Ford F-150 Complaints

2,276 consumer complaints on file.

#11754148August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
For about a year the transmission has been having an issue that has resulted in it now needing to be replaced. Started as periodic hard downshifting between 4th and 3rd gears. Now it periodically up and down shifts hard or skips gears between 2nd and 4th gears.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754146August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My truck has spent 80 days in the shop over 11 visits attempting to repair the transmission since 2023. The truck has a hard downshift from 5-4, 4-3, and sometimes 3-1 while light braking coming to a stop. Sometimes it’s several times per day and sometimes not in an entire week. On average it occurs 2-5 times per week. I drive 40 miles to work mostly on the freeway with little traffic with two stop signs going and one stop sign + 4 lights returning so I don’t have that many locations for the condition to be repeated which means the frequency it occurs is pretty high. It is an hard enough downshift where it clunks real bad and sometimes shutters the truck. The transmision cannot last long term and is likely loosening / damaging other components. One of the hardest downshifts I have felt occurred 2 months ago. It shuttered so bad, it felt something could have been damaged. The same day I was holding speed going downhill and it had a hard shift from 3-2. On several occasions in the last 3 years it had a clunk from 5-6 while accelerating on the freeway. Every few weeks it has a hard shift from 4-3 going uphill for power. The adaptive tables have been reset multiple times. Sometimes that helps for a little bit, sometimes not. Long term it is not a solution. The pan was dropped at one of the last visits and a repair made inside. This did not make any significant changes. The hardest downshift I have ever felt (above) occorred several days after this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754144August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has hard and clunky down shifts from 4th to 3rd gear and occasional hard clunk 3rd to first. Occasionally lurches coming to a stop. Happens frequently and somewhat inconsistently since purchased. Creates drivability concerns when slowing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754132August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I am reporting a safety-related transmission failure I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly failed to engage and then shifted violently, causing an unexpected loss of power and then a change of propulsion. This occurred while merging at highway speed, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed acceleration. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information for 2021–2022 F-150s identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, or turning could leave a driver unable to accelerate as expected and create a collision hazard. An unexpected downshift or lurch can also abruptly alter vehicle behavior. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in 2021 F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754111August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission shifts hard, shifts down intermittently, blown seals twice and gear shifter gets stuck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753882July 30, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Random loss of power when driving vehicle. As occurred when towing and not. Generally occurs when on an incline. Contacted dealer about the condition. I was told there is a recall but not a remedy. It has been a full year now, without a remedy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753868July 30, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I’m complaining that the recall for our vehicle, a software update, has now been over a year with no remedy. No parts need to be made, just a software update.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753799July 30, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
*Brake system failure, complete shut down of vehicle. *Vehicle unable to start. *Vehicle was taken directly to Peoria Ford ( 9130 W Bell Rd, Peoria, AZ 85382) via tow truck on XXX Confirmed when dropped off of brake system failure and vehicle not functioning. *Vehicle was inspected on XXX which we were originally told it was the battery. Although the vehicle was in for trailer software recall on XXX and during inspection at that time battery was in good health. *No warnings until attempting to use the vehicle on XXX and received the brake system failure alert. Vehicle would also not lock. *After battery was replaced by Peoria Ford I was then told the brake system would not release and would need Actuator misalignment reset/replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753728July 30, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was practicing backing up while turning my new approximately 3,000 lb equipment trailer for safety & maneuvering skill purposes. There was no payload in my trailer that I was towing. While slowly maneuvering & turning my equipment trailer in reverse at 1–3 mph, our 2023 Ford F-150 XLT suffered a commanded, abrupt, unexpected sudden acceleration while in reverse, which was not via the gas pedal or my input. The trailer violently jackknifed, made a loud noise on impact to the truck resulting in damage to the truck bed’s right quarter panel at the rear, and a broken right tail light. It happened so fast I had to slam on the break hard, since the truck felt like it would keep backing into the jackknife position with powertrain seeming to struggle to overcome the break for a short instant. I believed at that instant that a mechanical or software or both malfunction caused this since this happened so fast and abruptly. Also to note, the parking break has often turned on or off automatically both during this incident and prior to, both while the vehicle was moving motionless. After looking at the damage, it first appeared to me to be less than a $1,000.00 repair bill, since only a small portion of the right rear corner of the fender was dented and the tail light broke. On Monday and Tuesday however I was surprised to learn after getting estimates that the damage is around $4,000 or more, since the entire quarter panel needs to be replaced - aluminum Quarter panels cannot be welded, and it’s is an 8 foot bed with a huge quarter panel and lots of painting required. I have learned Ford Motor Technical Service Bulletin’s TSB 24-2070 and TSB 24-2176, or possibly other TSB(s) could be the cause. No other vehicles were involved. I drove truck to Bill Brown Ford service department, Livonia, MI 7/29 for a diagnosis. I’m Referencing XXX report number XXX taken XXX on this situation, and [XXX]'s "Reccomended Service" write up # XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753682July 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Day Running Lights in headlights fail. The side LED fails completely requiring the entire headlight housing needing to be replaced. This is a common failure and Ford is not doing anything to help the thousands of customers this is affecting. This failure is widely reported online, in forums and chat rooms. Dealer acknowledges it is a part failure but Ford will not pay for replacement even though it is a design or manufacturing problem with this particular year and style of headlights.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753658July 30, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1. Vehicle sat in a storage unit for 2 weeks. Battery registered adequate voltage when picking up vehicle 2. Started vehicle, engaged 4 Auto due to rain 3. Drove 16 miles in light to moderate rain at speeds of 30-60MPH 4. Made multiple stops at stoplight in town. When waiting at a red light, my foot was on the brake pedal for about 20 seconds, the pedal then jolted up a small amount. The dash immediately displayed several warning lights and messages: Antilock Brake Fault, Antilock Brake System Fault, Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power Fault, Electronic Parking Brake Fault, Hill Start Assist Fault, Precollision Assist Fault, Service Advance Trac Warning, Advanced Front Lighting Features Fault. 5. The light turned green and I proceed to the next light to turn off the main road and park in a neighborhood to call a tow truck. 6. In the process of slowing down for the turn, I applied pressure to the brake pedal, and it went to the floor with no resistance. Brakes were 95% gone. 7. Luckily there were no cars or pedestrians in front of me and I was moving under 30 MPH. This could have been CATASTROPHIC! I was able to use the transmission to downshift to slow the truck down. I was also able to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal to barely slow the truck. When pressing hard on the brake pedal, I could here one or both of the rear tires sporadically screech, as if they locked up a small amount. 8. Finally was able to pull into a neighborhood and call a tow truck to bring truck to dealership. 9. When turning vehicle on to load onto tow truck. The vehicle started as no normal, with no warning lights and normal brake operation. Awaiting further diagnosis from dealer. 10. I have lost all trust in this vehicle if the brake sporadically give out without warning. Luckily this did not happen while going 80MPH on the highway and needing to make an emergency stop. Or while offroading on a shelf road with a 100 foot cliff on the side. Easily could be dead due to this failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753533July 29, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
What happened: On [early July 2026], while towing a cargo trailer at low speed, the electric parking brake engaged unexpectedly. The brake continued to engage repeatedly throughout the duration of travel. Eventually, the parking brake circuit lost power entirely, which is when the repeated engagement stopped. What component failed? The rear axle wiring harness (part of recall 23S35). The harness had chafed against the rear axle housing, causing an electrical short that resulted in repeated unintended parking brake activation. The short eventually compromised the entire circuit, causing loss of power to the brake. How was safety put at risk? A towing vehicle with an unexpectedly engaged parking brake creates immediate risk of loss of control, especially while actively towing cargo. The repeated activations while operating the vehicle could have caused the trailer to jackknife or the truck to slide. This malfunction occurred despite a prior recall repair performed in Quebec under the same recall number (23S35). Confirmation: Both North Star Ford Duluth and Benna Ford Duluth confirmed the diagnosis. Ford Canada opened a claim acknowledging the failed recall repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753461July 29, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side LED Headlight assembly daytime running LED's, the vertical led has gone out in my 2021 Ford f150, while not a major problem, LED daytime running lights increase visibility of other drivers to help in safety. From research, it seems that many of these headlights, the led daytime running lights in the 2021 year model are failing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753448July 29, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel Pump Failed. Ford has stopped sale on the Fuel Pump because of recall 25S75. I need a fuel pump to operate my vehicle. Ford has offered no solution. It has been 10+ months since my fuel pump failed. Why is there no urgency? What am I supposed to do? Ford doesn't care, you at NHTSA don't care.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752853July 25, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Recall Number 25S75 issued July 08.2025 and still not fixed. That is over a year now, how long before they have to apply to the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752582July 24, 2026
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering wheel locked up and the vehicle stalled, and it rolled across an intersection and then stopped. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated that a tow truck arrived, and the tow truck driver could not shift into drive (D), but the vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752520July 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Since shortly after buying my F-150 truck, I have had an ongoing issue with the Brake problem notification light coming on. I have spoken to the local Ford Dealership about this issue several times and had no resolution. They told me they could do an inspection, but it would cost me over $500, and only if they found a warranty issue that they were responsible for would they reimburse me the cost of the inspection. They also said that if the notification light was not on when they did the inspection, they would be unlikely to find an issue even if one existed. The warning light can go days or weeks without appearing and can stay on anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so. I have tried to get the truck to the dealership several times, but it always goes off before I can get there (the dealership is about 40 minutes drive from my house). I am concerned because the warning light comes on more often these days but I still can not get the truck to the dealership with the light on. As the issue appears to be increasing in frequency, I am getting more concerned. The first time this appeared was approximately August 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752501July 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The torque converter inside my transmission on my 2023 f-150 “started coming apart” and has spread metal throughout my entire transmission and transmission cooler. There was no warning signs or lights that were shown to me other than when I noticed the problem which prompted me to immediately set up an appointment with my local ford dealer for a diagnosis and check up. It is a safety hazard because it can cause Sudden Gear Slippage & Power Loss: The torque converter may lose its ability to transfer power to the transmission, causing sudden drops in acceleration or unintended revving where the engine speeds up but the vehicle does not. This is extremely dangerous when trying to merge onto highways.Violent Shuddering: A faulty lockup clutch causes a harsh bucking sensation—often described as driving over a heavy rumble strip—usually between 35 and 70 mph. This can cause a sudden loss of vehicle control.Severe Overheating: Slippage and failing parts generate massive amounts of excess friction and heat. This boiled transmission fluid can melt internal seals, leading to fluid leaks, permanent clutch damage, and a potential engine bay fire if the fluid hits hot engine components. It can also cause Unintended Stalling and the vehicle shut off at stop lights or when driving. The truck is only 3 years old with 70,000 miles which is just outside of the powertrain 65,000 mile warranty. It was investigated and diagnosed by Trilakes ford in Branson. It has since been brought up to ford for a goodwill warranty claim to see what they can do to help with the $13,682 repair cost estimate that was given to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752362July 23, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The driver's side headlamp has a significant amount of shadows within the beam. This is in both the low beam and high beam modes. The shadows are highly visible on the road, and create a significant distraction while driving. This distraction is made significantly worse by the vehicles adaptive headlight system, as the shadows move on the road then you turn the steering wheel. The causes the driver's eyes to focus on the moving shadows, rather than on the road ahead. Additionally, the shadows in the headlamp significantly reduce visibility on the driver's side of the car, making it far more difficult to see animals or debris in the road. The vehicle was purchased new and the issue has been prevalent since the very beginning. Ford customer service will not help. Ford dealers tell me that the see the issues, and it should be that way, but are unwilling to replace the headlamp assembly because the cannot determine the root case (code), and are fearful that Ford will just charge them back for the warrant repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752270July 22, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
I experienced an unintended-acceleration event in a parking lot while maneuvering at low speed. I was alternating between Reverse and Drive to adjust the vehicle’s position within a parking space when, after selecting Drive, the truck unexpectedly surged forward with substantial acceleration. I applied the brakes immediately and with significant force, but the brake pedal felt unusually soft and stopping response seemed reduced. The vehicle struck a large commercial trash bin; I narrowly avoided striking the building behind it. Damage was primarily superficial, but the incident had clear potential for more serious property damage or injury. I have prior experience operating EVs with one-pedal driving and do not believe this event resulted from driver error. Following the incident, I disabled one-pedal driving and have used traditional drive mode. I have not experienced another unintended-acceleration event since making that change. Given the low-speed maneuver, the sudden forward surge, and the apparent relationship to one-pedal-drive operation, I believe the event warrants formal documentation and technical investigation.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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