Ford F-350: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Ford F-350 problems by model year, from 2,562 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (sold as the F-350 Super Duty). For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Years to avoid: 2011 (49%, 24 drivetrain complaints), 2020 (41%, 75 drivetrain complaints) and 2012 (34%, 59 drivetrain complaints). 3 of the 14 Ford F-350 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2018 (7%), 2019 (9%) and 2017 (10%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2019 (9%) to 2020 (41%), up 32 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2020 drew the most drivetrain complaints (75 of 506 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Ford F-350 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 F-350 | no elevated signal | 22% | 13 | 60 | 11/14 | 1 |
| 2011 F-350 | high | 49% | 24 | 50 | 1/14 | 4 |
| 2012 F-350 | elevated | 34% | 59 | 183 | 3/14 | 4 |
| 2013 F-350 | no elevated signal | 30% | 26 | 86 | 5/14 | 1 |
| 2014 F-350 | no elevated signal | 24% | 22 | 98 | 10/14 | 0 |
| 2015 F-350 | no elevated signal | 29% | 59 | 208 | 6/14 | 5 |
| 2016 F-350 | no elevated signal | 26% | 49 | 209 | 8/14 | 4 |
| 2017 F-350 | no elevated signal | 10% | 57 | 564 | 12/14 | 16 |
| 2018 F-350 | no elevated signal | 7% | 14 | 201 | 14/14 | 2 |
| 2019 F-350 | no elevated signal | 9% | 39 | 467 | 13/14 | 16 |
| 2020 F-350 | high | 41% | 75 | 188 | 2/14 | 18 |
| 2021 F-350 | no elevated signal | 31% | 30 | 96 | 4/14 | 15 |
| 2022 F-350 | no elevated signal | 26% | 29 | 111 | 7/14 | 0 |
| 2023 F-350 | no elevated signal | 26% | 10 | 41 | 9/14 | 0 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford F-350 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Ford F-350 engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns on the Ford F-350 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 53 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2011 | 11V582000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2012 |
| Aug 2013 | 13V380000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | 2012 |
| Oct 2013 | 13V535000 | engine | 2011–2012 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V204000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2015 |
| Mar 2015 | 15V175000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2015 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V778000 | fuel system, diesel | 2017 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V945000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting | 2017 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V802000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2019 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V894000 | engine | 2017–2019 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V278000 | engine | 2017–2019 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V688000 | power train: axle assembly: axle shaft | 2019 |
| Jun 2020 | 20V365000 | power train: automatic transmission: torque converter | 2020 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V576000 | power train: axle assembly | 2019 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V599000 | power train: axle assembly | 2020 |
| May 2021 | 21V390000 | power train: axle hubs | 2021 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V536000 | power train: axle assembly | 2020–2021 |
| Jan 2022 | 22V013000 | fuel system, diesel | 2021 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V256000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2020 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V880000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2017 |
| Dec 2024 | 24V957000 | fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump | 2020–2021 |
| Jul 2025 | 25V455000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2021 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V158000 | fuel system, diesel: delivery: fuel pump | 2020–2021 |
31 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | 10V659000 | structure: body | 2011 |
| Feb 2011 | 11V128000 | electrical system: software | 2011 |
| Aug 2014 | 14V498000 | equipment | 2010–2013 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V246000 | tires: sidewall | 2016 |
| May 2017 | 17V331000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2017 |
| May 2017 | 17V332000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2017 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V526000 | seat belts: rear/other | 2017 |
| Sep 2017 | 17V599000 | seats | 2017 |
| Oct 2017 | 17V652000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2017 |
| May 2019 | 19V401000 | equipment | 2018 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V633000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V808000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2019 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V864000 | latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch | 2017–2019 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V880000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2017–2019 |
| Sep 2020 | 20V575000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2020 |
| Dec 2020 | 20E090000 | steering | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V087000 | equipment: other: labels | 2020 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V090000 | visibility: windshield: critical fasteners | 2020–2021 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V155000 | tires | 2019–2020 |
| May 2021 | 21V379000 | trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly | 2021 |
| Feb 2022 | 22V087000 | structure: frame and members: underbody shields | 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V250000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages | 2020–2021 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V252000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019 |
| May 2022 | 22V337000 | air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette | 2016 |
| Aug 2022 | 22V644000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V420000 | equipment: other: owners/service/other manual | 2019–2021 |
| Jan 2025 | 25V048000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2021 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V270000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2015 |
| Sep 2025 | 25V572000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 |
| Sep 2025 | 25V626000 | steering: column | 2020–2021 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V686000 | back over prevention: software | 2020–2021 |
What the free pages leave out on the Ford F-350
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Ford F-350
What are the worst years for the Ford F-350?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford F-350 years are the 2011 (49% of relevant complaints, high), the 2020 (41% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2012 (34% of relevant complaints, elevated). 3 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Ford F-350?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ford F-350 years are the 2018 (7%), the 2019 (9%) and the 2017 (10%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Ford F-350 have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 506 of 2,542 relevant NHTSA complaints (20%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2011, 2012 and 2020.
Is the Ford F-350 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 3 of 14 Ford F-350 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 11 do not. Pooled across those years, 20% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford F-350?
Yes. NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford F-350 years we track, out of 53 in total: 24V957000 (Dec 2024, 2020–2021), 25V455000 (Jul 2025, 2021), 26V158000 (Mar 2026, 2020–2021), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.