3,919 of the
48,021 complaints filed about the Ford F-150
are about the electrical system —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
After a big freeze my fuel level gauge stopped working. I have replaced every sensor and fuse possible, along with multiple new fuel pumps. It has been taken to a certified Ford Dealership and they can’t find the problem. There is a Ford recall that already explains the problem exactly. It is Ford 26C26. I am not able to get my vehicle inspected and without knowing exactly what my fuel level is it could leave me stranded.
NHTSA complaint #11764215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2015 Ford F-150 experienced multiple sudden downshifts at highway speeds 75 mph and then started downshifting at lower speeds. Heavy clunking heard and wrench warning lamp came on with a very general warning message and turned both off after moving to the side of the highway and restarting the car. Warning sign returned while driving at significantly lower speeds on city streets, locked up tires when turning from a low speed twice. Extremely unsafe and could have caused a serious accident if people were following close behind me. Took it to the dealership to get repaired and they diagnosed DTC P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor - No Signal) and confirmed that the signal failure caused the transmission to lock in 3rd gear and operate at maximum line pressure. Technician notes it resulted in damage to forward, direct, and overdrive clutches and recommended the replacement of the entire transmission ($5,739 for parts). I paid $8,636.93 out-of-pocket at a Ford dealership for this service repair.
NHTSA complaint #11763766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 154,279. The contact stated that the mileage listed on the paperwork was 153,945.
NHTSA complaint #11763343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is a supplemental complaint to my earlier report regarding NHTSA Campaign 26V237 / Ford Safety Recall 26S28. The recall remedy (PCM software update) was performed at W.C. Sanderson Ford in Healdsburg, CA on XXX. The original downshift defect recurred within weeks, including a near-miss where I nearly lost control of the vehicle with my [XXX] son inside. Since then, I have had the vehicle independently scanned twice, including a full all-systems diagnostic scan. The scan shows a communication fault (U0401, "Invalid Data Received From PCM") present across five separate control modules: ABS, Airbag/Occupant Classification System, Power Steering Control Module, Tire Pressure Monitoring/Body Control, and the engine module. The scan's own assessment recommends repairing CAN-BUS wiring and connections. I believe this network-wide wiring fault may be the actual underlying cause of the condition recall 26S28 was intended to fix — the recall's software update assumes a signal-loss problem can be resolved in software, but if the root cause is physical wiring, the remedy would not correct it. This would explain why the defect recurred so soon after the software update was installed. A second code, P2112 (Throttle Actuator Stuck Closed), also appeared spontaneously while the vehicle was parked. This code is documented in Ford's own Technical Service Bulletin 16-0139 (issued 2018), indicating Ford had prior knowledge of related fault patterns on this vehicle range. Of particular concern, the Airbag/Occupant Classification System is affected by the same communication fault. This system governs airbag deployment behavior based on occupant detection, and my son rides in this vehicle regularly. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive. I am requesting NHTSA evaluate whether the 26S28 remedy adequately addresses the underlying defect, given evidence that a wiring-level fault — not solely a software issue — may be the true root cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)
NHTSA complaint #11762064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of motive power while accelerating and turning. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure, and the contact needed to maintain a fuel level above half tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it passed the State Inspection, and the contact was advised to wait until the recall part was available for the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11762226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that following an unsuccessful Over-the-Air (OTA) software update, the display screen and instrument panel were constantly rebooting, with a loss of functionality for several electrical features. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where technicians associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V104000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting). After several service repairs and the inclusion of a field service engineer, the vehicle remained unrepaired and had been with the dealer for over two months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The contact was not provided any status updates because the master technicians were on extended leave. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
NHTSA complaint #11762243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I would like to file complaint against Ford for their latest recall (26N041) and how they are not doing replacing the defective Lead Frame in customers vehicles. It's a big scam and a waste of time. I brought my 2016 Ford F-150 in for Ford’s latest recall (26N04) affecting 2015–2017 models due to the transmission leadframe issue. I explained that I’ve been dealing with an intermittent problem for the past seven months: while driving, the gear indicator lights on the dash begin to flicker, and when that happens, the transmission shifts extremely hard and slams into the next gear. Ford kept my truck for a week and told me they were unable to duplicate the issue. They stated that multiple technicians drove the vehicle and none of them observed any problems. When I arrived to pick it up, I was handed a bill for more than $250 for a diagnostic fee. Within four miles of leaving the dealership, the gear indicator lights began flickering again. It’s difficult to accept that several technicians drove the truck over multiple days and never encountered the issue I experienced almost immediately. The entire process felt like a waste of time and money, and I’m left without any resolution to a problem that clearly still exists. They are not honoring the recall, they are trying to charge customers for the repair.
NHTSA complaint #11761760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 170,000, and it was later discovered via a third party that the mileage was 250,000.
NHTSA complaint #11761260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle is subject to active Safety Recall 26S28 for transmission lead frame and range sensor failure causing unexpected downshifts into 1st gear. Vehicle experienced downshifting symptoms creating severe road hazard and risk of rear-wheel lockup. Dealership cleared diagnostic trouble codes without saving freeze-frame logs, mis-entered VIN on billing estimates, and refused to complete the recall repair. Vehicle is available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11761459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2013 Ford 150 King Ranch 4X4 with the 6R80 transmission and approximately 125k miles on it. This morning, I was stopped at a red light and upon accelerating my truck would not shift out of first gear. The speedometer stopped working, and engine light came on. I pulled over and turned off the truck to inspect it. I restarted the truck and it was shifting appropriately for about 5 miles when it all of a sudden shifted into first gear while I was driving approximately 35-40mph, nearly causing an accident until I could safely pull over. I researched symptoms and found information regarding the molded lead frame on the 2013 model f150s. I understand Ford warranty coverage was limited to 10 years, but I believe Ford should continue to honor this known defect in there vehicle. This is a serious safety concern. If it would have been raining, or icy weather, it could have caused a serious accident and/or death to myself or others. Ford is aware of these issues, and yet owners are still responsible for their defective parts after warranty expires. I believe the manufacturer has an obligation to address this known problem. I am requesting Ford review my vehicle and this failure as a safety-related defect and provide assistance with the repair, as well as covering the cost of repair in full. At minimum, I am requesting Ford provide reimbursement based on the known history of the component and the potential safety consequences of its failure.
NHTSA complaint #11760420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, a Carfax report revealed a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 95,536; however, the Carfax report listed the mileage at 196,914.
NHTSA complaint #11760241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine now, it’s been 1 year. the incident caused my truck to go into park or possibly reverse at highway speed just as I passed a semi truck and returned to the right lane. If the trucker had not been paying attention it would have been bad. There was nothing I could do. . On top of this, he was under the impression that it was intentional. So I almost got into a physical altercation until I convinced him to look inside my truck as my gear indicator light was dancing from gear to gear while not touching anything.. To add to the seriousness, my taillamps never came on because I didn’t touch the brake. It was a horrible timing.. . Shortly after this i received a notice from Ford explaining the cause and symptoms of this issue, but then stated there was no fix at the time, but the vehicle was “safe to drive.” That is irresponsible. This was the only time mine did it, no prior issues. I got new ford parts and had it replaced. my mechanic said they deal with this weekly! Then I get a letter from Ford saying there is a fix and it’s a computer programming issue which is totally not true. That’s just a smoke screen, but it also goes on to say it could be a lead frame and if you’ve already fixed it before you got a letter, they will refund your money, but I highly doubt that. But they should stop claiming these vehicles are safe to drive because they absolutely are not if they’re having an issue regarding recall 26S28. So not only did i use new Ford parts, I paid a reputable EX Ford Technician Who owns his own business to perform the services because ford didn’t offer a fix. only to waste my time reprogramming the ecm. I work, I don’t have time.It’s irresponsible to say it’s not a safety concern. It’s just bad policy
NHTSA complaint #11760515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Short in the rear window defroster. Within 5 minutes of turning off the defroster after only having it on for 2 minutes at 2:30am leaving work, the back window exploded outward and shattering. No rocks, no other folks on the road. Upon research, and after contacting insurance company and the glass repair company, this is a very common issue in 2015-2019 F-150s. But there are no safety recalls. Praise God my children were not in the backseat, they would have been riddled with glass. How is this not a safety issue?
NHTSA complaint #11760050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After starting my 2020 Ford F150 for the last few months on the dash 2 warnings comes up, Front Camera Malfunction Service Required and Pre Collision Assist Not Available. These come on every time I start my truck. I did go to my local Ford dealer and told them these were coming on and they told me they never heard of that. I did have a mechanic do a scan on the truck and he came up with code 4300-49- AF which he said is an internal electronic failure. I have read that people have been having this same issue with their 2020 Ford F150s. I feel this is a safety issue that Ford should address. When system is not working it could lead to accidents which is why this would of been installed on vehicles. I have not had the issue fixed due to the fact the dealer told me they had never heard of this issue and would have to put it on a machine to see if they could even figure out the problem which could run into hundreds of dollars plus repairs and I am on a fixed income. Vehicle is available about any time to check this out.
NHTSA complaint #11759959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving the vehicle it randomly jumps gears, when taking off it went into limp mode today. My wife almost got slammed by a semi truck! I called ford and they are not interested in hearing my case only wanting me to pay these outrageous fees. The pcm recall fix did not fix the gears jumping
NHTSA complaint #11759870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at speed, my vehicle experienced a severe safety hazard: the transmission jerked violently and the engine completely stalled on the road, causing an immediate loss of power. The dealership diagnosed the truck and stated that tree debris had plugged the cowl drains at the base of the windshield. Because the drains plugged, rainwater backed up and overflowed directly into the passenger cabin, soaking the Body Control Module (BCM) and crashing the central computer network. A vehicle's central computer network should not be engineered in a way that normal outdoor tree debris can completely flood an interior cabin module and cause a dangerous drivetrain shutdown while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11759546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In 2019, vehicle had a recall for output speed sensor in the transmission. Initial Ford dealership in Indiana (Don Hinds), reprogrammed. They did not test drive vehicle or follow additional instruction to replace the molded leadframe. Vehicle has continued to demonstrate OSS sensor failure. Every time we drive it, the vehicle downshifts from 6th gear to 1st gear with malfunction indicator light and wrench light coming on. Spoke with Don Hinds Ford and they agree this needs to be covered by Ford. They contacted ford Recall number repeatedly. I contacted them repeatedly starting in April. I was told to take my vehicle to a Ford dealership in Arizona (where I currently live) - Sanderson Ford. They ran the codes and agreed the molded leadframe needs to be replaced. They and I have contacted Ford Customer Assistance Center multiple times. Initially, they stated only one call to them, but the individual, Lisa, hung up on me and closed the file. I have been calling every week since May 12th and have never been told the case was closed until August 19th when I was told case was closed and they would open a new case. They have not communicated with Sanderson Ford or myself since that time. The vehicle is unsafe to drive, it is my mode of transportation and is currently sitting at Sanderson Ford. Ford corporate is not responding to any communciation from myself or the dealership. The truck issue is putting myself and other drivers at risk because the vehicle cannot be controlled when the OSS sensor fails. Initial case file: [XXX] Updated case file: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving I will get a wrench symbol with a bunch of codes pop up u0121:00:28 u0131:00:28 u0137:00:28 u0164:00:28 u0199:00:28 u0200:00:28 u0212:00:28 u0252:00:28 u0256:00:28 u1012:00:28 p0557:00:28 p1935:00:68 p193e:00:28 I have also had it jerk while driving ( went down into first gear) while having no power to my gauge cluster ac nothing
NHTSA complaint #11758824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on interstate approximatly 70 mph when it downshifted into second gear and and almost got rearended by a semi truck that was following behind my truck and luckily was able to swerve to miss hitting us. I Believe it is the 6r80 transmission conductor plate that is the cause of the issue
NHTSA complaint #11758186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.