2015 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 929 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Ford F-150, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 13 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 929
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes
- 27
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 15
- Median mileage
- 86,056 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 362 of 929 complaints (39%).
- Engine (188) and electrical system (107) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 86,056 mi.
- Owners reported 27 crashes, 10 fires and 15 injuries.
- The 2015 Ford F-150 has 13 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 6th of 22 Ford F-150 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 7% more complaints than the 2014 model year (868).
2015 Ford F-150 problems by category
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 9 crashes362 complaints
- Engine · 1 crash188 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 3 crashes127 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash107 complaints
- Brakes · 7 crashes85 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 4 crashes63 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash45 complaints
- 44 complaints
- 41 complaints
- 34 complaints
- 32 complaints
- 30 complaints
- Airbags · 8 crashes20 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes12 complaints
- Lighting7 complaints
- Suspension6 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 357 |
| Engine | 172 |
| Unknown or other | 127 |
| Electrical system | 98 |
| Service brakes | 72 |
| Vehicle speed control | 61 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 36 |
| Steering | 30 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2015 Ford F-150 recalls (13)
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
- ENGINE · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
- ENGINE · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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. During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
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, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
- 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.
Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
- SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab. The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer. These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCrew trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 17, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with driver or front passenger seat belt anchorage assemblies whose pretensioner cable was not properly crimped. As a result, the seat belts may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies" and 210, " Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: An occupant that is not be properly restrained is at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and/or front passenger side seat belt retractor(s) and pretensioner(s), free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C17.
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 18, 2014, to August 6, 2015 and equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). While using the Adaptive Cruise Control, the vehicle may falsely detect an obstacle in its path and may unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the cruise control module with updated ACC radar software, free of charge. The recall began on October 25, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S29.
- STEERING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.
Risk: If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S17.
- 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.
Risk: A missing underbody heat shield can lead to degradation or melting of the fuel or vapor lines, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S12.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced a sudden and rapid deceleration often accompanied by temporary rear wheel lockup, seizure, or skidding, resulting in a loss of vehicle control that increases the risk of crash and injury to all motorist…
- PE25002Opened Mar 21, 2025Closed Jan 30, 2026
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced a sudden and rapid deceleration often accompanied by temporary rear wheel lockup, seizure, or skidding, resulting in a loss of vehicle control that increases the risk of crash and injury to all motor…
Seatbelt Pretensioner Fire
On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY 2014-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab, and Super Crew Cab Vehicles. On August 24, 2018, Ford Motor Company recalled (FSA 18S27 - NHTSA #18V568) the affected population. Ford's investigation found that some front seat belt pretensioners may generate sparks during deployment in excess of Ford's specification. Sparks in the pretensioner exhaust gases inside the lower portion of the B-…
- AQ17001Opened Jan 4, 2017Closed Jun 15, 2018
Champion Ford Edinboro / Steering Shaft
NHTSA opened AQ17-001 to determine whether Champion Ford Edinboro, Inc. (Champion Ford), of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?30120(i)).NH…
Brake Master Cylinder Failure
On June 8, 2020, Ford Motor Company issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-332) of 292,311 model year (MY) 2014-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines and built from 9/1/2014 to 8/1/2016. Ford stated that the causes of brake fluid loss in the master cylinder are brake fluid contamination that can interfere with rear cup seal function, and rolling of the rearmost cup seal.Prior to total loss of the front brakes, depending on the amount of brake fluid loss in the master cylinder, the driver may receive an audible chime, message center alert and red brake warning indic…
Recent 2015 Ford F-150 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026TXOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
2015 Ford F-150 Platinum, 6-speed automatic. Ford recall 26S28 (NHTSA campaign 26V-237, PCM software update for unintended transmission downshift) was performed at All Star Ford, Wichita Falls, TX. BEFORE the recall service, this truck ran smoothly, quietly, and flawlessly. AFTER the PCM update, the transmission developed severe jerking and hard downshifting that never existed before the recall work. The dealership has held my vehicle since August 12, 2026. The mandatory…
NHTSA complaint #11769957 · source - Filed Oct 7, 2026166,087 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle downshifted from 4th gear to 2nd gear and the rear wheels locked up. The message “Service Vehicle Soon” was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone and DTC: P0720 was retrieved. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the DTC: P0705, P0706, P0707, and P1702…
NHTSA complaint #11769670 · source - Filed Oct 7, 2026FLSteering
I am writing to express my serious concern about a power steering failure in my 2015 F-150. Within the last few weeks, it began losing electronic power steering assist intermittently. The loss of assist happens suddenly, with no warning light or message on the dash. When it happens, the steering becomes extremely heavy and difficult to turn, and it can happen at any speed. The vehicle is very hard to steer without power assist, and becomes a serious risk to avoid an…
NHTSA complaint #11769644 · source - Filed Oct 6, 2026UTElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
While driving my 2015 Ford F-150, the vehicle experiences a severe and hazardous transmission defect. The transmission unexpectedly drops out of gear while in motion, resulting in an immediate loss of power and acceleration. Simultaneously, the 'D' (Drive) gear indicator light on the instrument cluster goes dark, and both the wrench warning light and check engine light illuminate, forcing the vehicle into an unsafe limp mode. This vehicle is subject to active safety Recall…
NHTSA complaint #11769465 · source - Filed Oct 6, 2026249,948 miALFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a software update was performed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, following the recall repair, the fuel economy was reduced and the transmission experienced intermittent hard shifting. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a tune-up and spark plug replacements; however, the spark plugs…
NHTSA complaint #11769247 · source - Filed Oct 5, 2026122,984 miTNTowedElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). Ford Campbell sent a technician to the residence on August 9, 2026, to perform the update. While driving, the power train warning light was displayed. The technician arrived at the residence again to repair the vehicle. There was lag while driving, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. While driving 25 MPH, the power train warning light was displayed. The vehicle…
NHTSA complaint #11768906 · source - Filed Oct 2, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
The transmission control module recall was serviced and a diagnostic was paid for to ensure there was no outstanding issues with the transmission 300 miles later the transmission totally failed in forward gear and reverse. It will only go into park, no reverse and no forward gear, a complete electronic and mechanical failure 300 miles after a service! I CALLED Ford for assistance and they would only take a complaint. With no follow up.
NHTSA complaint #11768484 · source - Filed Oct 1, 2026177,000 miVATransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission shifted unexpectedly to a lower or higher gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission leadframe was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The contact associated the failure with the recall. The contact submitted the receipt for the prior repair to the dealer…
NHTSA complaint #11768281 · source
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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology