2026 Ford F-150 Owner Complaints

Component Affected: Powertrain / Engine / Transmission Bellhousing Description of Defect: The vehicle is experiencing a severe mechanical defect in the drivetrain assembly, characterized by a loud metallic rattling, scraping, and "tin can" clinking noise originating directly from the transmission bellhousing area immediately upon engine startup. This exact mechanical failure perfectly matches the root cause outlined in Ford Special Service Message SSM 53878. The defect is caused by the torque converter studs physically striking the engine-to-transmission separator plate (spacer plate) near the starter motor. Safety Risk & Incident: This structural contact creates a high risk of localized component deformation, starter motor binding, or catastrophic powertrain failure. The defect has already resulted in a severe drivetrain failure while towing a load on the highway, creating an immediate traffic hazard and requiring the vehicle to be pulled over and towed. Clear video evidence has been captured documenting the precise bellhousing failure noise on this 2026 model year vehicle. Dealer/Manufacturer Response: Ford Corporate (Case CXH-09264120-F2W2T6) and authorized Ford dealerships are explicitly refusing to perform an inspection or authorize necessary warranty repairs. The manufacturer is denying coverage solely because SSM 53878 formally specifies 2021–2025 model years, despite the 2026 5.0L V8 powertrain architecture and the physical defect being identical. An independent manufacturer-authorized inspection by a Regional Ford Field Service Engineer (FSE) is demanded to resolve this unaddressed safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11767212

Incident

May 21, 2026

I'm calling to report what I believe may be a safety issue involving the panoramic sunroof on my 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor. I was driving at approximately 9:45 in the morning when the front panoramic sunroof glass suddenly and violently shattered. There was an extremely loud explosion-type sound, and essentially the entire front glass panel disintegrated. I did not see any rock, debris, or other object strike the sunroof before this happened. There was no warning beforehand. The glass broke violently enough that pieces went across the exterior roof and caused additional scratches and damage. Fortunately, I had the interior sunshade closed. My concern is that if the shade had been open, shattered glass could have entered the passenger compartment, and the sudden explosive sound itself could potentially cause a driver to react or lose control. The truck is a 2026 F-150 Raptor with only approximately 6,000 miles. My Ford dealer has referred me to my insurance company, and insurance is handling the immediate repair, but I want this incident formally reported because I believe NHTSA should be aware of the possibility of a sudden panoramic-glass failure. I have photographs taken immediately after it happened showing the completely shattered panel and the resulting damage, and I would be happy to provide them

NHTSA ID

11765875

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

On 9/1/26 I was traveling in the left most lane, southbound on the NJ Parkway around mile marker 82.7 (or wherever that Maintenance Yard is, I believe District 3) and I had the Blue Cruise feature active. There was a curve in the road which the vehicle was following, but while it was following the curve it started to veer into the lane to the right of me and almost collided with another vehicle before I took control of the wheel and got it back into the lane. This in itself was concerning, but I didnt report it. Today, 9/3, I was on the Parkway again and decided to see if I could replicate this behavior. As I approached the same spot, with Blue Cruise active, and keeping my hands on the wheel, I noticed there was a white paint spill that came from the maintenance yard and into that leftmost lane of the parkway, it curves through the left lane and almost into the next. I continued driving in the left lane and as I approached that paint spill and could feel the steering wheel wanting to follow the paint line, instead of the highway lines. I maintained control of the vehicle and kept it in the lane, but I think this confirms the paint is causing a problem with the vehicles sensors which it cannot compensate for. I understand Blue Cruise is not perfect and can make mistakes, and maybe this is an edge case, but still feel it warrants reporting in case others have experienced the same. Additionally, a paint spill like this should be removed from the parkway as soon as possible.

NHTSA ID

11761905

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

I purchased a brand-new 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor from Ken Grody Ford on August 25, 2026. On August 26, 2026—one day after the purchase—I was traveling in traffic at approximately 45 mph when the truck suddenly lost power-assisted braking and most of its braking effectiveness. The brake pedal required extraordinary pressure, and even with that pressure the truck was slowing only marginally. I activated my hazard lights and had to cross multiple lanes of traffic while attempting to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. This created an immediate and serious risk of a collision with surrounding motorists. Multiple warning lights and messages appeared, including a red “CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM” warning. After I had safely pulled over, I recorded a video showing the warnings displayed by the vehicle. The truck had only 255 miles on it at the time. No collision or injury occurred because I maintained control of the truck, activated the hazard lights, applied extraordinary pressure to the brake pedal and took immediate evasive action to reach a safe location. I immediately reported the incident to Ken Grody Ford. Because this serious braking failure occurred one day after I purchased a brand-new vehicle, the dealership subsequently agreed to unwind the transaction. As of August 28, 2026, I have not received a definitive engineering explanation identifying the cause of the failure. I am reporting this incident because the sudden loss of power-assisted braking and severe reduction in braking effectiveness in a virtually new 2026 Ford F-150 Raptor created a substantial risk of injury or death. I request that NHTSA document and investigate this incident and determine whether similar braking-system failures have occurred in other Ford vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11760444

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

Received vehicle back from dealer saying prior brake problems had been repaired and confirmed with Ford Engineers. Drove approximately 3 miles before brakes failed again and I was not able to stop at the intersection. Avoided an accident, but had vehicle towed again to be repaired. This is the third complete brake failure in less than 300 miles on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11760203

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

When using cruise control (Blue Cruise fully automated driving or just regular cruise control), The truck changes the speed setting to 90MPH without any driver input and begins sudden acceleration. This has happened multiple times in speed limit areas from 70-75 on the interstate. The truck clearly displays the correct speed limit on the dash. The driver set speed of 70-77 is suddenly changed to 90 MPH (you can see it on the dash) without any driver input. This has happened multiple times (I live in a rural area). The vehicle only has 1,100 miles. No warning lights come on. Breaking will stop the sudden acceleration. This is a very dangerous situation and needs to be fixed.

NHTSA ID

11757210

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

1. Vehicle sat in a storage unit for 2 weeks. Battery registered adequate voltage when picking up vehicle 2. Started vehicle, engaged 4 Auto due to rain 3. Drove 16 miles in light to moderate rain at speeds of 30-60MPH 4. Made multiple stops at stoplight in town. When waiting at a red light, my foot was on the brake pedal for about 20 seconds, the pedal then jolted up a small amount. The dash immediately displayed several warning lights and messages: Antilock Brake Fault, Antilock Brake System Fault, Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power Fault, Electronic Parking Brake Fault, Hill Start Assist Fault, Precollision Assist Fault, Service Advance Trac Warning, Advanced Front Lighting Features Fault. 5. The light turned green and I proceed to the next light to turn off the main road and park in a neighborhood to call a tow truck. 6. In the process of slowing down for the turn, I applied pressure to the brake pedal, and it went to the floor with no resistance. Brakes were 95% gone. 7. Luckily there were no cars or pedestrians in front of me and I was moving under 30 MPH. This could have been CATASTROPHIC! I was able to use the transmission to downshift to slow the truck down. I was also able to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal to barely slow the truck. When pressing hard on the brake pedal, I could here one or both of the rear tires sporadically screech, as if they locked up a small amount. 8. Finally was able to pull into a neighborhood and call a tow truck to bring truck to dealership. 9. When turning vehicle on to load onto tow truck. The vehicle started as no normal, with no warning lights and normal brake operation. Awaiting further diagnosis from dealer. 10. I have lost all trust in this vehicle if the brake sporadically give out without warning. Luckily this did not happen while going 80MPH on the highway and needing to make an emergency stop. Or while offroading on a shelf road with a 100 foot cliff on the side. Easily could be dead due to this failure.

NHTSA ID

11753658

Incident

Jul 29, 2026

Knocking noise coming from engine. Only 1900 miles

NHTSA ID

11748749

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

I had simply shut my drivers side door and the rear windshield had exploded. Vehicle has less than 4,500 miles.

NHTSA ID

11748593

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Intermittently, the instrument cluster does not turn on upon startup. Speedometer and all other gauges within that screen go dark.

NHTSA ID

11731002

Incident

Mar 13, 2026