Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 24 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2022 | 14 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2021 | 36 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2020 | 22 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2019 | 32 | 2% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 193 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 111 | 8% | 23,000 miles |
| 2016 | 199 | 10% | 20,000 miles |
| 2015 | 147 | 8% | 28,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 2% | 73,000 miles |
| 2013 | 48 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 92 | 11% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 34 | 10% | 37,000 miles |
| 2008 | 23 | 6% | 54,000 miles |
| 2007 | 31 | 6% | 93,000 miles |
| 2006 | 44 | 8% | 84,000 miles |
| 2005 | 77 | 7% | 72,000 miles |
| 2004 | 104 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2003 | 32 | 8% | 79,000 miles |
| 2002 | 45 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 65 | 5% | 119,000 miles |
| 2000 | 66 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 95 | 9% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 138 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 1997 | 226 | 8% | 130,000 miles |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% | 181,000 miles |
| 1995 | 18 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2025 F-150 Tremor (5.0 V8, 402A package with modular front bumper) has a large open area in the front bumper. Through this opening you can clearly see the front of the engine and related components. This appears to be a design issue rather than a one-off build problem. Other 2025 Tremor owners with the same 402A modular bumper are reporting the same concern and asking whether a cover is missing from the factory. My concern is that the exposed opening could allow rocks, road debris, or off-road obstacles to directly impact vital components at highway speed or when driving on rough/uneven surfaces. This may increase the risk of damage, fluid leaks, or sudden loss of power/steering if components are struck. It also appears inconsistent with typical under-engine protection on off-road-oriented trims. …
The driver-side rear tail lamp on my 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning developed a crack and internal condensation/moisture without a known impact event. The condition was confirmed by a Ford dealer, which recommended replacement of the LH tail lamp assembly. Ford denied warranty coverage and classified the lamp as non-warrantable cracked housing / outside-force damage. My concern is that cracking and moisture intrusion in a rear lamp assembly may affect lamp integrity, visibility, and safe operation, especially if similar failures are occurring in other recent F-150 Lightning vehicles. I had no crash, no fire, no injury, and no police report. The vehicle remained drivable, but the rear lamp assembly is available for inspection and the condition has been documented by the dealer and in photographs.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the driver's side window was vibrating. The contact applied pressure with his hand to the window and the vibration stopped; however, as soon as the contact removed his hand the vibration restarted. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was constant while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure occurred with either of the rear windows was opened slightly. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the issue. The dealer decided to replace all the gaskets on the driver's side door, and parts of the window actuator motor. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer a total of four times. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH in the rain, the contact noticed water coming through the front driver's side floor, on the left side of the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with his wife occupying the front passenger's side seat, the contact's wife felt air coming through the front passenger's side floor of the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife placed her hand on the floor and felt the air coming through; however, the A/C was not engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a water entry test was performed, and the dealer confirmed that water was entering underneath the brake pedal. The dealer determined that an unknown valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to partially cover the cost of the repair. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Air DAM System fault detected" was displayed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's Side Active Air Dam Motor Actuator. The contact was informed that the part displayed signs of external damage as if the driver had struck an object. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure with the driver's Side Active Air Dam Motor Actuator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 4,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated there was an abnormal mildew odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the windshield was incorrectly sealed, causing a leak that caused the mold to develop. The dealer informed the contact that the leak was causing corrosion on the parts distribution box. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V486000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer denied any assistance. The failure mileage was 28,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vent clips had detached from all the air vents. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where the clips had been replaced under warranty; however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that the failure would occur in warmer weather. The vehicle was returned to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure or covered under warranty. The manufacturer had referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact noticed an unusual grinding sound. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact noticed a lot of unusual clicking or rattling sounds. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed a fire underneath the vehicle. In addition, the drive shaft was detached. The contact stated that the fire burned out independently. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the drive shaft had scorching around it. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V986000 (Power Train, Structure), was performed on the contact's VIN about six months ago. …
Related recalls (7)
Structure › Body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened. This can lead to detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the vehicle joints or repair and replace the joint retention mechanisms as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications letters were mailed October 19, 2026.
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft, as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2022.
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022.
Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Super Cab pick-up trucks not equipped with a moonroof. The structural roof braces may be missing rivets at the attachment of the roof rail, thereby reducing the structural integrity.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install the rivets for the roof brace attachments, free of charge. The recall began October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles manufactured January 30, 2015, to January 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have loose or missing underbody heat shields.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing underbody heat shields and fasteners, and will install the missing components as required, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2015.
Show 2 more recalls
Structure › Body › Door
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 in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed…
Remedy: 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 activation for replacement…
Structure › Body
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Spare tire wear
Spare tire mounting
The national highway traffic safety administration was petitioned to commence a defect investigation of the subject vehicles by a letter signed by william f. Allard and dated 15-feb-98.the petition alleges that the spare tire mounting places the tire sidewall directly in contact with the metal undercarriage causing wear and damage of the sidewall.the petition further alleges that when the damaged tire is used,…
Windshield trim molding Item detachment
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-150 years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (226), 2016 (199), 2018 (193), 2015 (147) and 1998 (138) model years. Body complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 body problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 26V-550 (body, Aug 25, 2026); 22V-623 (underbody shields, Aug 12, 2022); 21V-986 (underbody shields, Dec 16, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (1,206 mentions), followed by the body › door (443).
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.