Common problems

Ford F-150 Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Ford F-150 model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated June 2026

Owner complaints
5,612

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Power Train

8 affected years

Crash reports
157

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
57

151 injuries · 4 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Ford F-150 problem categories

#1

Power Train

2,051complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2018.

#2

Electrical System

671complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2022.

#3

Unknown Or Other

565complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2018.

#4

Engine

778complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2018.

#5

Structure

248complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2018.

#6

Exterior Lighting

173complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2021.

#7

Service Brakes

30complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2023.

#8

Engine And Engine Cooling

137complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2018.

#9

Visibility

115complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2021.

#10

Fuel System, Gasoline

27complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2022.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Ford F-150 model year

2018 Ford F-150538 reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with the 10R80 automatic transmission, including hard shifting, unintended downshifting, and the vehicle dropping out of gear into neutral. Symptoms often include the transmission failing to shift correctly, causing the vehicle to jerk, hesitate, or stall, with some reports of the truck being unable to accelerate properly. These issues typically begin around 70,000 to 100,000 miles, although some occur as early as 38,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes, near misses, and loss of control, particularly when the vehicle unexpectedly shifts or loses power. Buyers considering a used 2018 F-150 should be aware of these potential transmission problems and the associated repair costs.

Severity signals: 5 crash, 1 fire, 5 injury reports

2019 Ford F-150479 reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2019 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with the vehicle's power train, particularly the transmission. Common symptoms include hard or erratic shifting, slipping gears, and transmission failure, often resulting in jerking or temporary loss of power. These problems typically arise between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, though some reports detail failures as early as 20,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with two complaints involving crashes and one injury, as well as descriptions of near-accidents due to unexpected downshifts or loss of acceleration. Buyers should be aware of potential repair costs, as several owners mention expensive diagnoses and repairs, including full transmission replacements.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2018 Ford F-150274 reports

ENGINE

Owners report that the 2018 Ford F-150 commonly experiences issues with the cam phasers, leading to rattling noises upon cold start, especially noticeable around 40,000 to 70,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention abnormal engine sounds, rough idling, and in some cases, complete engine failure linked to excessive oil consumption. Some reports indicate that these issues have led to significant repair costs, often exceeding several thousand dollars. Safety implications are noted in incidents where engine failure occurs at highway speeds, resulting in loss of power steering and braking assist. Additionally, two complaints involve engine fires, highlighting a potential safety risk. These patterns suggest potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated repair costs.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports

2021 Ford F-150229 reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2021 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving transmission problems and rear axle hub bolt failures. Common symptoms include the transmission downshifting unexpectedly, causing the wheels to lock up, and hard shifting between gears, especially from 1st to 3rd, which can lead to fishtailing. Some owners mention these issues occurring as early as 19,500 miles, while others note problems at higher mileages like 66,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with reports of two crashes and one injury linked to these failures. Additionally, many owners express frustration over delays in recall repairs due to parts being on backorder, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2020 Ford F-150164 reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2020 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving the 10-speed transmission. Common symptoms include harsh shifting, unexpected downshifts, clunking noises, and erratic gear changes, often occurring between 60,000 to 120,000 miles. Some reports indicate unintended acceleration or deceleration, with three incidents involving crashes and one involving a fire due to a rear differential explosion. These issues can lead to potential safety hazards, such as loss of vehicle control. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring problems and the associated repair costs often highlighted by owners.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

2019 Ford F-150151 reports

ENGINE

Owners of the 2019 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with the cam phasers, often describing a rattling or knocking noise during cold starts, which is linked to variable valve timing problems. Many complaints also mention engine power loss or stalling, particularly under acceleration or when towing, with some reports of the check engine light illuminating. These issues often emerge around 45,000 to 135,000 miles. A few owners report oil consumption problems without visible leaks. One complaint involves a fire, though details are limited. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

2018 Ford F-150143 reports

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2018 Ford F-150 frequently report issues with door latches failing to operate in freezing temperatures, often resulting in doors that do not latch securely and require occupants to hold them closed while driving. Multiple complaints specifically mention problems occurring when temperatures drop below freezing, with some reports noting that the issue persists even after recall repairs. Additionally, several owners describe the tailgate unexpectedly opening while driving, which can pose a safety risk. These issues are commonly reported at various mileage levels, with some complaints occurring as early as 27,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of doors opening while the vehicle is in motion, which has reportedly led to at least one injury.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2022 Ford F-150129 reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2022 Ford F-150's power train, particularly concerning fractured rear axle bolts. Complaints frequently mention abnormal clunking or squeaking noises and loss of power, often while towing or at highway speeds. Many reports occur around 25,000 to 70,000 miles, with some owners unable to obtain necessary recall repairs due to part unavailability. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control or abrupt stops, which could lead to crashes. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially if considering a vehicle that has not yet had recall repairs completed.

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Ford F-150

When problems are reported to begin

  • Powertrain faults280–5,330 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Brake failures1,000–2,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Camera system failures30–650 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Power train issues2,000–16,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures2,000–10,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Fuel system issues0–3,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Transmission issues0–1,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures0–500 miles on the 2023 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Verify completion of all recall repairs, especially for powertrain
  • Test brakes thoroughly for responsiveness and check for warning lights
  • Inspect camera systems for functionality and image clarity
  • Check for any signs of electrical system malfunctions, such as static noises or burning smells
  • Test BlueCruise for erratic steering or braking behavior
  • Ensure parking brake warning lights are not active
  • Test transmission for hard shifting and delayed gear changes
  • Inspect digital dashboard for flickering or blackouts

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Ford F-150 data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ford F-150 research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Ford F-150 research FAQ

What is the most common Ford F-150 problem?

Power Train is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 2,051 complaints represented.

Which Ford F-150 year has the most reported problems?

The 2018 has the largest power train count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ford F-150 has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ford F-150 you are considering.