Ford F-150 / 1996
1996 Ford F-150 problems
Owners have filed 383 complaints about the 1996 Ford F-150 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 14.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 11.7%.
Complaints383
Crashes22
Fires87
Injuries21
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 14.9% · 57
Fuel system, gasoline 11.7% · 45
Service brakes, hydraulic 10.4% · 40
Vehicle speed control 9.4% · 36
Power train 7.6% · 29
Engine and engine cooling 6.3% · 24
Tires 6.3% · 24
Air bags 6.3% · 24
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 87 describe a fire, 21 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 35 model years of the Ford F-150 in this data, 1996 sits 32nd by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 8 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 113,250 miles.
In owners' own words
Due to placement of driver airbag the horn buttons are difficult to use when trying to warn other drivers that suddenly veer into my lane. Several coworker that drive similar vehicles have had the same problem. The horn buttons are at 3 oclock and 9 oclock, their size is about 1 inch by 5/8 inch. With the size and placement of the horn buttons in a hurry most times the airbag is hit rather than the horn. Electrical system
Dt: the contact owned a 1996 Ford f150 xlt. A fire occurred in the engine compartment. The fire was first noticed coming up through the hood. The vehicle was not operating any differently than before the fire occurred. The consumer's husband is a mechanic and said it had burned the wiring harness, and was starting in the brake pressure switch. Nhtsa investigation ea05005. *Ak Electrical system
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. Electrical system · reported at 218,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Ford F-150 years
1993 753 complaints · 37.1% fuel system, gasoline 1994 908 complaints · 19.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1995 788 complaints · 22.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 3,285 complaints · 17.1% engine and engine cooling 1998 1,624 complaints · 11.6% fuel system, gasoline 1999 1,323 complaints · 17.3% engine and engine cooling