Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford F-250 or the Ford F-250?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Ford F-250 is cheaper to maintain — about $2,887 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 390ci V8 and the 6.7L V8 Power Stroke Diesel?

Across 23 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Ford F-250 or Ford F-250?

The Ford F-250 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Ford F-250 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1974 Ford F-250 vs 2026 Ford F-250 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1974

2026

Engine

390ci V8

6.7L V8 Power Stroke Diesel

Drivetrain

RWD

4WD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

diesel

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

196hp

500hp

Torque

330lb-ft

1,200lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

95 mph

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

4,800 lb

—

Max Towing

10,000 lb

—

Max Payload

3,140 lb

—

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,620

0.11 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$9,507

0.16 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEFord F-250 — Saves you $2,887 over 5 years (44% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$1,092 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$720 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Differential fluid

0.9 hrs$350 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

1.1 hrs$360 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

6.9 hrs$271 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$290 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

4.8 hrs$243 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr

1.1 hrs$215 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$270 / 5yr

Water pump

2.9 hrs$194 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.8 hrs$350 / 5yr

— hrs

Valve cover gasket

2.3 hrs$162 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

— hrs

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Alternator

1.3 hrs$124 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$125 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.3 hrs$79 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

— hrs

0.8 hrs$155 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

1.1 hrs$72 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Ford F-250

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant22.00 qt · Ford ESE-M97B18-C

engine_oil6.00 qt · API SE or SF

power_steering2.50 qt · Ford M2C33-F

rear_diff6.00 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto24.00 qt · Ford M2C33-F

washer1.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Ford F-250

ac_refrigerant · R-1234yf

brake1.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant31.00 qt · WSS-M97B44-D2

engine_oil13.00 qt · API CK-4 or FA-4

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering · none — electric power steering

rear_diff6.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.20 qt · MERCON LV

transmission_auto18.00 qt · MERCON ULV

washer1.30 qt · windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1974 Ford F-250

390ci V8

Ford F-250 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$2,887 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.

6.7L V8 Power Stroke Diesel

View dashboard →