2010 Ford F-250 SD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Ford F-250 SD has 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is steering problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: owner was driving on curvey paved road in rain conditions. back end started to lose traction. tried to correct and steering locked and wheels stuck to right. truck ran off road. mechanic found tie rods broken and steering gear box broken inside. *tr. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.
48
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
13 complaints- • OWNER WAS DRIVING ON CURVEY PAVED ROAD IN RAIN CONDITIONS. BACK END STARTED TO LOSE TRACTION. TRIED TO CORRECT AND STEERING LOCKED AND WHEELS STUCK TO RIGHT. TRUCK RAN OFF ROAD. MECHANIC FOUND TIE RODS BROKEN AND STEERING GEAR BOX BROKEN INSIDE. *TR
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD F-250 SD DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA
- • WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ON LOOP 250 HERE IN MIDLAND, TX I WENT OVER AN OVERPASS CHANGING FROM THE PAVEMENT TO CONCRETE. AT THAT POINT I COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO VERY BAD FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BY COMING TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP VERY CLOSELY AV
“OWNER WAS DRIVING ON CURVEY PAVED ROAD IN RAIN CONDITIONS. BACK END STARTED TO LOSE TRACTION. TRIED TO CORRECT AND STEERING LOCKED AND WHEELS STUCK TO RIGHT. TRUCK RAN OFF ROAD. MECHANIC FOUND TIE RODS BROKEN AND STEERING GEAR BOX BROKEN INSIDE. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2010 Ford F-250 SD
Based on 48 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 43K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
STEERING
SUSPENSION
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
Risk: If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Ford F-250 SD
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford F-250 SD Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2010 F-250 SD, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 48 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: OWNER WAS DRIVING ON CURVEY PAVED ROAD IN RAIN CONDITIONS. BACK END STARTED TO LOSE TRACTION. TRIED TO CORRECT AND STEERING LOCKED AND WHEELS STUCK TO RIGHT. TRUCK RAN OFF ROAD. MECHANIC FOUND TIE RODS BROKEN AND STEERING GEAR BOX BROKEN INSIDE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 15-20 MINUTES, THEN WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF. ENGINE BEGINS TO HESITATE, SPUTTER, SHAKE AND LEADS TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND BEGINS TO BLOW TONS OF WHITE SMOKE, I , MEAN A CLOUD OF SMOKE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: YOU DRIVE THIS TRUCK ON ROUGH ROADS AND THE TRUCK IS BOUNCING ALL OVER AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH MADE ME GO OFF THE ROAD. AS SOON AS YOU HIT BUMPS THE TRUCK SWAYS EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT WHICH HAS GOT ME IN CLOSE CALL FOR AN ACCIDENT. THEN THIS TRUCK LOOSES ALL THE CONTROL PANEL AND SMOKES IN T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 15-20 MINUTES, THEN WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP. THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF. ENGINE BEGINS TO HESITATE, SPUTTER, SHAKE AND LEADS TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND BEGINS TO BLOW TONS OF WHITE SMOKE, I , MEAN A CLOUD OF SMOKE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-250 SD — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 37
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Ford F-250 SD