NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2023 Ford F-250 Safety Record
The 2023 Ford F-250 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 15 recalls and 43 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2023 Ford F-250 has not been subjected to NHTSA crash testing, leaving its occupant protection in a collision unrated. This absence of data means no Safety Index score can be calculated for the model year. Despite the lack of crash-test results, the truck carries a Heavy burden in both recalls and owner complaints. Federal records detail 15 separate recall campaigns addressing systems ranging from fuel delivery to back-over prevention software. Additionally, 43 owner-reported complaints have been logged, some alleging fire incidents and actual crashes. While these data points do not quantify crash performance, they illustrate a substantial administrative safety record that prospective buyers should review carefully.
The 2023 Ford F-250 was not crash-tested by NHTSA and carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band with 15 recall campaigns on record, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 15 |
| Owner complaints | 43 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Ford F-250?
The 2023 Ford F-250 enters the market with a Heavy recall and complaint burden band designation, stemming from 15 separate recall campaigns and 43 reported owner complaints. This classification is a direct reflection of these figures, not of crash-safety grades. The recall issues themselves cover a broad spectrum of safety-critical components, including fuel delivery, trailer brake control, back-over prevention software, and wiper linkages. One recall specifically addresses the correction of a prior improper repair. Among owner complaints, the Electrical System stands out, accounting for nearly a third of all reported problems. Furthermore, 5 allegations concern the Forward Collision Avoidance system, a key technology in preventing impacts. Two complaints specifically allege a crash, and three report a fire. While direct safety ratings for the 2023 model are not available, sibling years offer some context: the 2022 F-250 achieved a Safety Index of 71, the 2021 model an Index of 88, the 2020 an Index of 83, and the 2019 an Index of 84. These Safety Index scores apply strictly to the tested years and do not transfer to the 2023 model year.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
The 2023 F-250 is named in 15 recall campaigns. Components addressed include windshield wiper and washer linkages, the integrated trailer brake control within the electrical system, the gasoline fuel delivery pump, back-over prevention software, and a power window recall issued specifically to correct a prior incorrect repair on 2023 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 vehicles. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but owners should verify current remedy status for each campaign at nhtsa.gov using their VIN.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES26V204000
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. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. 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 searchabl
Reported 2026-03-31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL26V104000
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.
Reported 2026-02-20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is under development. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, 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 update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS25V157000
Risk: A window that does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is encountered increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S25.
Reported 2025-03-14
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V134000
Risk: An incorrect rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Advanced Drive Assistance System (ADAS) module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S17.
Reported 2025-02-28
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V806000
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tailgate top camera, wire harness, TPASIM module, and update the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S66.
Reported 2024-10-25
STEERING:COLUMN23V847000
Risk: A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Reported 2023-12-15
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT23V595000
Risk: A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the left rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S49.
Reported 2023-08-25
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION23V573000
Risk: An incorrect rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Advanced Drive Assistance System (ADAS) module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2023. The remedy is anticipated to be ready by 4th Quarter 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S46.
Reported 2023-08-11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL23V506000
Risk: An inoperable instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the module or instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C25.
Reported 2023-07-21
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR23V507000
Risk: A window that does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is encountered increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S37.
Reported 2023-07-21
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has logged 43 unverified owner-reported complaints against the 2023 F-250. The top alleged problem areas are the Electrical System with 13 reports, the Engine with 8, Power Train with 7, Service Brakes with 7, and Forward Collision Avoidance with 5. These are unverified consumer allegations submitted to NHTSA and have not been confirmed as defects.
43 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Ford F-250?
Fifteen recall campaigns have been issued for the 2023 F-250, a significant number that potential owners must acknowledge. Any used F-250 from this model year may have open, unrepaired recalls still associated with its VIN. Prospective buyers should consult the free NHTSA recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov to verify the status of these campaigns and confirm with the selling dealer which of the 15 have been remedied. This step is crucial before purchase or delivery to ensure all safety advisories have been addressed.
- The 2023 Ford F-250 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no Safety Index or star ratings exist for this specific model year.
- Fifteen recall campaigns have been issued against the 2023 F-250, covering the fuel delivery pump, integrated trailer brake control, windshield wiper linkages, back-over prevention software, and a corrective power window recall targeting prior improper repairs on 2023 Super Duty units.
- Of the 43 unverified owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA, the Electrical System is the most frequently cited category with 13 alleged reports, and 2 complaints allege a crash while 3 allege fire.
- Tested sibling years carry Safety Index scores ranging from 71 to 88, but those figures apply only to their respective tested model years and cannot be transferred to or used as a proxy for the untested 2023 model year.
FAQ2023 Ford F-250 safety questions
Was the 2023 Ford F-250 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 15 recalls and 43 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford F-250 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 15 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Ford F-250. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Ford F-250?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 43 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Ford F-250. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other F-250 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford F-250 2023.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.