YearToAvoid

2023 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2023 Ford F-250 has 43 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 25, and ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped from a lower risk level because of 13 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#16 of 21 F-250 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
43
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
16
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best

Top 2023 Ford F-250 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System13 (30%)
  2. Engine12 (28%)
  3. Brakes7 (16%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (16%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain7 (16%)
  6. Other6 (14%)
  7. Steering4 (9%)
  8. Fuel System3 (7%)
  9. Lane Departure3 (7%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some engines reportedly caught fire under the hood after stalling or seizing at low speed, in one case with no warning lights before the flames appeared.
  • Owners describe the brake pedal failing to slow the truck even when pressed hard, with no ABS engagement and no skid marks.
  • The forward emergency braking system reportedly triggered unnecessarily during left turns and slow maneuvers, locking up the brakes without cause.
  • The instrument cluster and dash lighting have reportedly gone dark entirely, hiding speed and warning information from the driver.
  • Infotainment touchscreens reportedly freeze and the stereo emits a sudden loud tone at full volume, requiring the truck to be shut off and left for several minutes.
  • Owners report factory speakers cutting in and out with static shortly after purchase.
2023 Ford F-250 complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2023Jan 2024Jun 2024Oct 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Apr 2026
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2023 to Jun 2026; peak Dec 2023 (5).

2023 Ford F-250 recalls

16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V489000Jul 28, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras47,587 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention:display function

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C37. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V204000Mar 31, 2026Visibility & Wipers422,613 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

    Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 26V104000Feb 20, 2026Electrical System4,381,878 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:tail lights

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

See all 16 recalls for the 2023 Ford F-250 →

2023 compared with other F-250 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Caution4516412—
2022Caution4012117—
2023Caution254316—
2024Best20384—
2025Caution15167 !—

All Ford F-250 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Ford F-250 reliable?
NHTSA lists 43 complaints for the 2023 F-250, giving it a Complaint Index of 25 and rank 16 of 21 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by 13 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit rather than by the complaint volume itself.
What is the top problem area for the 2023 Ford F-250?
Electrical System issues lead with 13 complaints, 30% of the total, and a low median failure mileage of 500 miles. Engine problems follow closely with 12 complaints, including two fires.
Does the 2023 Ford F-250 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2023 F-250, covering areas including collision avoidance cameras, wipers, the electrical system, and the fuel system. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2023 F-250 compare to other model years?
With a Complaint Index of 25, the 2023 F-250 rates much better than the worst years like 2019 (index 100) and 2017 (index 95), but it does not reach the Good or Best level because of its 13 dealer-visit recall campaigns.
What mileage do 2023 F-250 problems typically show up at?
The median mileage at failure across reported issues is 4,500 miles, with electrical and camera problems appearing even earlier at a median of 500 miles.

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.