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1993 Ford F-250 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1993 Ford F-250 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Anti-lock brake lock-up and extended stopping distance.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1993 Ford F-250.

Reported to NHTSA

Anti-lock brake lock-up and extended stopping distance

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

9 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1997-11

“ABS PROBLEMS; ON WET OR GRAVEL ROAD SURFACE, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, LOSES BRAKES COMPLETELY AND SLIDES INTO INTERSECTION, ETC. DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG WITH BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #815577
“INTERMITTENTLY ON SNOWY OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS THE ABS LOCKS UP AND GRABS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE OFF THE ROAD. WHEN BRAKING AT 55 MPH THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK JUMPS UP AND DOWN. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 4 OR 5 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #809894
“ABS: WHEN APPLIED 40 MPH OR FASTER FRONT END VIBRATES SEVERELY, INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES, DIFFICULT TO STEER. *SLC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #800390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake rotor, caliper and drum failures

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2002-07

“WHEN SLOWING TO STOP, FRONT OF VEHICLE VIBRATES ROUGHLY, DUE TO HEAT DAMAGE TO FRONT ROTORS. *DSH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #500804
“METALLIC BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEAT/WARP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #510985
“WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL GRABBED , THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #822867

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel transfer between dual tanks and fuel overflow

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

36 NHTSA complaints · 1995-12 → 2019-08

“WITH BOTH TANKS FULL OF FUEL & THE REAR TANK IS SWITCHED ON,THE GASOLINE IS PUMPED BACK INTO THE FRONT TANK.SINCE THE REAR TANK HOLDS 16 GALLONS OF GASOLINE IT IS PUMPED TO THE FRONT TANK,OVERFLOWING OUT THE FILL NOZZLE ONTO THE GROUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #708406
“DUAL FUEL TANKS. FUEL IS RUNNING FROM FRONT TANK TO REAR WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO OVERFLOW AND LEAK ONTO STREET, RESULTING IN FIRE HAZARD. DEALER REPLACED PUMP ASSEMBLY, AND OTHER RELATED PARTS, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #878441
“CONSUMER FILLED BOTH TANKS ON VEHICLE. UPON DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPILL FUEL. RECALL 93V125000. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #827629

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Drive belt failure with loss of power steering and brakes

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

21 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2003-09

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 55-60 MPH THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY WHEN GEARING THE TRUCK DOWN AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #822162
“WHILE STARTING UP TRUCK DRIVE BELT FELL OFF. ALSO, THERE WERE NO BRAKES OR STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT SIX TIMES. CONSUMER INDICATED IF GOING DOWN A HILL VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CRASHED. NEITHER DEALER NOT MANUFACTURER PROVIDED ANY HELP. *AK *ML”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #859478
“PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUED BY MANUFACTURER REGARDING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE DRIVE BELTS WHICH INCORPORATES WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND BRAKES. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS IS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #813010

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Clutch pedal, linkage and master cylinder failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 1996-03 → 1999-10

“GOING 15MPH, PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WENT TO FLOOR. STOPPED VEHICLE. CHECKED PROBLEM. NOTICED PIECE ON GROUND HAD BROKEN. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC SAID MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACING. COULD NOT ORDER SMALL PLASTIC PIECE FOR CLUTCH. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #824221
“THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE CLUTCH ARM THAT GOES THROUGH THE FIRE ARM PLASTIC PIECE, BREAKS/SNAPS AND CLUTCH GOES TO THE FLOOR. DEALER HAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #827085
“WHILETRAVELING THE CLUTCH WENT COMPLETLEY OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE, KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CLUTCH FOUR TIMES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #847480

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control recall and unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-02 → 2015-12

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD F250. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON OCTOBER 17, 2007 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT YET AVAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10224927
“FIRST REPORTED DEFECT, CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING ON 2 LANE AT CRUISE SPEED OF 40 MPH, ENTERED REDUCED SPEED ZONE, TAPPED BRAKES TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOW TO 30 MPH, RELEASED BRAKE WHEN DESIRED SPEED WAS REACHED, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, 2000 RPM ON TACH., RELEAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #736062
“STARTED VEHICLE NORMALLY AND AS SOON AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, A LOUD 'POP' SOUND WAS HEARD BEHIND THE DASH AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME INTO THE CAB FROM THE A/C VENTS. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED IN PLACE. THE SMOKE SUBSIDED. THIS I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811447

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1,062 crashes 1990–2024

How the 1,062 occupant deaths break down

841

driver deaths

217

passenger deaths

4

not recorded by seat

1,062

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1993 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1993 Ford F-250 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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