2023 Ford F-350 Safety Report

2023 Ford F-350: Unrated for crash safety, with early electrical and structural complaints.

36Complaints
0Recalls
45/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
2Injuries
Most reported components: Electrical System (7)Structure,Back Over Prevention (2)Structure (2)Exterior Lighting (2)Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Power Train (2)Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Unknown Or Other (2)Electrical System,Visibility/Wiper (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Ford F-350

The 2023 Ford F-350, despite being a relatively new model, has accumulated 36 NHTSA complaints, including 2 crashes and 2 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths. A significant concern is the lack of official NHTSA safety ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A), which makes a comprehensive assessment of its crashworthiness difficult. The most frequently reported issues revolve around the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 7 complaints, often manifesting as dashboard/head unit malfunctions, camera failures, and pre-collision assist errors. Other notable complaint areas include STRUCTURE (2 complaints, including issues with doors opening while driving in cold weather), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints, specifically regarding insufficient low beam illumination), and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints, with instances of metal shavings in the fuel system and sudden engine power loss). Several complaints highlight potential manufacturing defects or design flaws, such as the 'death wobble' reported at 20,000 miles and persistent issues with front doors failing to latch in cold weather. While there are no open recalls listed for the 2023 F-350 in the provided data, some complaints mention owners receiving notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V806000 (Back Over Prevention, Structure) but facing delays in repair parts availability. The absence of official crash test data is a critical gap, preventing a direct comparison of its protective capabilities against other vehicles. The pattern of electrical and structural complaints, coupled with reports of critical safety system malfunctions like pre-collision assist and intermittent trailer brakes, suggests areas where Ford needs to focus attention for this model year.

Reliability Score

The 2023 Ford F-350 receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2023 Ford F-350

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Ford F-350:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Electrical System Malfunctions
Dashboard and head unit intermittently power down/reboot, camera failures (blue screen, freezing), pre-collision assist errors, and 'vehicle may not start/restart' messages. Can lead to loss of critical safety features.
High Common 1500-20000 miles
Front Doors Opening While Driving
Front doors fail to latch in cold weather and can open unexpectedly while driving, posing a significant safety risk, especially with children in the vehicle.
High Occasional new-unknown miles
Insufficient Low Beam Headlights
Low beam headlights do not provide sufficient illumination, failing to light more than two feet ahead, creating a visibility hazard during night driving.
Medium Occasional new-unknown miles
Fuel System Contamination/Failure
Metal shavings found in the fuel system requiring replacement, or sudden loss of engine power due to low fuel pressure signals.
High Rare new-unknown miles
Sudden Independent Braking
Vehicle independently brakes without an object nearby, potentially causing rear-end collisions.
High Rare unknown miles
Trailer Brake Malfunctions
Intermittent loss of trailer brakes, with 'trailer disconnected' or 'trailer turn signal lights not working' messages despite proper connection.
High Occasional unknown miles
Audio System Screeching/Loud Noise
Audio system 'glitches' causing speakers to screech at maximum volume, unable to be stopped without turning off the vehicle, potentially impairing driving.
Medium Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Ford F-350:

Electrical System 19% of complaints

Frequent issues with dashboard/head unit powering down, camera malfunctions, and pre-collision assist errors.

Structure 5% of complaints

Problems with front doors not latching in cold weather and opening while driving.

Exterior Lighting 5% of complaints

Insufficient low beam headlight illumination creating visibility hazards.

Fuel/Propulsion System 5% of complaints

Reports of metal shavings in the fuel system and sudden engine power loss.

Back Over Prevention 5% of complaints

Camera system failures, including blue screens and freezing, impacting rear visibility.

Forward Collision Avoidance 5% of complaints

Adaptive cruise control inoperability and pre-collision assist not available messages.

Power Train 5% of complaints

Transmission delay shifts and 'death wobble' reported.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Ford F-350

Is the 2023 Ford F-350 safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 Ford F-350 has 36 complaints, including 2 crashes and 2 injuries. A significant concern is the lack of official NHTSA safety ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are N/A), making a definitive safety assessment difficult. Common issues like doors opening while driving and electrical system malfunctions affecting safety features are concerning.

What are common problems with the 2023 Ford F-350?

The most reported issues for the 2023 Ford F-350 are related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints), including dashboard/head unit malfunctions and camera failures. Other common problems involve STRUCTURE (2 complaints, notably doors opening while driving), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints for insufficient low beams), and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints for fuel system issues and power loss).

Are there any recalls for the 2023 Ford F-350?

According to the provided data, there are no open recalls listed for the 2023 Ford F-350. However, some complaints mention owners receiving notifications for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V806000 (Back Over Prevention, Structure) but facing delays in repair parts availability.

How does the 2023 Ford F-350 perform in crash tests?

The 2023 Ford F-350 currently has no official NHTSA safety ratings for Overall, Frontal, Side, or Rollover crash tests (all are N/A). This means there is no public data available from NHTSA to assess its crash test performance.

Should I buy a 2023 Ford F-350?

Given the lack of NHTSA crash test ratings and recurring complaints about critical safety-related components like the electrical system, doors, and lighting, potential buyers should exercise caution. Thoroughly inspect any specific vehicle for these known issues and consider waiting for more comprehensive safety data or recall resolutions.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the absence of NHTSA crash test ratings and recurring complaints about electrical system failures, structural issues like doors opening, and insufficient headlights, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any specific vehicle for these known problems.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Ford F-350

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Ford F-350. The data includes 36 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.