by yet another owner in Texas states that the “vehicle is designed to cut itself off after 30 minutes of idle time. “Someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed since this is NOT expected or a STANDARD feature of ANY vehicle.”
Audio Issues
An owner from Texas describes hitting the start button for the B&O sound system. “I heard what sounded like an explosion going off inside the truck followed by non-stop noise coming through the speakers of the truck.” Nothing he did stopped the noise, so he drove to the dealership. “I left the truck running and went in to speak to someone in the service department.” An employee “came out and got in the truck and was shocked at what he was seeing/hearing. He stated that he had never heard of this before. He tried everything I did to get the noise to stop but it would not. Eventually, he “changed it from Surround mode to Stereo mode and it stopped and the radio came on and played like normal.” A week later, the complaint states, “My ears still have a constant ringing that hasn’t gone away.”
When an owner from Montana pressed the “push to start,” there was “a loud pop like a shotgun (that) went off in the cab.” Then there was no sound from the stereo. The alarm started going off and the stereo was blasting static noise on full. He had to disconnect the batteries to stop the alarm and turn the radio off.
Another owner experienced several electrical problems at 1,100 miles. “The sound system or the 12” touch screen locks up sometimes so that (the) touch screen doesn’t work. (The) stereo turns off, a sudden loud tone comes on from all the speakers at full volume, and the volume control screen — nothing works to turn it down.” The fix is to turn the truck off completely and wait 5-10 minutes before turning it back on, “and then everything works.” He adds, “It’s like I have electrical gremlins jumping from system to system.”
Brake Complaints
Brake complaints are filed in both Service Brakes and Forward Collision Avoidance categories. They range from squeaking brakes to spontaneous braking.
An owner from New Jersey states, “The truck slams to a complete stop with no rhyme or reason. It senses something that doesn’t exist. This has happened MANY times…” during rush hour, driving around town, and in drive-throughs.
After a similar experience, an owner from Texas turned the automatic emergency braking system option off. “I was behind a semi-truck that was slow rolling in traffic at four miles an hour with a forty-foot gap. I never felt as if the brakes should need to be applied. My new truck began slamming on the brakes for no reason, bringing me to a complete stop. This continued for several miles. This was, and is, very dangerous. The car behind me almost rear-ended me every time this happened.”
An owner from Illinois states that the front emergency brake assistance is “over sensitive.” Multiple times, the “vehicle has locked up in a turn at a busy intersection,” three times while turning, and twice in a fast food drive-through. After nearly being T-boned, he also turned the feature off.
The Illinois owner whose instrument panel cluster failed (see Recalls) also complained about adaptive cruise control and the emergency braking system not working properly. “Our safety is at risk as we don’t know what is going on with the functions of the truck or if it will start.”
An owner from Texas states that the brakes of his Ford F-250 have squeaked from Day One.
Steering
Our investigation shows that significant steering complaints relate to safety issues.
An owner from Georgia reports experiencing a “death wobble.” The complaint states that when the steering wheel is turned to the left, it makes popping sounds. The dealership completed “an unknown repair,” which didn’t help. While driving, the vehicle drove over uneven ground and shook violently. The complaint states that this condition worsened, and the vehicle experienced the death wobble in April 2024.
According to an owner from Kentucky, the steering wouldn’t center itself after making a full right turn. “You must use both hands, spinning the steering wheel as fast as you can to keep from running out of the road or hitting parked cars. The truck will turn a circle if you do not steer frantically to get the turn straightened out.” The Ford dealer maintained that this was “normal” for the 2023 F-250 that had only 1,300 miles. “If so, (there are) lots of accidents ready to happen on the road.”
Engine-Related
Our investigation shows that the most serious engine complaint on file with the NHTSA is from an owner in Arizona. On August 27, 2024, “The engine had a life-threatening malfunction.” The complaint states, “It happened so fast and without warning, we were blessed that we were able to escape the truck without losing our lives or getting severely burned. Anyone who helped or passed by was put at risk due to the fire or possible explosion that could have accrued from the truck fuel tank or trailer propane bottles.” Unnervingly, there was “no warning lamp, message or symptom of an engine problem or failure prior to the engine bursting into flames.” The first alert the driver got after the engine caught fire was the engine being shut off!
Most of the other complaints describe engine rattles and/or abnormal clicking or ticking sounds.
Engine Noises
An owner from LA “heard an abnormal clicking sound emanating from the engine compartment” when he started the truck in August 2023. The dealer was unable to diagnose a failure. However, despite the truck being stationary, the owner related it to Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27. This deals with the possibility of the transmission torque converter overheating in certain driving conditions.”
The letter sent to affected customers states: “An overheated torque converter may result in degraded torque converter function. This can cause noise, vibration, rough idle, or other low performance concerns.”
Another owner states that the engine “made a rattling noise” when he started the truck. It stopped when he turned the truck off. It was left with the dealer for more than a week, but the service staff were unable to duplicate the problem. After receiving a service bulletin “instructing them to up the pressure on the oil pump,” the dealer followed instructions and told the owner it was “fixed.” However, almost two months later, the noise returned. “We are afraid to use this truck as we don’t want to have an engine failure.”
The bulletin warns that “‘the engine may progressively run rough due to cylinder misfire. Additionally, customers may hear engine tapping noises and the Check Engine Light (CEL) may illuminate.”
In a complaint listed as an engine and engine cooling problem, an owner from Ohio reports “an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment” while the vehicle was idling. The truck had only about 400 miles on the clock, but neither the dealer nor manufacturer offered assistance. Additionally, there were issues with the truck hesitating without warning when the driver pressed the accelerator pedal.
Experiencing Any of These Issues? What You Can Do
Are you convinced that your 2023 Ford F-250 is a lemon? If you have recurring problems that affect your use of the truck and its value, it’s possible. But the best way to be certain is to approach a lemon law firm like Lemberg Law for help. We will assess your problems free of charge.
Lemberg Law has investigated problems and negotiated settlements for many consumers. We may be able to do the same for you. It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says the automaker must pay the legal fees for lemon law cases. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. Leave the rest to us.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
