YearToAvoid

2010 Ford F-250 Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 23 of 105 total complaints on the 2010 Ford F-250, or 22% of all filings for the year. Median mileage at failure was 45,400 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
23
22% of 105
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
45,400 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Exhaust manifold studs pop loose, letting fumes leak into the cabin and creating a possible exhaust system failure while driving.
  • Rear main seal leaks were reported on a nearly new truck, with owners describing the leak as severe and a fire concern.
  • Radiators fail repeatedly due to a water pump housing machining defect, with some owners replacing the radiator multiple times as mileage climbed.
  • The diesel particulate filter cleaning cycle triggers unexpectedly and cuts engine boost and power during driving, including while crossing intersections in traffic.
  • Owners report the truck stalling or dying unexpectedly and, in some cases, failing to restart, with dealers unable to find a cause.
  • A persistent foul odor in the cabin was reported that dealers could not trace to a specific source.

When 2010 Ford F-250 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 26, 2010, latest Feb 18, 2021.

2010 Ford F-250 engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2010Jun 2011Dec 2011Jun 2016Sep 2017Feb 2020
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2010 to Feb 2021; peak Aug 2010 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Ford F-250

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by F-250 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201023 (22%)
  2. 201168 (18%)
  3. 201263 (20%)
  4. 201322 (19%)
  5. 201421 (13%)
  6. 201549 (17%)
  7. 201635 (12%)
  8. 201751 (4%)
  9. 201818 (5%)
  10. 201936 (3%)
  11. 202033 (13%)
  12. 202115 (9%)
  13. 202222 (18%)
  14. 202312 (28%)
  15. 20244 (11%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2010 Ford F-250?
NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2010 F-250, which is 22% of the 105 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Ford F-250 engine?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to these engine complaints for the 2010 F-250.
At what mileage do 2010 F-250 engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2010 F-250 is 45,400 miles.
What kinds of engine failures do owners report on the 2010 F-250?
Owners describe exhaust manifold stud failures, rear main seal leaks, repeated radiator failures, unexpected loss of power during DPF cleaning cycles, and stalling issues.
Were there any fires linked to engine problems in the 2010 F-250?
NHTSA data shows 1 fire among the 23 engine complaints for the 2010 F-250, with 0 crashes and 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.