Ford F-150 Complaints (2023)

402 consumer complaints on file.

#11671709July 7, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Bought used at 10k miles less than a year ago, has a severe leak from the passenger side windshield/cowl area that pours down the body seam saturates the floor, wire channel, and bcm area. This is a safety issue as you can smell a burnt/wet wire smell and the incoming water saturates critical wiring, and is nearby airbag wiring. Vehicle in question has only been owned for a year (of 3 year warranty) but any warranty repairs are being refused as it is 4100 miles outside of comprehensive warranty. However, this is not believed to be due to a component that failed due to mileage but rather a manufacturing defect/quality control in the body adhesive not being applied properly near the firewall/cowl/inner fender frame joint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671486July 6, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On [XXX] at [XXX] I dropped my wife and 2 children off at the Funland Arcade in Deep Creek, Maryland. The parking lot was full from the holiday weekend and I was planning on taking the Lightning to a nearby charger while the family gamed so I double parked perpendicular to the arcade entrance, put the hazards on, and let them out. After the 3 of them got out, I placed the Lightning in reverse to back up 5-10 feet so that I could exit the parking lot through the same way I came in. Once I had enough space from reversing so I could make the turn to exit I placed the Lighting in drive. The moment the Lightning switched to drive it accelerated at a very high speed as if I was flooring the gas pedal, which I was not. The lightning was in one-petal mode which I always use unless I’m on a highway. I immediately began pumping the brakes but the truck would not stop, I probably slammed on the brake petal 4-5 times to no avail. I even tried shifting the truck back into park but it would not shift out of drive. I was able to luckily steer the truck into a hillside approximately 150 feet away. The truck ran over numerous small trees and shrubs before crashing to a stop approximately 16 feet up the hill. Shortly after the shock wore off, I slowly reversed the truck down the hill, exited the truck, and informed dozens of onlookers who came out of the arcade to see what the noise in the parking lot was from, that the truck just took off on its own but that I was fine. I called 911 and the police came. Luckily no people or vehicles were between the arcade entrance and the hillside or the outcome would have been significantly worse. This crash was witnessed first hand by wife and 2 children. I have grave safety concerns about this truck now and will not put my family or self back in it until Ford fixes this problem. I am making this complaint in case this information can help prevent future crashes of this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670956July 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear axle hub bolt was found to be broken off, same as the other recalled vehicles from this manufacturer. I have been waiting over 2 1/2 weeks for my vehicle to be repaired with no parts in stock yet and no loaner vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670862July 2, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while in stop-and-go traffic, while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormally loud plastic-on-plastic sound. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a brake booster failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred two months later. The contact stated that there was popping and clicking sound in the brake pedal. The contact stated that it felt as if the brake pedal was cracking. The failure was more prevalent after being parked or while driving for long distances. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670088June 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
One morning, my 2023 Ford F150 Lightning was completely inoperable. I had it towed to a dealer. From my understanding, it is a wire that runs from the front of the truck to the rear of the truck, and is in the channel about the drive train malfunctioned which seems very strange to me. Got a bunch of codes off the computer. Found some kind of module showing 0-2 volts and when wiggled, it went to zero and stayed. Circuuits CBB95 PINS 11 and 12 and ABB05 PIN 33 at C407 all had zero volts. He consulted Ford's self help and found a Ford contact who'd fixed similar issue. After researching, all was connected back up, he back probed the circuits, and finally found SBB05 grey/red Pin 5 had no current. Ford advised overlaying wire from 3471C to C407 over rear drive unit and secure to harness with zip ties. This successfully cleared all codes and truck worked. This could have been really bad if it happened during the middle of winter when driving putting me and my occupants in danger. I'm not sure what the dealer did with the part, but they replaced the wire and connectors. I had no idication there was any problem until the vehicle became completely inoperable. Ford did not cover this under warranty since i was out of the bumper to bumper warrantee mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670039June 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has had its automatic transmission replaced twice by a ford dealership within a one year period due to mechanical failures within the transmission. The dealership confirmed the same issue both times. Each transmission replacement was new from the manufacturer. The transmission failures caused hard shifting and stalling, which has posed a safety risk. An indicator that the transmission was failing had been the presence of a loud banging/clunking noise when shifting gears.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669609June 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving my 2023 Ford F-150 XLT through a parking lot at low speed, I attempted to stop and shift into reverse to avoid a tight turn between parked vehicles. With my foot firmly on the brake, I shifted into reverse—though the gear shift was abnormally resistant. The system indicated the vehicle was in reverse. Despite keeping my foot on the brake, the truck suddenly and forcefully accelerated on its own, overriding my braking input. It collided with two parked vehicles before I was able to bring it to a stop by turning off the engine. The vehicle continued to accelerate even while I applied firm pressure to the brake pedal, which depressed all the way to the floor and failed to stop the truck. At no point did I press the gas pedal. After impact, the gear shift remained in reverse with a blinking red light. No airbags deployed. This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have seriously injured someone had they been standing nearby. Additionally, for some time leading up to the incident, I noticed increasing difficulty shifting gears even with the brake fully depressed. At times when in park the light for other gear modes would turn on. Indicating the vehicle may be in another mode other than park. The brake pedal has also felt inconsistent, often requiring unusually deep and forceful pressure to stop, whether on highways, city streets, or in parking lots. This appears to be a critical failure of both the braking and transmission systems. I am extremely concerned for my safety and that of other Ford drivers. I am requesting a formal investigation into this matter
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669465June 26, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Bought new a year and a half ago, has a severe leak from the passenger side windshield/cowl area that pours into AC box and then saturates the floor. This is a safety issue as you can smell a burnt/we wire smell and the incoming water saturates critical wiring, and is nearby airbag wiring. Vehicle in question has only been owned for a year and a half (of 3 year warranty) but any warranty repairs are being refused as it is 2500 miles outside of comprehensive warranty. However, this is not believed to be due to a component that failed due to mileage but rather a manufacturing defect/quality control in the windshield or cowl seal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668500June 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
A/C airflow decreases out of the air vents although you can hear the motor blower running at high speed in the dashboard. The cabin temperature begins to increase and if humid the windows will begin to fog up the windshield, side windows and rear window impairing visibility which could lead to an accident if you do not pull over and remove the fog from the windshield/ windows. The dealership has inspected the vehicle, but they are never able to reproduce this issue while the vehicle is in their possession so they do nothing and simply turn away from the concern which many other Ford F-150 owners have expressed to their local ford dealerships and undoubtedly FORD motor company is aware of this issue, but are turning the blind eye as if it doesn’t exist. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the issue occurring. I’m the second owner and this has happened to me twice within 2 weeks of owning this vehicle and I noticed the CarFax showed that my vehicle had been brought in numerous times to the ford dealership to be serviced for this exact same issue that I’m experiencing which has been confirmed by the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667720June 18, 2025
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while while driving at various speeds, the driver’s window switch was depressed; however, the window froze momently and failed to work as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667123June 16, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving down the road, a "service needed" code will pop up on the dash. It will then go away. However, in the next few minutes a "Shift Service Fault" will pop up on the screen. I then get a notification on my Ford app that says I have a Powertrain Fault.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666130June 10, 2025
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle would immediately brake independently without depressing the brake pedal. The Brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed at the owner’s expense; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V509000 (Parking Brake); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665918June 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Sudden unexpected downshifts to first, third or fifth gear causing sudden deceleration, very high rpm, and tire lockup. Occurred at any speed. Sudden deceleration in traffic. Loss of directional control. No warnings. No alerts. It is not safe to drive. It has been at the dealer for 2 weeks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665320June 6, 2025
PARKING BRAKE
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V509000 (Parking Brake); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664790June 4, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Transmission harsh shifting, jerking, sudden loss of power, and unexpected downshifts. Goes into power saving mode every time I shut vehicle off. Remote start never available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664287June 2, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the vehicle was driving rough. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where to was diagnosed and determined that rodents had eaten through the wires, and all the wiring harnessed in the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664210June 1, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Thank you for a chance to file this information. The cruise speed control and lane keeping systems are not working consistently and properly. They fail every week when tested. So far - the dealer-warranty fixes have not been the remedy needed. The cruise control system on steeper slopes doesn't provide braking to stay at the set speed - and at times it doesn't provide any braking resistance - so the vehicle takes off full speed with gravity. The lane keeping system doesn't provide consistent drivers' assistance to prevent departing the lane - even with new/freshly painted center-lanes/side of the road lanes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664001May 30, 2025
WHEELS
Rear Axle Hub Bolt Breakage - the rear axle hub bolt sheared off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663872May 30, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
A considerable amount of water intrusion has occurred in the rear light bar which is for braking and reverse lights. After taking it to my dealer, Ford has stated that unless water is "pooled" inside the unit this is normal, and that some condensation inside the assembly is "normal". I don't believe a sealed unit is supposed to have any water inside it, and this is the exact issue that lead to the recall campaign 23S30, which was performed on this truck in probably late 2023. I am concerned that this water will lead to malfunction as is happening to many other owners on the discussion forums, and I won't know.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663498May 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Told by Ford to create this incident to have my 2023 F150 Lariat added to the Ford FSA list for missing Heated steering -- Heated Steering Wheel Performance Upgrade 22G06. The vehicle matches all of the Affected Vehicles information but was not included on the for FSA list.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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