Ford has issued five separate recalls for the backup camera system on the 6th-generation F-250 Super Duty. Not one glitch fixed and forgotten: five distinct campaigns across four model years, each hitting a different piece of the same reversing-camera pipeline, one of them a repair attempt for an earlier recall that didn't take. If you're shopping a used 2023-2026 F-250, that camera is worth a real test, not a glance. It's a small thing to check and an easy thing to miss on a truck this size, where a bad reverse camera is exactly the kind of flaw a quick test drive won't catch.
This Generation at a Glance
Ford redesigned the Super Duty for 2023: a new front end with seven grille choices, a fully redesigned cab with an 8-inch or 12-inch landscape touchscreen, and two new engines. The 6.2L gas V8 was retired in favor of a 6.8L pushrod V8, and the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel gained a High-Output variant with a new water-cooled turbo. The frame, cab structure, and core drivetrain layout carry over from the 2017-2022 truck, so this is a major refresh built on a proven base rather than a ground-up new platform.
2025 marks a real dividing line inside the generation. Ford dropped the Limited trim and replaced it with a cheaper Platinum Plus package, discontinued the SuperCab in its 148-inch-wheelbase and Lariat configurations, and killed the SuperCab dual-rear-wheel F-350. Engine-to-trim pairing also got simpler: the 6.8L V8 became the standard engine across XL, XLT, and Lariat, while the 7.3L V8 became the standard gas engine on King Ranch and Platinum.
The F-250 comes in regular cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab body styles, always as a single rear wheel (SRW) truck; dual rear wheels are reserved for the F-350 and up. Bed length runs 6.75 feet or 8 feet depending on cab choice. If you're cross-shopping F-250 against F-350, the mechanical story in this generation is nearly identical: same cab, same engines, same electronics, so the recall history below applies to both unless a specific campaign says otherwise.
| Powertrain | Years Available | HP/TQ | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8L V8 (gas) | 2023-2026 | 405 hp / 445 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Base engine, standard on XL/XLT/Lariat from 2025 |
| 7.3L V8 "Godzilla" (gas) | 2023-2026 | 430 hp / 485 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Standard on King Ranch/Platinum from 2025 |
| 6.7L Power Stroke (diesel) | 2023-2026 | 475 hp / 1,050 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Standard diesel option |
| 6.7L Power Stroke High-Output (diesel) | 2023-2026 | 500 hp / 1,200 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | New water-cooled turbo; was standard on Limited (2023-2024) |
Current pricing and inventory: Ford F-250 market data, with per-year pages for 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Powertrain & Trim Breakdown
6.8L V8 (Gas)
The 6.8L is a destroked version of the 7.3L Godzilla, built on the same pushrod, cast-iron-block architecture rather than a clean-sheet design. It replaced the old 6.2L as the base engine in 2023, and starting with the 2025 model year it's the only gas engine offered on XL, XLT, and Lariat trims.
Owner reports on Ford Tremor Forum and Ford-Trucks.com describe a mixed early ownership picture: some trucks needed PCM software updates in the first year, and a handful of owners reported cam tick at idle, oil pressure drops in stop-and-go traffic, or the 10-speed transmission briefly kicking out of 4th gear on a grade under load. None of these point to a single dominant failure mode the way the CP4 fuel pump did on the prior generation's diesel. They read as first-model-year software and calibration teething rather than a hardware defect, and most were addressed under warranty.
The 6.8L shares its low-pressure fuel pump design with several other Ford nameplates, and that pump is the subject of a massive recall covering 2021-2023 vehicles (more on that below). If you're buying a 2023 model specifically, confirm the recall was completed.
7.3L V8 "Godzilla" (Gas)
The 7.3L carries over largely unchanged from the prior generation and has built a strong reliability reputation. CarBuzz has called it the engine buyers pay a real premium to get, citing its simple pushrod design and a documented history of trucks crossing 250,000 miles. Work Truck Online's mileage-longevity study put the F-350's odds of reaching 250,000 miles at 49.1%, and the F-250's at 43.6%, both well above the industry average.
That reputation isn't spotless. Ford-Trucks.com forum members have documented isolated catastrophic failures (no compression, engine won't run) on higher-mileage 7.3L trucks, almost always tied to skipped oil changes or extended idling. Treat any 7.3L truck with thin service records as a bigger risk than the average.
6.7L Power Stroke (Standard Diesel)
The standard-output 6.7L Power Stroke carries a new low-pressure fuel pump design for 2023, a direct response to years of CP4 high-pressure pump failures on the prior generation. That fix didn't eliminate fuel pump risk entirely: NHTSA recall 25V-455 covers a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine while driving, affecting 850,318 vehicles across multiple Ford model lines built between 2021 and 2023, F-250 SD and F-350 SD included. This is a different pump, in a different part of the fuel system, than the CP4 failures documented in CarScout's 5th-gen Super Duty coverage. Confirm this recall was completed before buying any 2023 diesel.
Beyond that recall, the standard 6.7L has a comparatively clean track record for its first four model years. Forum consensus on Powerstroke.org and DrivingLine's coverage of Power Stroke failure points both single out the HO variant, not the standard one, as the engine to scrutinize. Real-world fuel economy tracked by Fuelly across thousands of owner-logged fill-ups runs from roughly 9-12 mpg towing near capacity to the low 20s mpg unloaded on the highway with a light foot, numbers that line up with what owners report on the Ford Tremor Forum's fuel economy threads.
6.7L Power Stroke High-Output (HO Diesel)
The HO diesel is genuinely new engineering, not a tune of the standard 6.7L: a water-cooled turbo, forged internals, and a fuel system rated for the jump to 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft. It was the standard engine on the range-topping Limited trim in 2023 and 2024.
That water-cooled turbo is the thing to ask about. Ford-Trucks.com forum threads flag the design as complex and unproven at scale, with owners noting that coolant flash-boiling under sustained hard towing can pressurize the cooling system and pop a gasket or seal, the same failure pattern that plagued EGR coolers on older Power Strokes. One documented case on Powerstroke.org: a 2023 standard 6.7L owner reported a turbo failure at 7,477 miles, with the exhaust brake failing simultaneously while towing. If you're looking at a low-mileage HO diesel, ask the seller directly whether the turbo has ever been replaced under warranty, and get a cold start on video before you commit.
Trim-Level Engine Pairing
Trim and engine were tightly coupled for 2023-2024, then loosened for 2025. In the first two model years, Limited buyers got the HO diesel standard; from 2025 on, with Limited gone, the HO diesel became an option across the remaining trims rather than an exclusive. That matters for used shoppers: a 2023 or 2024 Limited guarantees the HO diesel and its newer, less-proven turbo, while a 2025-2026 Platinum Plus lets you choose the standard 6.7L instead if you'd rather have the longer track record. Don't assume the top trim automatically means the higher-output engine on the newer model years.
Trim Levels
| Trim | Key Equipment | What to Pay Extra For |
|---|---|---|
| XL | Vinyl floors, manual seats, work-truck spec | Skip unless you're buying a fleet or commercial truck |
| XLT | Cloth seats, SYNC 4, basic tow package | Solid value trim if you don't need leather |
| Lariat | Leather, heated seats, larger touchscreen | The sweet spot for most private buyers |
| King Ranch | Western-themed leather, heritage styling and badging | Buy this one for the interior, not the resale premium |
| Platinum | Multicontour heated/ventilated leather, heated steering wheel | Worth it if you drive year-round in a cold climate |
| Limited (2023-2024 only) | HO diesel standard, Miko suede headliner, dual-pane moonroof | Discontinued for 2025; scarcity may inflate used prices |
| Platinum Plus (2025+) | Replaces Limited; most Limited content at a lower price point | The better buy if you want top-trim features without the Limited premium |
King Ranch and Platinum are a personality choice more than a functional one: both get the same heated/ventilated seating and comparable tech, and the difference is western heritage styling versus modern executive-truck styling. Limited trucks (2023-2024 only) are the rarest on the used market since Ford killed the trim after two years; expect a price premium for genuinely low-mileage examples, and don't assume rarity alone means better condition. The FX4 off-road package ($600 new) adds Hill Descent Control, off-road-tuned shocks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. It's a legitimately good value if you'll ever leave pavement, and cheap enough that it's not a meaningful risk factor either way.
Above FX4 sits the Tremor off-road package, a genuinely different truck rather than an appearance kit: a factory front-end lift, 35-inch off-road tires on exclusive 18-inch wheels, a Dana front axle with limited-slip differential, upgraded mono-tube front and twin-tube rear shocks tuned for off-road abuse, and Trail Control with a rock-crawl mode. Starting with the 2023 model year, ordering Tremor on a diesel truck means you're also getting the HO Power Stroke as part of the package, which ties Tremor buyers directly into the turbo-reliability questions covered above. If you want the Tremor look without the HO diesel's newer, less-proven turbo, a gas-engine Tremor sidesteps that risk entirely.
Which Model Years to Target Within This Gen
| Year | Recalls (CarScout/NHTSA data) | Key Changes | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 campaigns, incl. rear axle shaft, IPC solder defect, and all 5 of the generation's camera-related recalls | Launch year, all-new cab and engines | Caution: confirm every recall was completed before buying |
| 2024 | 4 campaigns, all camera or software related | Minor running changes, no major redesign | Good: fewest recalls of any year in this generation |
| 2025 | 7 campaigns, incl. steering column shifter weld, brake booster spring, driveshaft friction weld | Limited trim dropped, Platinum Plus added, engine/trim pairing simplified, SuperCab trimmed down | Caution: two of 2025's recalls are safety-critical (rollaway, brake loss) |
| 2026 | 5 campaigns, mostly carryover from 2025 | Running changes only | Best value: most 2025 fixes should be baked in by this point in production |
The 2023 truck carries the most recall volume of any year in this generation, which tracks with it being an all-new cab and engine launch. That's not unusual for a first-model-year redesign, but it means a 2023 F-250 needs its recall history checked more carefully than a 2024. The 2025 model year is the one to be most deliberate about: the steering column shifter weld recall (rollaway risk) and the brake booster pushrod spring recall (sudden brake loss) are both genuinely serious, not paperwork-only fixes.
Owner reviews back up the pattern of first-year rough edges. One KBB reviewer of a 2024 F-350 (same cab, electronics, and diesel as the F-250 covered here) described ordering a new diesel XL that needed 11 trips back to a Ford dealer in its first 11,000 miles. Another 2024 owner reported a persistent highway vibration that survived multiple rounds of tire balancing and a full tire replacement. Neither complaint maps to a specific recall campaign, which is exactly why a pre-purchase inspection matters even on a truck with a clean recall history: not every documented issue in this generation has a campaign number attached to it yet.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
All engines:
- Run the backup camera through every mode: standard reverse, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and the 360-degree view if equipped. A blue, black, frozen, or delayed image means one of five documented recalls may not have been completed. Check the VIN against Ford's recall lookup before you assume a fix took.
- Check for a Park-to-Reverse or steering column shifter that feels loose, sticky, or doesn't seat firmly into Park. On 2025 trucks specifically, confirm recall 25V-163 (steering column shifter weld) was completed.
- Press the brake pedal hard with the engine running and listen for a hiss or feel a pedal that sinks slowly to the floor. On 2025 trucks, confirm the brake booster pushrod recall (25V-401) was completed.
- With the truck loaded or at least on a ramp, listen for unusual noise or vibration from the rear axle and driveshaft under acceleration. SRW trucks with the 10.5-inch rear axle have had two separate axle shaft recalls (2023 and 2026 model years) for improperly heat-treated axle shafts that can break, plus a related 2025-2026 recall for a driveshaft friction weld that can fail and cause a sudden loss of drive power.
- If the truck has ever towed a trailer with Ford's integrated trailer brake controller, ask the seller whether the module has thrown any warning messages. A 2025-2026 recall covers a defect in that same trailer brake module across millions of Ford vehicles, this generation of Super Duty included.
- Check the digital instrument cluster for any flicker, blank sections, or failure to fully illuminate at startup. Two separate recalls (2023 and 2025-2026) cover cluster failures tied to a soldering defect.
6.7L Power Stroke HO diesel specifically:
- Ask for a cold start on video, ideally from the seller before you arrive. Listen for a whine or whistle from the turbo that doesn't clear within a few seconds of idle.
- Ask directly whether the turbo has ever been replaced under warranty. A yes isn't automatically disqualifying on a truck that's since had thousands of trouble-free miles, but it's a fact you want before negotiating price.
7.3L gas V8:
- Ask for full service records, specifically oil change intervals. The 7.3L's reputation for reliability depends heavily on maintenance discipline; a truck with gaps in its oil change history is a bigger risk than the engine's overall reputation suggests.
Run every VIN through a recall check regardless of what the seller tells you about completed repairs.
Running Costs
| Powertrain | Fuel Type | Key Maintenance Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8L V8 | Regular/mid-grade gas | Standard V8 service intervals | Lowest fuel cost of the four engines |
| 7.3L V8 | Regular/mid-grade gas | Standard V8 service intervals, strict oil-change discipline | Best long-term durability reputation |
| 6.7L Power Stroke | Diesel + DEF | DEF refills, fuel filters, EGR service | Confirm low-pressure fuel pump recall completion |
| 6.7L HO Power Stroke | Diesel + DEF | Same as standard 6.7L, plus turbo cooling system | Highest capability, least ownership history |
Diesel Super Duty trucks hold value exceptionally well; a three-year-old 2023 F-250 has averaged around $60,200 on the used market according to used-vehicle-pricing research from CarGurus and UsedCarYear, well above what most buyers think of as typical "used truck" money. DRW diesel configurations command the highest resale premiums of any Super Duty combination. If you're shopping this generation on a tight budget, the gas-engine XL and XLT trims are where the real value sits; the diesel and top trims trade at prices closer to a lightly used new truck than a depreciated one.
Real-world fuel economy, per owner logs on Fuelly and forum reports: the 6.8L gas V8 runs 13-15 mpg city, up to 17 mpg on the highway unloaded. The diesel engines do meaningfully better unloaded (up to the low 20s mpg on the highway with a light foot) but drop to 9-14 mpg towing near capacity, so the fuel savings versus gas narrow fast if you tow often. Diesel ownership also means budgeting for DEF refills on top of fuel, plus fuel filter and EGR service that gas engines don't need.
FAQ
Is the 2023-2026 Ford F-250 Super Duty reliable? Core mechanicals are solid, especially the 7.3L gas V8. The generation's real weak spot is electronics: five separate backup camera recalls and two instrument cluster recalls point to a software and supplier-quality problem more than a drivetrain one.
What year F-250 Super Duty should I avoid? No single year should be avoided outright, but 2023 carries the most launch-year recall volume and 2025 includes two safety-critical recalls (steering shifter, brake booster). Verify recall completion on both before buying.
Is the 6.7L High-Output Power Stroke worth the extra cost? Only if you actually need 1,200 lb-ft of torque for heavy trailering. Its water-cooled turbo is newer, less proven at scale, and has documented early failures. The standard 6.7L delivers most real-world towing capability with a longer track record.
How many miles does a 6th-gen F-250 Super Duty last? Too new for long-term mileage data on this specific generation, but the carryover 7.3L and 6.7L engines have well-documented histories of 250,000-plus miles with regular maintenance, per Work Truck Online's longevity research.
Should I buy an F-250 or F-350 in this generation? Mechanically they're nearly the same truck: same cab, same four engines, same electronics, so most of the recall history and known issues in this guide apply to both. The F-350 adds higher payload and towing ratings and a dual-rear-wheel option; buy the F-350 only if you actually need that extra capacity.
Bottom Line
The 6.8L gas V8 on an XLT or Lariat is the safest buy in this generation: proven architecture, lower cost, and none of the HO diesel's unproven turbo risk. If you need diesel towing capability, the standard 6.7L has a cleaner track record than the HO variant so far, and a 2024 or 2026 model sidesteps most of the launch-year and 2025-specific recalls covered above. Whatever engine you choose, run the backup camera through every mode before you sign anything, and check the VIN against every recall on this truck's specific model year rather than trusting a seller's word that "everything's been fixed." CarScout tracks Super Duty listings against your exact spec, trim, and price range, and sends a daily digest email when something new matches.
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Data sourced from NHTSA's recalls database (verified via direct campaign lookup), Ford Tremor Forum, Ford-Trucks.com forums, Powerstroke.org, and real owner reviews from KBB, ConsumerAffairs, and TrueDelta. See the full Ford F-250 market data for pricing and inventory.