Ford F-150 Reliability Problems

F-150 owners have made 5,323 complaints over 32 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 39th in overall reliability out of 42 Ford models, with real engine and windows concerns.

9 Common Ford F-150 Problems

A list of some of the most common issues F-150 owners have to deal with.

  1. Why Do Ford Hoods Corrode So Easily?

    Cars are prone to rust, unfortunately that's just the way it is. This is especially true for those who live in rust belt states where salt is used to clear ice from roads. We can fight the onslaught with regular washes and waxing ... unless…

    Continue reading article "Why Do Ford Hoods Corrode So Easily?" A large patch of hood paint is missing right above the grille, revealing the hood's bare metal.

  2. Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating

    Newer Ford vehicles use an electrical wire coating that is a more eco-friendly, soy-based material. But maybe it's a little too eco-friendly? There's been an uptick in owner complaints about rodents using the coating as a chew toy and causi…

    Continue reading article "Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating" A chewed wiring harness showing exposed copper wiring

  3. Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts

    Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core. The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot, and it’s also a great place to trap moisture and promot…

    Continue reading article "Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts"

  5. Door Latch Failure

    Ford is having a tough time with its door latches. The seemingly simple devices keep finding new ways to fail allowing doors to fly open while driving, or rebound and hit you when you go to close them. The issues have been investigated and …

    Continue reading article "Door Latch Failure" Side view of a gray Ford sedan

  6. 3.5L EcoBoost Shakes

    Ford promised a direct-injected EcoBoost engine capable of producing power while achieving better fuel efficiency. But owners generally categorize the engine as under-powered, prone to catching on fire, and subject to shaking, shuddering an…

    Continue reading article "3.5L EcoBoost Shakes" Black arrow pointing to charge air cooler system

  7. Spark Plugs Stuck in Triton Engine

    Replacing spark plugs in cars has been a relatively simple task since Henry Ford mastered the assembly line, that is unless you have a Ford V8 engine from 2004-2008. Those 3-valve engines hold on to their spark plugs like an anaconda choki…

    Continue reading article "Spark Plugs Stuck in Triton Engine"

  8. Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine

    Ford Triton engines are spitting out spark plugs like sunflower seeds, but the suits in Detroit act like there isn't any problem. They're wrong. We believe this defect affects the following 2-valve engines: Triton 4.6L V8, 5.4L V8, 6.8L V10…

    Continue reading article "Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine"

  9. MyFord Touch Complaints

    Ford's customer satisfaction has been in steady decline since 2010. MyFord Touch was also released in 2010. This is not a coincidence. The system was Ford's attempt at an all-in-one, in-dash communication and entertainment system. What owne…

    Continue reading article "MyFord Touch Complaints"

What F-150 Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

F-150 Generations

The F-150 has 7 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 12th generation (2009–2014).

F-150 Key Numbers

  1. 5,323 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 1,668 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 143 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

F-150 Class-Action Lawsuits

The F-150 has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Lyman, et al., v. Ford Motor Company

    1. Case Filed

      Ford F-150 oil consumption issues have caused a class action lawsuit which includes trucks equipped with 5-liter engines. The 2018-2020 trucks allegedly have multiple defects that cause excessive oil consumption.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2018-2020 F-150
    Location
    Michigan
  • Settlement

    Brandon Kommer, et al, v. Ford Motor Company.

    1. Settlement

      A Ford door latch settlement has been finalized after a truck owner claimed the door latches on the following F-Series trucks may malfunction during freezing temperatures and cause the doors to not open, not close or to suddenly open while driving.

    2. Partially dismissed

      The judge granted all of Ford's motion to dismiss the lawsuit, but said Kommer can proceed with one claim (misrepresentation-by-omission) if he files an amended complaint within thirty days.

    3. Case Filed

      A Ford F-150 door latch lawsuit alleges cold weather and freezing temperatures prevent the doors from being closed or locked, especially in the cold state of New York.

    Problem
    Door Latch Failure
    Class Vehicles
    • 2015-2017 F-150
    Class Members
    Current and former owners and lessees in NY
    Location
    New York

  • Silvia Franco, et al, v. Ford Motor Company.

    1. Case Filed

      A Ford sudden deceleration lawsuit alleges a host of vehicles have defective electronic throttle body control systems that cause the vehicles to suddenly and dangerously lose power.

    Problem
    ETB Puts Escape in Limp Home Mode
    Class Vehicles
    • 2011-2016 Edge (3.5L engine)
    • 2011-2014 Edge (3.7L engine)
    • 2015-2016 Mustang (3.7L engine)
    • 2011-2014 Mustang (GT and Shelby)
    • 2013-2015 Taurus (3.5L engine)
    • 2011-2014 F-150 (3.7L engine)
    • 2015-2016 F-150 (3.5L Duratec V6)
    • 2011-2016 Explorer (3.5L Duratec V6)
    Location
    California

Recent F-150 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford thinks there's a good chance windshields can pop off the latest F-Series trucks during a crash

    because they weren't properly bonded to the structure. And while no injuries have been reported yet, the automaker says this greatly increases the chances of something bad happening during a collision. Yep, that checks out. Owners should be on the lookout for recall notices during the first week of April.…

    keep reading article "F-Series Windshields Recalled for Popping Out During Crashes"

  2. One of Ford's "solutions" to excessive oil concerns in the F-150 was to install new dipsticks with lowered minimum fill level markings. No wonder they're getting sued.

    A proposed class-action lawsuit says Ford needs to properly address oil consumption issues in the 5.0-liter Coyote engine.

    A couple major flaws inside the engine draw excess oil into the combustion chamber where it is burned off. Not only does this mean the engine uses much more oil than advertised, but all that additional carbon buildup causes wear on ignition and emissions equipment.…

    keep reading article "2018-2020 F-150 Owners Sue Ford Over Excessive Oil Consumption Concerns"

  3. Ford is recalling the 2011-2013 F-150 because it can suddenly downshift, causing whiplash and at least five crashes.

    The 6-speed transmission is dropping into 1st gear due to a communication breakdown between the transmission output speed sensor and the powertrain control module (PCM). This can happen at any speed and without warning. Ford believes they can fix the issue with an update to the PCM software.

    Hmm, where have we heard that before?

    keep reading article "F-150 Recalled for Suddenly Dropping Into 1st Gear"

  5. Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core.

    The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. It’s also a great place to trap moisture and encourage corrosion. The end result? A lug nut that’s either too big for a standard wrench or fused so tight you need a drill, welding torch, and 7 Hail Marys to remove it.

    A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design. It also said the automaker is aware of the problems, but won’t honor its warranty by denying any lug nut related claims.…

    keep reading article "The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed"

  6. Ford has recalled over 874,000 F-Series trucks with engine block heaters that can start a fire when plugged into the wall.

    The automaker believes a low and unshielded mounting position is allowing road salt to corrode the heater cable’s splice connector, causing at least three known fires.

    Block heaters are made for cold climates. Road salt is too. I'm not sure how those blockheads forgot to shield those cables in the first place.

    keep reading article "Engine Block Heaters Recaled for Starting Fires in F-Series Trucks"

  7. Leaky master cylinders are causing a sudden loss of pressure in the F-150’s braking system.

    Brakes really thrive under pressure, it’s what pushes the pads against the rotors and keeps your brake pedal from falling to the floor. You know, little stuff like that. In a twist, it’s Ford that finds themselves under pressure from a California lawsuit looking for an expansion of a previous master cylinder recall.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Ford Should Expand a Previous F-150 Master Cylinder Recall"

  8. Anyone out there having trouble slowing their truck down?

    There’s a lawsuit that says a change to the F-150’s master cylinder design is creating a dangerous braking situation.

    All 2013-2018 Ford F-150s use master cylinders supplied by Hitachi, with the pistons fitted with just a single cup seal responsible for containing pressurized brake fluid. The lawsuit alleges this is unusual because pistons within master cylinders are usually fitted with two cup seals to ensure that fluid does not leak out of the master cylinders.

    These single-seal master cylinders have already been recalled for the 2013 and 2014 model years. But instead of changing the design, Ford replaced the defective part with – I bet you can see where this is going – new defective parts.

    keep reading article "The F-150's Single-Seal Master Cylinder Design is Doomed to Fail"

See All F-150 News

What Owners Say About Their F-150

Rodents Can't Get Enough of Ford's Soy-Coated Wiring and That's a Big Problem

I began to wonder why the old truck had no troubles being parked in the same place for 15 years and right away the new truck has this chronic issue. Doing a little Internet research I discovered that the wiring insulation as well as a few other component parts on this and the 2016 models is made from a soy-based material. Turns out that to a rat or other rodent that insulation looks like a tasty little snack!

2015 F-150 Owner

Other Ford Models