Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford F-150. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Consequence
- A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
FORD/EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION LABEL
- Summary
- THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
- Consequence
- INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (324)
324 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 324 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 56 | 17.3% |
| Fuel system | 47 | 14.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 36 | 11.1% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 10.2% |
| Power train | 26 | 8% |
| Air bags | 23 | 7.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 7.1% |
| Suspension | 21 | 6.5% |
| Tires | 21 | 6.5% |
| Steering | 20 | 6.2% |
How 1996 compares with other F-150 years
Best and worst F-150 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 470 | 3 |
| 1993 | 586 | 7 |
| 1994 | 676 | 6 |
| 1995 | 626 | 2 |
| 1996 | 324 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2,758 | 14 |
| 1998 | 1,381 | 8 |
| 1999 | 1,044 | 7 |
| 2000 | 1,075 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1,236 | 8 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 15 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,450
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 593 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 15 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 16 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.8 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 5.8 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 12 | $5,600 | 741 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 F-150 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1996 Ford F-150 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 05V388000 (vehicle speed control), 96V161000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Ford F-150 problems?
Owners filed 324 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (56), Fuel system (47), Vehicle speed control (36) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Ford F-150 get?
EPA rates the 4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 14 city, 18 highway and 15 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 F-150 compare with other years?
Among the 1992–2001 Ford F-150 model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (324) and the 1997 the most (2,758). The 1996 drew 324. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.