Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

Ford F-150 Engine problems by year

719 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Ford F-150's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20250003
20240002
20220001
20210001
201913002
20180003
20170002
20160003
20150003
200951310
20080001
20070001
2004259520
2003102000
2002294410

Engine recalls

Engine

20V09800013,854 vehicles affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater...

Engine

17V67200022 vehicles affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. The cylinder heads may have been machined without lubrication supply holes for the camshaft bearing journals.

Latest F-150 engine complaints

2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

I am filing a complaint against Jess Ford of Pullman for refusing to perform a mandatory federal safety recall on my 2019 [Insert Truck Model]. The dealership's service department explicitly denied the repair, claiming the vehicle is "over the mileage restriction." Under federal law (Title 49 of the U.S. Code), authorized franchise dealerships are legally required to execute active NHTSA safety recalls free of charge, independent of the vehicle's mileage, provided it falls within the 15-year statutory period. My 2019 vehicle is well within this window. I request that the agency investigate this dealership's refusal to comply with federal safety regulations.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11775365
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I've had 4 transmissions since I bought truck in april. This is absurd. It jumps from 4th to 10th gear and slams back down randomly. Wrench light is back on in under 500 miles. Help!

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11774945
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

i brought my car to the Ford dealer for a noise it was making. Truck was to dealership and i have been called several times with new estimates for the repair. Dealership sent me a video after initially telling me it would be a $6500 repair, they called to tell me it would be an $8500 repair. Now they want $ 10,500 for the repair claiming the cam phaser was bad and now that the engine is back together a cyclinder is bad

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11774498
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a known manufacturing defect in the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) system of my 2019 Ford F-150 equipped with the 2nd Generation 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 80,000 miles. The vehicle is experiencing severe cam phaser degradation due to failing internal locking pins, a widespread issue previously acknowledged by Ford under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03. This mechanical failure causes a violent rattling noise upon cold starts, indicating a...

Read the full complaint

lack of oil pressure retention. More critically, as the component degradation worsens, it causes significant engine lag, severe hesitation during acceleration, and intermittent stalling. This presents a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle has experienced sudden power loss and hesitation while attempting to merge into high-speed highway traffic and execute turns, creating an immediate risk of a collision. Despite this being a well-documented factory defect in the 2017-2019 model years, Ford corporate has declined out-of-warranty or goodwill assistance to resolve the issue. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this systemic powertrain defect, as the unpredictable loss of propulsion and stalling poses a direct threat to driver and passenger safety.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11774178
2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

**Subject: Potential Engine Oil Pan Seal Defect - 2019 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost - Ford TSB 19-2189** I am submitting this complaint regarding an engine oil pan seal leak on my 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has approximately 172,000 miles. A mechanic has identified an oil pan seal leak. The vehicle is actively dripping oil, and I have observed a drop in the engine oil level. The leak has not yet been repaired. I have contacted Ford regarding the issue. My vehicle's...

Read the full complaint

reported build date falls within the production period addressed by Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-2189, dated August 6, 2019. That bulletin states that certain 2018-2019 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine and built on or before May 21, 2019, may develop an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal. Ford's specified corrective procedure involves replacing the oil pan with one equipped with a press-in-place gasket. The similarity between the condition described in this bulletin and the leak on my vehicle raises concern that this may be a known design, sealing, or durability issue affecting multiple vehicles. An ongoing engine oil leak can require repeated oil replenishment and may lead to insufficient engine lubrication if the oil level falls too low. Depending on the severity and circumstances, an oil leak may also create additional hazards. I have observed oil dripping and a reduced oil level, but I am not claiming that my vehicle has experienced engine failure, a crash, a fire, or loss of control. I am requesting that NHTSA review this reported condition and determine whether the oil pan seal issue described in TSB 19-2189 represents a safety-related defect warranting further investigation or a recall. I also request that NHTSA evaluate whether the existing repair guidance adequately addresses the underlying problem and whether affected owners should receive a safety-related remedy.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11772996
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to shift into gear. The transmission was a hard shifting and vibrating. While driving 35-45 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the transmission was flushed and fluids were replaced. After 3 days, the failure reoccurred. The Ford customer service was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11766299
2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

Can phasers failed. Ford will not accept any responsibility for a known dangerous issue.Ford refuses to help even though they knew about this issue. They did not issue a recall, instead offering a Customer Satisfaction Program so they could dodge responsibility for future repairs. This is a dangerous defect as it can cause an engine to seize up on the highway. I'm stuck with a repair bill in the thousands of dollars and Ford will not even assist with the cost.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11765846
2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

The valve cover on my 2019 Ford F-150 equipped with the 5.0L V8 engine has failed and is leaking engine oil directly onto the exhaust. The vehicle was inspected by a professional technician, who confirmed that the valve cover itself is the source of the leak rather than simply the replaceable valve cover gasket. The technician also advised that the valve cover on the opposite side is showing signs that it may develop the same issue and recommended replacement of both valve covers. This creates a safety concern...

Read the full complaint

because engine oil is leaking directly onto hot exhaust components. I am concerned that continued oil leakage onto the exhaust could result in smoke or an underhood fire. At this time, I am not aware of an actual fire occurring. The failure and location of the oil leak were confirmed by a professional service technician. The vehicle/component has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by Ford specifically for this issue. I am not aware of any warning lamp or dashboard message that appeared before the leak was discovered. The affected valve covers are composite/plastic components. Replacement of the complete valve cover has been recommended because the technician determined that the cover itself, rather than only the gasket, is causing the leak. The failed component can be retained and made available for inspection upon request after replacement. I am submitting this complaint because failure of the valve cover is allowing engine oil to leak directly onto the vehicle's hot exhaust components, creating a potential fire hazard.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11764811
2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

Engine failure due to oil consumption. Low compression on bank 2. Changed coil packs, spark plugs and bank 2 Catalytic converter misfires stayed. Took to dealer for diagnostics and found low compression and recommended engine replacement. Now getting new truck because of expensive engine replacement causing me to roll the negative equity to my new truck.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11763679
2019 Ford F-150Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the failure ceased after the engine had been running for several minutes. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11761918
2003 Ford F-150Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I moved my vehicle from driveway to park on the street so my husband could park in the driveway. I then turned my vehicle off and roughly 2 hours later, a lady came screaming "fire fire fire!" I went to see where she was talking about and my truck was smoking under the hood, I then called the fire department and they came to extinguish the fire. I was unaware of any recalls as I am the 3rd owner of this vehicle.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11757698
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

My truck has routinely been very hard shifting in 3rd to 4th gear. Recently it downshifted from 8th to 4th without warning and made a loud clunking noise. It still runs, but the transmission seems to be getting worse.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11756034
2009 Ford F-150Electrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

This vehicle has been a lemon ever since we purchased it new. To start the 3rd brake light would always leak during rain and ruined the headliner took it back to andy mohr ford were we purchased approx 25 times for this issue. Then we have had oil leaks about a year after purchase and it still leaks. Third the fender wells are rusting. And also all the lights on the dash are lit because the computer board failed. To date the truck only has 147k miles. This truck has been a lemon the whole time we have owned it and i am tired of sinking money in this junker. Ford needs to be held responsible for every vehicle off there assembly line.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11749202
2019 Ford F-150Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingDriver assistance

While driving on a highway, my 2019 Ford F-150 suddenly lost power during acceleration due to a transmission malfunction. The truck hesitated and failed to respond to the accelerator, nearly causing a rear-end collision. The transmission required a major overhaul at approximately 53,000 miles, yet the same symptoms returned shortly after the repair. Around 56,000 miles, the engine also developed a cam phaser/timing chain failure requiring extensive repairs. These major drivetrain failures at such low mileage raise serious safety concerns and indicate a potential manufacturing defect. I believe this vehicle poses an unreasonable safety risk to drivers and the public.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Lane departureNHTSA 11748095
2019 Ford F-150SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

While driving my vehicle (2019 Ford F150), it suddenly came to a complete stop. The engine shut off and the steering wheel locked up. While in the middle of a roadway, I had to quickly throw my vehicle into park, turn it off and back on. At that point, it was running again and I was able to safely get it to a dealership where it was inspected for an issues. There were no warnings, alerts or messages on my dashboard. The dealership confirmed what had happened. It was due to the electronic steering system failing....

Read the full complaint

They fixed it and so far there has been no issues. This is not the first time I have heard of this happening and after researching, it appears it is more common than not. I believe, because of the risk of this vehicle unexpectedly and suddenly stopping on any roadway, a recall should occur. I could not imagine what would happen if one of my loved ones had been driving and a serious crash occurred.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11746712

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience