2015 Ford F-150 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Ford F-150, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)37018.9%
- Brakes31616.1%
- Engine27814.2%
- Driver assistance1919.7%
- Electrical1668.5%
- Body & structure1477.5%
- Visibility975.0%
- Steering834.2%
- Interior & seats814.1%
- Fuel system784.0%
- Other / unspecified482.5%
- Airbags341.7%
- Seat belts261.3%
- Exterior lighting160.8%
- Suspension110.6%
- Tires & wheels80.4%
- Transmission60.3%
- Heating & air conditioning30.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); but a failure occurred. The vehicle unexpectedly decelerated abruptly with a related warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. In addition, the power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after being repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V369000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased my 2015 Ford F150 January 2020. I’ve had several issues with the brakes, calipers & rotors. From Sept 2022 my truck has been in the shop for these issues 6 times & it’s now doing the same thing. I’m [XXX] & have never had so many of the same issues with one vehicle. There has to be something causing this. Please tell me what I can do to keep from spending so much time & money on this. I greatly appreciate it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle has a documented, active transmission failure code P0720 relating to Recall 26S28 (NHTSA Campaign 26V237). Per pages 3 and 4 of Ford's official Part 573 Safety Recall Report, dealers are explicitly required to bypass the software wait and replace the physical lead frame hardware if a vehicle exhibits this code prior to the software's release. The local franchise dealership (McCombs Ford West in San Antonio, TX) and Ford Corporate Customer Relations are both actively refusing to honor this hardware safety remedy directive, forcing the vehicle to be grounded on the dealer lot due to the severe risk of high-speed rear-wheel lockup, while denying mandated alternative transportation support. Furthermore, the dealership has failed to execute the safety remedy for open Brake Master Cylinder Recall 20S31 (NHTSA Campaign 20V332000), which presents an immediate risk of a sudden loss of braking pressure.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
When driving down the highway the vehicle downshifted abruptly and the engine started shuddering and shaking at a high speed. I was forced to pull over on the side of a busy highway in a 70mph section. A Ford dealership in the area inspected the issue and stated that the engine was blown after only ~150,000 miles. The transmission wrench and engine light came on prior to the incident but would turn off after a few minutes and both lights turns on during the incident. The circumstances described in Safety Recall Notice 26S28 / NHTSA Recall 26V237 occurred during the incident but a blown engine was not covered in this recall. However, the vehicle experienced an unexpected sudden downshift and then the engine malfunctioned.
The timing belt/chain is failing on F-150 trucks and multiple people have sent in issues. i think from 2015-2018. It looks like you are already looking at other Fords with same issue. what i was told is that there could be sudden stalling: If the timing is thrown off or the chain snaps, the engine cuts out instantly. Losing power steering and engine power while driving in traffic creates an immediate crash hazard. Severe Misfires and Power Loss: A slipping chain causes rough idling, violent shaking, and an inability to accelerate which happened to the truck. Due to this i had to get mine fixed in June of 2024 i have attached the invoices. I tried to upload invoice but said there was an error
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while approaching a stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a Chevrolet Tahoe. The wrench symbol warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags deployed as intended. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company towed the vehicle to the total loss yard, where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 310,000. The VIN was not available.
My local Ford Dealer (Tallahassee Ford) which I had just purchased the vehicle from two weeks prior. Refused to repair NHTSA Recall Number26V237 they wanted to charge me over 2000 dollars to fix even though it has a recall. I ended up getting the lead frame replaced at a local transmission shop for little over 1000 dollars. I would like to be reimbursed for the money and time I spent.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The timing belt/chain is failing on F-150 trucks and multiple people have sent in issues. i think from 2015-2018. It looks like you are already looking at other Fords with same issue. what i was told is that there could be sudden stalling: If the timing is thrown off or the chain snaps, the engine cuts out instantly. Losing power steering and engine power while driving in traffic creates an immediate crash hazard. Severe Misfires and Power Loss: A slipping chain causes rough idling, violent shaking, and an inability to accelerate which happened to the truck. Due to this i had to get mine fixed in June of 2024 i have attached the invoices. I tried to upload invoice but said there was an error
A/C shuts off after 30-45 minutes of running cold. It’s clear from the amount of condensation after I park, that the evaporator core is freezing due to a faulty temperature sensor
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I can have the vehicle available for inspection. I have to hold the truck door shut while driving it when the issue happens. There has been no confirmation of the issue by a dealer or independent service center. There has been no inspection of the problem by the insurance company, manufacture, police or others. This year during cold weather the issue started. I bought the vehicle used. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have a 2015 f150 and when it gets cold i can open my driver's side door, but when i go to close the door, it won't latch. The inside door handle is really loose, like it's not attached to anything. Once the vehicle heats up, the door handle gets stiffer, like it is connected and I'm able to close the truck door. This only happens when it's extremely cold outside. I was told by a ford dealer that this is not a recall door actuator problem. They think it may be the door cable that connects to the inside door handle. They stated it may or may not be a warranty replacement and not a recall. They say it would be around $149 to diagnose the door problem, and if it's not a warranty replacement, I will have to pay the diagnosis cost and repair cost. They say the only way to know if the door repair is under warranty is for them to go inside the door and diagnose. So this is my concern. I have an extended warranty on the truck and it runs out at 147,000 miles. I'm at 144,000 miles. If I take the vehicle to them and they take the door apart and then say it's not a warranty or recall issue, this could cost a lot of money. With all the problems that the F150 has with the door lock problems when the temperature gets cold, it seems to me that Ford should know right away that my truck door problem is a common problem and it should be covered immediately under a recall or warranty. I bought the truck used. Let me know your thoughts on this.
Ford F150 1FTEW1CPXFFC58647, caught fire while parked and unoccupied. PRINCETON, TX Fire Dept was not able to identify cause and origin of ignition / fire. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle caught firer while we where asleep. Vehicle was looked at by fire dept and origin of fire was undetermined.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C shuts off after 30-45 minutes of running cold. It’s clear from the amount of condensation after I park, that the evaporator core is freezing due to a faulty temperature sensor
The contact owns a 2015 FORD F-150. The contact stated a mechanical failure regarding the vehicle's sunroof feature. The contact stated that the sunroof fails to retract or close fully on its own. To achieve a complete closure, the contact must manually apply significant force to the glass panel. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,479.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Pulling into traffic the truck suddenly shifts from fifth gear to second causing the vehicle to suddenly slow which makes getting slammed in the rear by another vehicle highly likely. At high speeds on the highway it becomes dangerous to change lanes and expect the truck to maintain speed. This problem is occurring frequently now so an accident is likely to occur. I want a loaner until Ford fins and makes the fix available.
Subject: Safety Defect Report – 2015 Ford F-150 Clock Spring Failure To Whom It May Concern at NHTSA, I am writing to report a safety defect in my 2015 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX] ). The steering wheel clock spring has failed, which prevents the use of steering wheel controls to cycle through and monitor critical vehicle information. This creates a safety risk because the driver cannot access important vehicle data while driving. I contacted Ford Motor Company to request assistance, as the repair was quoted at $700. Ford acknowledged my request but refused to provide assistance, stating the vehicle is outside of warranty. However, the clock spring is a safety-critical component that should not fail under normal use. Ford has issued recalls for clock spring failures on other vehicles, which indicates this can be a systemic safety issue. This failure compromises safe vehicle operation and should be investigated as a potential recall matter. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 56 MPH, the hood was bouncing and the hood became unsecured and flew open, covering the windshield, and the windshield was cracked. The contact was able to safely maneuver the vehicle onto the shoulder of the roadway and subsequently had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact stated that the hood latch appeared to be locked in place; however, the support bar had no tension nor screws missing. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired because the contact was unable to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently down shifted. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the transmission independently accelerated into a higher gear. The power train warning light illuminated. In addition, opening the front driver's side door, the contact noticed water draining at the bottom of the door well. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received recall notifications, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train)however the parts were unavailable, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V652000 (Latches, Locks,Linkages). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
mY TRUCK HAS TWO ISSUES . BACK UP CAMERA IS FAULTY AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR. iT WAS GOING ON AND OFF AT TIMES WHICH IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO BACK UP AND NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK BRAKE PEDAL GOT STUCK AND IT WAS CAUSING MY TRUCK TO REV UP AND DOWN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND IT COST ME THOUSANDS TO FIX AT THE DEALER. RED MCCOMBS DEALERSHIP ON I 10 IN SA TEXAS IS WHERE I GO THEY DONT WANT TO FIX ANYTHING ON A RECALL AND YOU HAVE TO PAY EACH TIME AND THEN THEY DONT FIX. I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EACH TIME BUT I FEEL BLESSED THAT I DIDNT
Ford F150 1FTEW1CPXFFC58647, caught fire while parked and unoccupied. PRINCETON, TX Fire Dept was not able to identify cause and origin of ignition / fire. Vehicle is available for inspection. Vehicle caught firer while we where asleep. Vehicle was looked at by fire dept and origin of fire was undetermined.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Pulling into traffic the truck suddenly shifts from fifth gear to second causing the vehicle to suddenly slow which makes getting slammed in the rear by another vehicle highly likely. At high speeds on the highway it becomes dangerous to change lanes and expect the truck to maintain speed. This problem is occurring frequently now so an accident is likely to occur. I want a loaner until Ford fins and makes the fix available.
1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I really thought that it was me, the one that caused this problem by gently pressing the gas pedal when the transmission was downshifting and approaching a traffic light is when this condition always occurred and the transmission was kicking or having dificulties of downshifting. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? NO 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO My truck have less than 40,000 miles.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The clock spring in the steering has failed causing the airbag to no longer work on the driver side. The cruise control turns on and shuts off on its own. Sometimes won’t even let you set it. Volume controls no longer work. Horn no longer works. Steering has a clicking catching sound now when turning. Steering controls no longer light up and none of the buttons work.
This is the 2nd time this has happened in 2 years. I have my truck turned off completely and locked and go to get back in it a few hours later and I open my door and the gas from the airbag has completely filled up the cab of my 2015 f150. I turn the truck on and it’s like it’s been in a wreck, all the lights on the dash are on, and it’s saying my airbags are deployed which the gas that fills the airbag did deploy, and it keeps telling me to contact 911. How does this keep happening without ford making a recall or not taking responsibility. It could seriously hurt or I hurt me or my family.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
While removing child care seats from the back-right passenger seat, I noticed an unusually loud tingling sound from the lower anchor point of the seat belt. Upon inspecting it, I noticed that the bolt anchoring the bottom part of the seat belt was completely unscrewed and was only being held on by the tension of the seat belt. Once unbuckeled, the bottom anchor of the seat belt came out completely. There were no special circumstances to cause the seat belt bottom anchor to come unscrewed beyond normal use. Component is available for inspection upon request. The issue has not been brought to the attention of the dealer or manufacturer. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the owner. The unscrewing of a bolt that is critical to the proper function of a seat bealt through normal use and without any indicators or warnings creates serious unsafe conditions that could result in harm to oneself or others.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, white smoke was coming from the base of the driver's seat belt clip. The contact stated that the air bags warning light illuminated with a message that the driver's side door was opened; however, the door was not open. The contact's son was able to safely pull the vehicle to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the local dealer. The contact related the failure with an unknown recall; however, the manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 191,845.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and attempting to activate the right turn signal, the indicator failed to operate as intended. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of water inside the taillight assembly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was determined that the taillight assembly needed to be replaced due to condensation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
It's the same issue as Recall Notice 22S02/NHTSA Recall 22v011. The replacement part is MR3Z-7583-A 1X ($2-$5 part with 30 second install), but they do not show it under parts for my truck, they would prefer to sell me the whole brake pedal assembly ($50+ part and labor probably diagnosis charge in addition to part replacement). The part becomes brittle and breaks. This caused dead battery, 5 hours from home, due to lights staying on, allowed me to start and put truck into gear without touching the brake, lost acceleration between 45 & 50 mph, cruise control would not turn on and message presents that hill assist is not available.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown my truck at 65 to 69 shakes crazy bad and everybody i talk to says theirs does as well and Walter's Ford in pikeville ky has no clue y it is doing it therefore they couldn't fix it and it it's dangerous to drive
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a snap and cracking sound coming from the front driver’s side wheel. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway and parked. The contact exited the vehicle and performed an inspection. The contact noticed that the front wheel had detached, and the ball joints were fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured axle. The contact was informed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed of the recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E027000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds, there was a hissing sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front driver side wheel hub and vacuum line to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuator were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Tire: P265 / 60 R 18 On June 25, 2023 at 1100 hrs, the left rear tire began shedding chunks and immediately had catastrophic tread separation. This caused a temporary loss of control narrowly missing collision with other vehicles. When the tread separated at least one large piece did not tear free and acted like a flail significantly damaging my vehicle (left read qtr panel and truck bed). This sudden tread separation was a significant safety risk to me and my passengers. Vehicle was inspected and tires rotated 1 week prior to the incident by a qualified mechanic. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the incident. Mechanics inspected the damage and tires and noted that the matching tire on the pax side shows signs of possible tread separation. Insurance Co was notified and assessment is scheduled.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted to 1st gear from 6th gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up temporarily, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle; however, while driving, the transmission only shifted from 3rd to 5th gear. The following day, the vehicle continued to drive normally through all the gears as designed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the ignition coils had melted and were replaced four times. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the PCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front passenger's side and seat heater and cooler were inoperable. The contact stated that upon inspecting underneath the passenger's side seat, the contact noticed that the module wiring was burned and melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the wiring and a connector underneath the front passenger's side seat had melted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.
CPSC: 2015 FORD F150 SUPERCEW LARIAT: CONSUMER STATED AFTER A LONG TRIP WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SET TO MAX COOLING, THE CHILD'S HAND BECAME HOT WHILE TRYING TO RETRIEVE THE BOOK FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SEAT WAS ALSO ON A HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 132F FOR SEVERAL HOURS. *SS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .