Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 16 | 8% | 22,000 miles |
| 2023 | 28 | 7% | 9,000 miles |
| 2022 | 41 | 7% | 12,000 miles |
| 2021 | 101 | 10% | 33,000 miles |
| 2020 | 139 | 19% | 55,000 miles |
| 2019 | 374 | 28% | 68,000 miles |
| 2018 | 589 | 25% | 62,000 miles |
| 2017 | 368 | 25% | 69,000 miles |
| 2016 | 344 | 17% | 56,000 miles |
| 2015 | 282 | 16% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 190 | 12% | 75,000 miles |
| 2013 | 567 | 19% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 498 | 28% | 23,000 miles |
| 2011 | 511 | 23% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 138 | 16% | 62,000 miles |
| 2009 | 51 | 16% | 81,000 miles |
| 2008 | 75 | 20% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 146 | 30% | 89,000 miles |
| 2006 | 151 | 26% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 228 | 21% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 257 | 13% | 89,000 miles |
| 2003 | 97 | 23% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 262 | 32% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 278 | 22% | 101,000 miles |
| 2000 | 158 | 15% | 98,000 miles |
| 1999 | 246 | 24% | 99,000 miles |
| 1998 | 187 | 14% | 95,000 miles |
| 1997 | 544 | 20% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% | 130,000 miles |
| 1995 | 73 | 12% | 160,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine revved, and while idling, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with bearing damage caused by a defective connecting rod and rod bearings, which caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V344000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure by the dealer; however, the contact had not spoken with the manufacturer. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
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. …
On 4/22/2026 while flat towing this vehicle behind my motorhome, it burst into flames. The trip began in [redacted] . Driving south on [redacted], I stopped about 120 miles later at a rest stop near [redacted]. I did a complete walk around inspection. There were no issues, everything looked fine. We continued on and about 20 miles later another vehicle driver was telling me frantically to pull over. I looked at my rear camera and saw the Ford was smoking. This was not due to an improper neutral tow setting. The truck would have burned in the first 20 miles. I have towed this vehicle many times. I know the importance of doing it properly., Thankfully there was a good place to pull over. I tried to extinguish the fire with my extinguisher but it was too hot. I was unable to disconnect from the motorhome. Both are a total loss. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling very rough. Additionally, the contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, with the fuel gauge indicating 20-miles to empty, the contact was unable to properly place the nozzle into the fuel filler neck, causing fuel to spill from the vehicle. The contact stated that fuel spilled on the contact and his wife on separate occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle required twenty minutes to refuel and automatically stopped refueling at three-quarter tank full. The contact used a screwdriver to enlarge the fuel filler neck. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. Another dealer, Natchez Ford Parts (14 Seargent Prentiss St., Natchez, MS 39120), was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the cylinder #6 port injector had failed. The dealer replaced cylinder #6 port injector, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that cylinder #4 port injector had failed and replaced the port injector. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the third time. And it was determined that cylinder #1 port injector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sent the manufacturer a certified letter notifying the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,500.
This vehicle started having issues. The truck would shut off going down the highway at 60-65 mph. The radio would blink on and off. The truck would shut down and not turn back on for multiple hours. Dealer couldn't replicate the problem. Our son utilized the truck to go and pick up LP gas for us from his shop. On the way back to our home, he stopped at a stop sign and suddenly noticed smoke coming from the dash. He attempted to put out the fire which was then raging under the dashboard and hood. He got the fire out, fire department arrived, truck ignited again. The fire department put out the truck. Son was burned trying to not have the truck explode with gas tanks in the back.
The contact owned a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3-4 MPH going up a sandy rocky hill while towing a trailer, he noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver's and passenger's side engine compartments. The contact was able to stop and exit the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was burned to the ground when the fire department arrived on the scene. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The Insurance provider had the vehicle inspected by a Fire Origin Specialist however, the contact was not provided a report of any findings. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while stopped, the engine revved up with the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond, moved, and crashed into a GMC pickup. The driver placed the shifter into the park position and turned off the vehicle and removed the keys, but the vehicle continued on for approximately 4 minutes. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, or fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer sent two engineers and the insurance company sent an engineer to evaluate the vehicle and requested to take possession of the event data recorder but the owner declined. The manufacturer was contacted, who provided a case number but no additional assistance was provided. …
Related recalls (10)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Transit, F-150, and Explorer vehicles. The connecting rod and rod bearing components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connecting rods and replace the engine long block assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-150 trucks. Contact with the engine coolant hose may chafe the engine wire harness or cause a pull out of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) connector pins, causing the engine to stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, replace the engine wire harness as necessary, and relocate the engine coolant hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2025.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Show 5 more recalls
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016 F-150 pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge.
Engine
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.
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,…
Engine
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.
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.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L engines. The cylinder heads may have been machined without lubrication supply holes for the camshaft bearing journals.
Remedy: Ford is not aware of any affected vehicles outside of dealer control. Should owner contact subsequently be required, arrangements will be made to transport their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the engine…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Reduced power during hard acceleration
On May 22, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-018 to investigate 95 complaints alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford F-150 trucks.ODI was aware of three technical service bulletins (TSBs) issued by Ford for a condition that was related to moisture accumulation in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) for the turbochargers.A…
Loss of Motive Power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-150 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (589), 2013 (567), 1997 (544), 2011 (511) and 2012 (498) model years. Engine complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 engine problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 25V-344 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Jun 13, 2025); 25V-398 (hoses/lines/piping/fittings, Jun 13, 2025); 25V-198 (oil/lubrication, Mar 28, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (782 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (293).
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.