Is the 2015 Ford F-250 SD a bad year?
297 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other F-250 SD years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Ford F-250 SD are in line with other F-250 SD years. Steering and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 F-250 SD owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 126 (42%) | 38k–97k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 124 (42%) | 54k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 45 (15%) | 14k–75k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 34 (11%) | 55k–114k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (6%) | 27k–155k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 9 (3%) | 36k–80k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 22 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 297 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 18 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The truck has 87,000 miles and I was driving 45 MPH, engine light came on the truck jurked like back fire, no brakes no acceleration .
Vehicle is 34 months old with 47,000 miles. Radiator has to be replaced due to leak in the left front area of the radiator.
2015 powerstroke 6.7 diesel engine has <15,000 miles. Hammering of engine at all speeds. Lasting less than 8-10 seconds in duration.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Ford F-250 SD: 5
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse. A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image. A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed. The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
An error with the transmission control software may be such that while shifting from "Park" to "Drive" the vehicle may display "Drive" but possibly engage "Reverse" for 1.5 seconds before engaging "Drive." If the vehicle is in "Reverse" while the while the gear selection shows "Drive," unexpected movement could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 143
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Ford F-250 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some 2013-2016 Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine and 2015-2019 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2L diesel engine may not pass a state…
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module…
Some 2011-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Some vehicles may experience a transmission fluid leak from a cracked transmission case or transmission fluid pan
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Neighbouring years
2014 F-250 SD: 169 complaints, keep it · 2016 F-250 SD: 291 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford F-250 SD year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-250 SD years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 Ford F-250 SD a bad year?
297 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other F-250 SD years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Ford F-250 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (126), suspension (124), engine (45), fuel system (34), transmission and drivetrain (19).
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford F-250 SD have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-572), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-270), Suspension (NHTSA 20E090000), Equipment (NHTSA 19V-401) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.