Power Train. Review the 726 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 319 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,322 reports

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2026

Power Train

My trucks transmission cdf drum would cause a sudden down shift to first gear while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11718132

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2026

Power Train

Transmission skips 4th gear then dropps down all the way to first then jumps all the way to 8th then back down to 4th again. Jerks real ha4d when it happens.

NHTSA ODI #11718029

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2026

Power Train

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Erratic shifting and skipping gears, unexpected downshift to 1st gear or neutral causing loss of power when driving in freeway either in hot or cold. This is very crucial and serious issue because it cause a crash. Vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer and because they coundln't found any recall linked to this VIN so they did confirm failure of transmission. Even though they confirmed failure on transmission when I first noticed it was when it had around 50k miles and right now has around 96k.

NHTSA ODI #11717920

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2026

Engine

Ford has had a known problem with their cam phaser in 2017-2020 Truck and SUV's. My truck got the recall 21B10 accomplished in 2021 and just a couple years later requires $5600 to fix a failed camshaft gear/sprocket. Ford refuses to help pay for the required repair.

NHTSA ODI #11717567

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2026

Power TrainUnknown Or Other

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This vehicle is currently in the shop and the tech is saying we may have to have a transmission replacement. The tech also stated that Ford knows there is a issues with these transmissions and they have not corrected it or made any improvements. Also, Ford will not issue a recall. The vehicle has a very hard shift and is dangerous to drive and it also completely shut down on us, putting our life in danger. We do all the proper maintenance and upkeep on the vehicle at a Ford dealership. This issue is very disappointing as these are "American made" vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11717474

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2026

Power Train

Problems with truck shifting, hard shifting. Truck engine reving up when driving and you try to accelerate, like it was in neutral. Transmission making loud clunking noise and jerky stop when coming to a stop. I thought I had been rear ended.

NHTSA ODI #11717387

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2026

EnginePower Train

Sudden downshifting, missing shift, sudden deceleration, harsh banging into gear.

NHTSA ODI #11717294

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2026

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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When driving home from work at night on the highway in a 55mph zone my truck lost all power and the ability to accelerate. While on the highway began to hit the gas a bit more and saw the gears go from gear 10 all the way down to 1st gear at 55mph. Not sure what was happening and the truck began to “gear hunt” (attempting to find a gear that would give power). The truck gave me a check engine light and a alert of reduced power. I started to smell a burning smell in the vehicle and someone behind me was flashing me with their high beams to attempt to alert me something was wrong. I rolled the window down and looked in my mirror and saw white bellowing smoke being produced from behind the vehicle causing other drivers to either change lanes or slow down so they can see. I used what speed I had left from going down a on ramp to pull into a parking spot behind a building on the main road and had to call for a tow truck very late at night after my shift. I had the vehicle towed to that into the service department of a certified Ford dealership. After a few days of waiting for a response on the diagnosis of the vehicle, they stated that the transmission had blown and needed a replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11717133

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2026

Power Train

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Transmission 10R80 2 times now my transmission has slipped while trying to accelerate from a stop entering the flow of traffic. Both times it has happened after the transmission has warmed up to operating temperature. No it has not been confirmed or inspected by a dealer or independent service center. There has been no warning lights or messages. The transmission irregularly slips shifting to 3rd gear shortly after a cold start up before the transmission has fully warmed up.

NHTSA ODI #11716836

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2026

Power Train

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I have a 2019 f150 5.0v8 with 10 speed trans. On 10/23/2023 my rear axle was replaced and mew engine was ordered on 11/13/2023. Had issues with my engine and the dealer replaced the engine around 80k miles on 4/18/2024. I was also having issues with my transmission having hard shifts and clunking or jumping gears. I took my truck to the dealer with the extended warranty back in OCT of 2024, dealer checked it and I was told it needed an update or reprogramming of the transmission , the reprogramming was not covered by ext warranty so I paid out of pocket. 6 months later In april I took it back in as the transmission was still having the same issues. The dealer did another reprogramming and was told the fluid was low and I again paid out of pocket. Took the truck home and it had the same issues again. Called dealer over and over to get my truck in and was told to wait over and over until they could get a loaner vehicle. After multiple text messages and complaints to them they finally had a loaner for me. This time I had video evidence of my truck downshifting gears on the freeway and loss of acceleration and trans temp overheating with error code popping up. Took the truck in again and sent them the video. After a week I was told my truck is ready and nothing wrong with the transmission just had too much fluid. The truck continues to have transmission issues and seems like the dealer is just pushing me along until my ext warranty expires. The dealership is Suburban Ford in Sterling heights Michigan. The videos I have are too large to upload

NHTSA ODI #11716560

Official recalls

26V373000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Jun 9, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:software

Jun 27, 2025

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

24V852000 · Equipment:other:labels

Nov 8, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

22V252000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Apr 14, 2022

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 F-150, Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

20V097000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 21, 2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.

19V805000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 12, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and braking or steering assist. The engine could also stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S40.

19V633000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner; Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Aug 28, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

19V278000 · Engine; Equipment:electrical

Apr 8, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

Consequence: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.

Equipment:electrical

Consequence: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

18V894000 · Engine

Dec 18, 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE23001 · Windshield Trim Molding Item Detachment

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Feb 8, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repair procedure during windshield replacements or other services. On January 19, 2024, Ford filed safety recall 24V-031 for MY 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles to address the subject defect. In the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, Ford identified that a detached A-pillar trim panel can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall remedy includes an inspection of the existing A-pillar trim panel and, if necessary, the replacement of the component. The remedy A-pillar trim panels will be installed with an additional adhesive for robustness and utilize an inspection procedure to ensure full engagement of all the retention clips during installation. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.