Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the power steering and braking functions inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, he became aware that the fuel module was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced a premature timing belt failure. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The engine was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 108,000. The consumer stated the fuel module and timing chain/phasers fail without warning.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's husband turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the next two days. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the knocking sound had returned, and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,614.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced rough driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a cylinder #1 misfire and that the spark plugs and coil pack needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately over 100,000.
While driving lost power from 70 mph to 45 mph drove it slow home Once I parked check engine light and noticed smoke coming from behind and lower part of engine after checking for heat source noticed glowing areas it was the insulation between engine and floor I had to use extinguisher in 4 areas to extinguish I disconnected battery power
The phasers and the timing chain and tensioners is failing. This is premature failure due to engineering mistakes in the design. This is a safety critical walk home failure. Failure will destroy the engine (interference engine). Complete loss of all power and lock up of engine. Mechanic said the only remedy is a rebuilt engine. A reputable engine rebuilder states in their ad on the internet that they have corrected the Ford Motor Company engineering design mistakes in the 5.4l Triton engine.
I have had a coolant leak but haven't been able to find it until now. It is below the thermostat housing, between the manifolds and the metal tube that hooks the bottom of the thermostat to the manifold. I know there is a recall issued for this but it doesn't seem to come up on my truck. In my opinion it should.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine exploded and caught fire. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and found that the fire initiated at the motor heli coil. When fuel penetrated the heli coil, motor, and spark plugs, it caused the engine to explode. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact suffered burns and cuts to the left hand. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Over the past six weeks, I have encountered three events in which my vehicle was accelerating while I had my foot on the brake. The first time, the truck was attempting to pull forward, vibrating, and revving the engine while I was stopped at a light .I thought it was a fluke or an error on my part and disregarded it. The second and third time, I was trying to slow down for the light with vehicles ahead of me. Instead of stopping as I was depressing the brake, the engine began to rev and pull forward. I depressed my brakes to floor and the truck stopped but the engine continued to rev and attempt to pull forward with the brake on. Ford company and my dealership, of course, denied any problems even after I cited several cases in which this occurred with other cars. They said sometimes sensors go out and they should not be responsible for it but were happy to do a diagnosis for $100. …
Bought the t07 f150 at 28K and at 61K this happened. While driving at low gear 2nd the enging chugged a little ( lke an old diesal) took it to the dealer they said it was probably the small oil seal behind the cam. They was going to charge be 5600 for a new engine. They tried like he11 to get me to say I didnt have the oil changed regularly. I never backed down, then reminded them that I had bought the $2700.00 extended warrenty (which I usually never did) they bauked and cried. Buy said that they would find another used engine, they called me and said that they found one for 3500 (or something like that) I began a long search online and found a rebuild for less and gave them the information. They decided to go with that. They ordered the engine and installed it ( well what do you know the replacement had the same prob) they had to pull that engine and get another from the company . …
I bought truck about 2 years ago took to Ford to have tranny flush on it asked them about the ticking noise coming from engine they told me that it was normal on the 5.4 triton about a week ago the ticking got louder and looked up problems and found that there is a design flaw in engine that causes cam phasers fail nd oil pressure drops to zero Ford knows about problem but whn you call they tell you that you need to replace the engine well looked up forums and people who have replaced the motor had same problems with it later on yesterday I was driving taking my 2 daughters to school when all of a sudden the engine shut off I lost brakes and steering. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Roush is recalling 213 my 2007-2008 Ford f-150 trucks altered to operate using liquid propane injection. The hydro-carbon paper affixed to the inside of the airbox lid with adhesive May become dislodged during operation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the airbox lid with a new one that includes the hydro-carbon paper which has been affixed using an adhesive promoter and greater pressure as recommended by the manufacturer free of charge.
Engine complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Ford F-150, 30% of the model year's 488 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford F-150 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-523 (engine and engine cooling, Oct 8, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Ford F-150 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.