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2023 Ford F-250 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

ELEVATED COMPLAINT SIGNAL
38%
15 of 40 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

38% of relevant owner complaints on the 2023 Ford F-250 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.

Better than 57% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 3 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 35%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2023 Ford F-250 have engine problems?

More than most. The pattern is elevated rather than severe. 15 of 40 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford F-250 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (38%), and the largest group is filed under engine (8). For comparison, the 2022 scores 39%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
15
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
43
this model year
Fires reported
3
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
0
2 crashes · 1 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13 · 30%
ENGINE8 · 19%
POWER TRAIN7 · 16%
SERVICE BRAKES7 · 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5 · 12%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE5 · 12%

The years either side

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2023 compares with other Ford F-250 years

Of the 14 Ford F-250 years with enough complaints to score, the 2023 is the 3rd-worst on engine and transmission share (38%). The worst is the 2020 (46%), the best the 2019 (8%). By volume, the 2023 drew 43 complaints (15 drivetrain), against 127 for the 2022.

Ford F-250 years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2023 Ford F-250

  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE02/11/2026
I was on an overpass in the left hand lane doing 40-45mpg getting ready to make a left hand turn on an expressway on ramp. I coasted for just a bit and applied the brakes gently, then a little more. The truck was not slowing down like it should have so I applied alot more brake pedal pressure and it slowed down some th…

One of 15 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Checking one particular 2023 Ford F-250? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.

Questions people ask about the 2023 Ford F-250

Does the 2023 Ford F-250 have engine problems?

More than most; the pattern is elevated rather than severe. 15 of 40 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford F-250 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (38%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Ford F-250?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2023 Ford F-250 is electrical system: 13 of 43 complaints (30%) name it, followed by engine (8) and power train (7). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 38% of the relevant total.

Is the 2023 Ford F-250 reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 38% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (elevated signal). That is better than 57% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Ford F-250 years we score, it ranks 3rd-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Ford F-250?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns on the 2023 Ford F-250.

Which Ford F-250 years are better?

Among the Ford F-250 years we track, the 2017 (8%), the 2019 (8%) and the 2018 (10%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2023 (38%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-f-250

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 4 body styles NHTSA files separately.