Used car safety, rank #93 of 181
Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD Safety Rating (2017-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2017-20 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD, a very large pickup, compared with its class and with the current model.
The 2017-20 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 29 per million registered vehicle years against a very large pickups average of 37.1, which is 22% below the class average. That places it #93 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 50.8/100.
What the Ford F-350 Crew Cab death rate means
At 29 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD beats the very large pickups average of 37.1 by 22%. The 95% confidence interval is 16 to 42, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 147 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Ford F-350 Crew Cab. It is higher than the Ford F-350 Crew Cab's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for heavier vehicles. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used pickups
The safest very large pickups in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD highlighted. It ranks 2 of the 7 shown; the class leader is the Ford F-250 SuperCab 4WD at a death rate of 22.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-250 SuperCab 4WD | 2017-20 | 22 (2 to 41) | 60.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD (this page) | 2017-20 | 29 (16 to 42) | 50.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4WD | 2017-20 | 32 (22 to 42) | 46.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab short bed 4WD | 2017-20 | 33 (21 to 46) | 45.7 | n/a | n/a |
| Ram 3500 Crew Cab long bed 4WD | 2017-20 | 37 (16 to 57) | 41.4 | n/a | n/a |
| Ram 2500 Crew Cab long bed 4WD | 2017-20 | 42 (7 to 76) | 37.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4WD | 2017-20 | 65 (22 to 108) | 22.0 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for very large pickups: 37.1 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Ford F-350 Crew Cab
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Ford F-350 Crew Cab we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ford F 150 | No award | 76.7 (provisional) |
| 2026 | Ford F 150 | No award | 57.5 |
| 2026 | Ford F 150 Lightning | No award | 29.7 (provisional) |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 50.8 used-car score above.
Safety recalls for the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
16 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering fuel system, diesel, back over prevention, steering, equipment, visibility, power train, structure, tires.
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Fuel system, diesel: delivery, fuel pump
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module software, free of charge.This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 30, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available on each phase.
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Steering: column
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge.
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Fuel system, diesel: delivery, fuel pump
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge.
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Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
Risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge.
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Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, linkages
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim
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Power train: automatic transmission
Risk: Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge.
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Structure: frame and members, underbody shields
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge.
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Power train: axle assembly
Risk: Driveshaft separation may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities, and repair or replace the housing, as necessary, free of charge.
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Tires
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021.
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Equipment: other, labels
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire and Loading Information Label, Safety Certification Label, and the Truck Camper Loading Document (if applicable), free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2021.
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Visibility: windshield, critical fasteners
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021.
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Steering
Risk: If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021.
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Power train: automatic transmission, torque converter
Risk: An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 29 per million registered vehicle years for the 2017-20 Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD, 22% below the class average (37.1 for very large pickups). That earns a used-car safety score of 50.8 out of 100 and rank #93 of 181 used vehicles.
What is the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD driver death rate?
29 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 16 to 42. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Ford F-350 Crew Cab died at a rate of 147 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2017-20 models.
How does the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD compare with other very large pickups?
The very large pickups class averages 37.1 driver deaths per million; the Ford F-350 Crew Cab 4WD sits at 29. Among the 7 very large pickups compared above it ranks 2 by safety score; the top of that group is the Ford F-250 SuperCab 4WD with a death rate of 22.