2025 Ford F-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2025 Ford F-450 has a complaint index of 70 with 2 complaints logged and 4 recalls, including 1 do-not-drive brake recall. It ranks 7th worst among 21 model years of data, with no verdict yet assigned.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 F-450 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2025 Ford F-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (50%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission fails while towing a large trailer, jumping into 10th gear, losing power, and throwing a check engine light before slamming back into 4th gear and refusing to shift.
- A replacement transmission exhibited the same failure pattern again shortly after installation while towing uphill.
- Continental tires installed by Ford show uneven tread wear and cupping, with the outer front tread wearing out.
- Replacement tires developed the same wear issue again after further miles, with some owners reporting tires ripping apart.
2025 Ford F-450 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 driverâs 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.
- NHTSA 25V540000Aug 22, 2025Electrical System355,656 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, and 2025 F-150 vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S88.
- NHTSA 25V401000Jun 13, 2025Brakes2,345 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-550 SD, F-450 SD, F-350 SD, and F-250 SD vehicles. The brake booster pushrod retaining spring may not have been installed, which can allow the pushrod to disconnect from the brake pedal and cause a sudden loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems" and 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems."
Risk: A sudden loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. Dealers will inspect and repair the brake pedal assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C26.
2025 compared with other F-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Ford F-450 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 2 complaints and a complaint index of 70 for the 2025 F-450, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years of data. No verdict has been assigned yet since the model year is still early in its complaint-reporting cycle.
- Does the 2025 Ford F-450 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2025 F-450, including a do-not-drive brake recall for a missing pushrod retaining spring, an electrical system recall for the instrument panel cluster, an integrated trailer module software issue, and a steering column shifter welding defect.
- What is the top reported problem area for the 2025 Ford F-450?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires and Transmission & Powertrain are tied, each accounting for 50% of the complaints on file.
- Is the brake recall on the 2025 Ford F-450 serious?
- Yes. Recall 25V401000 is a do-not-drive recall because the brake booster pushrod retaining spring may not have been installed, which can let the pushrod disconnect from the brake system.
- How does the 2025 F-450 compare to other recent F-450 model years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is lower than the 2022 F-450 (95, Avoid) and 2020 F-450 (90, Avoid), but higher than the 2023 F-450 (60, Caution).