2023 Ford F-350 SD
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2023 Ford F-350 SD has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is electrical problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: while driving the trailer plug melted at the connection to the truck. i got a message that the trailer was disconnected and there were no brakes on the trailer. the plug on the truck is burned.. There are 15 recalls issued for this model year.
54
Total Complaints
15
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
14 complaints- • While driving the trailer plug melted at the connection to the truck. I got a message that the trailer was disconnected and there were no brakes on the trailer. The plug on the truck is burned.
- • While driving the trailer plug melted at the connection to the truck. I got a message that the trailer was disconnected and there were no brakes on the trailer. The plug on the truck is burned.
- • The issue I am reporting concerns the management of the climate control in the vehicle. Setting a desired driver and/or passenger temperature setting is fruitless as the temperature will swing wildly on either side randomly either rendering the output to become extremely hot or cold. The safety conc
“While driving the trailer plug melted at the connection to the truck. I got a message that the trailer was disconnected and there were no brakes on the trailer. The plug on the truck is burned.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2023 Ford F-350 SD
Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 10K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
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. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.
Recalls (15)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, resulting in possible separation of the steering column from the adjoining components.
Risk: A disconnected steering column can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the steering column upper shaft coupler bolts, or install any missing bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 1, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S22.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Ford F-350 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-350 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
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: While driving the trailer plug melted at the connection to the truck. I got a message that the trailer was disconnected and there were no brakes on the trailer. The plug on the truck is burned.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I have an F350 Dually that we use to tow on a regular basis. It is designed to be able to run a 5th wheel or gooseneck, which means the rear tailgate needs to be removed. When you remove the tailgate, none of the cameras on the vehicle work anymore. it would make sense if all cameras but the one on
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: Front doors will not close and latch when it is cold outside. Multiple dealerships have told me there is nothing that they can do to fix this issue. Doors will come open while driving if they don't latch. I often have to use a ratchet strap to keep doors shut from the inside while driving in cold
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) message was displayed; with the “Default See Owner’s Manual” displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle failed t
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 15 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-350 SD — Year Comparison
How does 2023 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 15
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 26
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2023 Ford F-350 SD