Ford F-150 2009–2014 problems by year and mileage
12th generation · P415
NHTSA data through 24 September 20269,651 complaints, 7,519 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2009 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 324
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Throttle and speed control54 reports · median 36,000 mi
- Electrical system46 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Engine42 reports · median 100,000 mi
2 recall campaigns name the 2009: Structure — body; Exterior lighting — brake lights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2010 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 58,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 843
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system166 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline121 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Engine107 reports · median 80,000 mi
1 recall campaign names the 2010: Structure — body. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2011 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 71,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,189
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2011
- Transmission and driveline825 reports · median 97,000 mi
- Engine482 reports · median 53,000 mi
- Steering419 reports · median 76,000 mi
6 recall campaigns name the 2011: Power train — automatic transmission; Exterior lighting — back up lights; Electrical system — software. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2012 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 63,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,781
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline679 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Engine483 reports · median 24,000 mi
- Steering204 reports · median 72,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2012: Power train — automatic transmission; Air bags — frontal; Exterior lighting — back up lights. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2013 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,981
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2013
- Transmission and driveline1,336 reports · median 94,000 mi
- Engine547 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Electrical system322 reports · median 67,000 mi
3 recall campaigns name the 2013: Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — fluid. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2014 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,533
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2014 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2014
- Transmission and driveline424 reports · median 101,000 mi
- Brakes288 reports · median 43,000 mi
- Engine178 reports · median 73,000 mi
8 recall campaigns name the 2014: Power train — automatic transmission; Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist; Seats. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2013 reports latest and the 2009 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2009 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2009–2014 Ford F-150 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 68,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 150,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 7,519
- Recalls
- 18
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline35.4% of complaints · median 92,000 mi
- Engine19.1% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
- Electrical system11.4% of complaints · median 66,000 mi
Owners filed 9,651 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2014 Ford F-150; the transmission and driveline leads with 35.4% of them, and half of the 7,519 that record an odometer reading came by 68,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 35,000 and 106,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2009–2014 Ford F-150 last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2009–2014 Ford F-150, half of the 7,519 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 68,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles.
763 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 172 past 200,000 — each one proof that a F-150 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford F-150 2009–2014 · 7,519 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 506 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 172 complaints (2.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 35,434
- Median
- 68,000
- 75%
- 106,173
- 90%
- 150,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 506 | 6.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 239 | 3.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 234 | 3.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 210 | 2.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 222 | 3.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 198 | 2.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 227 | 3.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 272 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 294 | 3.9% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 267 | 3.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 302 | 4.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 269 | 3.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 301 | 4.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 301 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 307 | 4.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 242 | 3.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 269 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 257 | 3.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 236 | 3.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 186 | 2.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 232 | 3.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 150 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 161 | 2.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 143 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 157 | 2.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 102 | 1.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 141 | 1.9% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 109 | 1.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 127 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 95 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 118 | 1.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 75 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 98 | 1.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 59 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 63 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 41 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 45 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 34 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 34 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 24 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 172 | 2.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common F-150 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford F-150 2009–2014
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine1,839 reports50,00015,000–87,000Engine: 1,839 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 87,000 miles.
- Brakes963 reports52,00032,000–83,000Brakes: 963 reports, median 52,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 83,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control902 reports53,00015,000–95,000Throttle and speed control: 902 reports, median 53,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 95,000 miles.
- Electrical system1,103 reports66,00040,000–103,000Electrical system: 1,103 reports, median 66,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 103,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise675 reports69,00041,000–100,000Problems owners could not categorise: 675 reports, median 69,000 miles, middle half 41,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Steering1,075 reports72,00044,000–109,000Steering: 1,075 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 44,000 to 109,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline3,418 reports92,00058,000–135,000Transmission and driveline: 3,418 reports, median 92,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 135,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 3,418 | 35.4% | 92,000 | 58,000–135,000 |
| Engine | 1,839 | 19.1% | 50,000 | 15,000–87,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,103 | 11.4% | 66,000 | 40,000–103,000 |
| Steering | 1,075 | 11.1% | 72,000 | 44,000–109,000 |
| Brakes | 963 | 10.0% | 52,000 | 32,000–83,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 902 | 9.3% | 53,000 | 15,000–95,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 675 | 7.0% | 69,000 | 41,000–100,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 554 | 5.7% | 60,000 | 38,000–83,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 409 | 4.2% | 60,000 | 30,000–90,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 270 | 2.8% | 49,000 | 31,000–70,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 68,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 35.4% of complaints (3,418 reports, 2,429 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 58,000 and 135,000 miles.
A single system taking 35.4% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 19.1% of complaints (1,839 reports, 1,567 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 87,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.4% of complaints (1,103 reports, 854 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 103,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 11.1% of complaints (1,075 reports, 904 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 44,000 and 109,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.0% of complaints (963 reports, 717 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 83,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 9.3% of complaints (902 reports, 630 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 95,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2009–2014 F-150
Engine 2011–2014
3.5L EcoBoost intercooler condensation: water collects in the air-to-air intercooler during humid/damp highway driving and is ingested on hard acceleration, causing a stumble/misfire and limp mode. Ford's field fix relocated the intercooler air deflector and later revised the intercooler.
Engine 2011–2014
3.5L EcoBoost timing chain stretch and cam phaser wear producing cold-start rattle and cam correlation codes on higher-mileage first-generation EcoBoost engines.
Brakes 2013–2014
Brake master cylinder internal seal leaks allow fluid to migrate into the brake booster, causing loss of front brake circuit function; addressed by Ford recall action on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks.
Before you buy a 2009–2014 F-150: the 3-minute check
Generated from 7,519 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2011–2014 cars. 3.5L EcoBoost intercooler condensation: water collects in the air-to-air intercooler during humid/damp highway driving and is ingested on hard acceleration, causing a stumble/misfire and limp mode. Ford's field fix…
- Check engine on 2011–2014 cars. 3.5L EcoBoost timing chain stretch and cam phaser wear producing cold-start rattle and cam correlation codes on higher-mileage first-generation EcoBoost engines.
- Check brakes on 2013–2014 cars. Brake master cylinder internal seal leaks allow fluid to migrate into the brake booster, causing loss of front brake circuit function; addressed by Ford recall action on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 35,000 and 106,000 miles, with a median of 68,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
F-150 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi43% below | At 90k mi65% below | At 120k mi80% below | At 150k mi90% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 58,000–135,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 15,000–87,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 40,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 44,000–109,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 32,000–83,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 15,000–95,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 41,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford F-150 2009–2014 · 7,519 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 65% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 80% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 98%: the remaining 2.3% of reports (172) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2009–2014 Ford F-150 recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (6), the exterior lighting (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jun 2026 · 2014 · Power TrainUnexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V444. A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module (PCM) can cause the…
What can happen. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…
Jun 2024 · 2014 · Power TrainUnexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of…
What can happen. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
Jun 2020 · 2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
What can happen. A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on…
Jun 2019 · 2013 · Power TrainUnexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with 5.0L or 6.2L gasoline engines, that previously had the powertrain control module (PCM) software reprogrammed under recall 19V-075. The software used to reprogram the PCM did not…
What can happen. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
Feb 2019 · 2011–2013 · Power TrainUnexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
What can happen. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
Jul 2017 · 2014 · SeatsThe improperly manufactured bolts may fracture.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on…
What can happen. The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second…
May 2016 · 2013–2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicLoss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014 equipped with 3.5L engines. The master cylinder rear cup seal may roll, resulting in brake fluid leakage from the primary…
What can happen. Loss of brake fluid from the primary reservoir results in a complete loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and, if necessary, the brake booster, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Ford…
Apr 2016 · 2011–2012 · Power TrainAn unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to…
What can happen. An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Nov 2014 · 2014 · SeatsImproper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 and Flex vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with a reduced clearance between the seat frame and the seat track assembly. This…
What can happen. Improper suppression of the passenger airbag increases the risk of an injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger airbag.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will widen the gap between the seat frame and seat track assembly and recalibrate the seat OCS, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2014. Owners may…
Nov 2014 · 2014 · Exterior LightingIf the brake lights fail to illuminate, or illuminate after a delay, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 F-150 vehicles manufactured March 1, 2014, to March 13, 2014. The affected vehicles may have a brake pedal position switch that is improperly adjusted. As a result, the brake lights may illuminate…
What can happen. If the brake lights fail to illuminate, or illuminate after a delay, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford has notified owners, and dealers will adjust the brake pedal position switch, free of charge. The recall began on November 24, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
Jun 2014 · 2014 · Steering do not driveA loss of steering control while driving increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured May 26, 2014 to June 19, 2014, and equipped with Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS). The affected vehicles may have an incorrectly installed EPAS gear motor…
What can happen. A loss of steering control while driving increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPAS steering gear, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been…
May 2012 · 2012 · Air BagsA failure to deploy, failure to deploy as intended, or a deployment when not intended, increases the risk of…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 F-150 vehicles manufactured from november 6, 2011, through november 15, 2011. Incorrect software for the occupant classification system module (ocsm) was installed on the vehicles either at the time of manufacturing…
What can happen. A failure to deploy, failure to deploy as intended, or a deployment when not intended, increases the risk of injury to the passenger side seat occupant.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocsm free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners may contact the Ford motor company customer relationship center at…
May 2012 · 2011–2012 · Exterior LightingIf this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 expedition and Lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "Transmission shift lever…
What can happen. If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “r” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “r” may…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer…
Dec 2011 · 2011 · Power TrainThis will allow the operator to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-150 vehicles manufactured from september 9, 2011, through september 22, 2011, and model year 2012 F-250, F-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from september 12, 2011, through september 22, 2011.…
What can happen. This will allow the operator to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being depressed, increasing the risk of a crash or injury to a nearby pedestrian.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on december 22, 2011. Owners…
Feb 2011 · 2011 · Electrical SystemIf an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, f-450, f-550, edge, and Lincoln mkx trucks manufactured from october 25, 2010, through november 20, 2010. These vehicles were inspected using integrated diagnostic system (ids) that had a…
What can happen. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Dealer will inspect the body control module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on march 7, 2011. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at…
Feb 2011 · 2009–2010 · StructureIn the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 F-150 vehicles manufactured from january 18, 2008, through november 30, 2009. The interior door handle housing embossment retaining the interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage resulting…
What can happen. In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open.
The free fix. Owners will be initially notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer if any interior door handle is loose or fails to return to the stowed position after…
Dec 2010 · 2011 · StructureIf an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which can result in an unattended vehicle…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, f-450, f-550, edge and Lincoln mkx vehicles. During a six-day production period, the supplier of the body control module manufactured modules that may have the potential for an internal short.
What can happen. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which can result in an unattended vehicle fire.
The free fix. Dealer will replace the body control module if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
May 2009 · 2009 · Exterior LightingDelay or loss of brake stop lamp function may increase the risk of an accident.
The defect. Ford is recalling 8,735 my 2009 F-150 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may…
What can happen. Delay or loss of brake stop lamp function may increase the risk of an accident.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and have the brake stop lamp switch removed and reinstalled which will provide proper adjustment. The remedy will be performed free of charge. The recall began on may 13, 2009.…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 9,651 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 252 (2.6%)
- Fires
- 126
- Injury reports
- 158
- Fatality reports
- 5
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
F-150 problems by model year
The 2013 drew the most complaints of this generation, 2,981, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2009 the fewest, 324. A typical year drew about 1,657.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 324 | 288 | 51,000 | Throttle and speed control (54) | 2 |
| 2010 | 843 | 732 | 58,000 | Electrical system (166) | 1 |
| 2011 | 2,189 | 1,814 | 71,000 | Transmission and driveline (825) | 6 |
| 2012 | 1,781 | 1,466 | 63,000 | Transmission and driveline (679) | 4 |
| 2013 | 2,981 | 2,210 | 74,000 | Transmission and driveline (1,336) | 3 |
| 2014 | 1,533 | 1,009 | 65,000† | Transmission and driveline (424) | 8 |
What F-150 owners reported
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train); however, a failure occurred after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The…
2014 · 146,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission violently downshifted, causing the rear wheels to lose traction and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle. The lead frame failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken…
2013 · 162,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the transmission seized while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn onto the highway in oncoming traffic, and the vehicle suddenly stopped. The wrench symbol was displayed. The instrument panel was blank. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly…
2012 · 150,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission became stuck in fifth gear. The “WRENCH” warning light was illuminated at start-up. The contact stated that while shifting from neutral(N) to reverse(R), the vehicle made a clunking sound and lurched backward. The failure…
2014 · 171,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 7,519 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other F-150 generations
- F-150 1992–1996 506 reports with mileage, most about the fuel system
- F-150 1997–2003 4,313 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- F-150 2004–2008 3,963 reports with mileage, most about visibility equipment
- F-150 2015–2020 4,578 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- F-150 2021–2025 549 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline