Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid problems

Owners filed 95 complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid with NHTSA between May 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (37).

Complaints
95
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system37
  2. Power train34
  3. Engine15
  4. Fuel/propulsion system9
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Exterior lighting5
  7. Forward collision avoidance4
  8. Visibility/wiper4
  9. Vehicle speed control3
  10. Equipment3
  11. Lane departure2
  12. Wheels2
  13. Steering2
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202331
202436
202517
202611

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

37 reports1 crash
“tried to get ford to install Heated Steering Wheel Performance Upgrade 22G06 on this and they claim the case was closed and denied because of the credit on my window sticker they closed my case ID without even notifying me about it. (Ford CASE ID for heated steering module. XXX).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Electrical systemODI 11742018

Power train

34 reports
“I purchased a used 2023 Ford F-150 PowerBoost on April 3, 2026. Within days, the vehicle began making a hard clunk during initial acceleration and when stopping. It also hesitates before accelerating, especially while transitioning between electric and gasoline operation. At times, pressing the accelerator does not produce an immediate or predictable response. The problem is worse when accelerating uphill. This creates a collision risk when entering traffic, crossing intersections, merging, or driving uphill. The clunk can be heard and felt through the vehicle. There is also a loud, high-pitched whine that follows engine speed and certain gear transitions and can become extremely loud at highway speeds. On April 22, a Ford dealer confirmed the clunk during acceleration and stopping. The dealer found excessive movement in the rear leaf-spring and shackle bushings and replaced them, but the clunk and hesitation continued. On May 11, the dealer confirmed the high-pitched whine, traced it to the Hybrid Drive Unit, consulted Ford’s escalation team, and replaced the unit. The whining, clunking, shifting irregularities, and hesitation remained and have progressively…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11769136

Engine

15 reports
“On 7/18/25 I picked up F-150 from being repaired (failed Belt Drive Generator/Starter Tensioner). About 3 hours later I was driving up a long grade at about 5,000 feet when I stopped to check on my cargo (a bicycle). At this point I noticed the cooling fans were running increasingly fast, much faster then they had ever run before. I checked the digital temperature gauge and it showed a normal temperature. I opened the hood and saw there was no coolant in the overflow bottle. I assumed the truck was just a bit low on coolant and I had some (5 liters) water with me so I added that to the overflow bottle. Very little water was visible in the overflow bottle. I replaced the cap, turned off the A/C and immediately headed back to the dealer. At no point did the check engine light come on. At no point did the temperature gauge move from the "normal" area. At no point did any warning message of any time appear on the driver display - unless it occured when I was refilling the overflow bottle. The engine was not operating normally however, the gas engine stayed on at all times and did not cycle on and off as it normally would do (truck is a hybrid). When I arrived at…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2025Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11679461

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports1 crash
“I have a 2023 f150 powerboost. I slowed down to a yielding sign to turn right onto the state highway. The engine was in electric mode, I went to push the acceleration pedal and nothing happened. The truck would not accelerate for 4-5 seconds. I then put the accelerator pedal to the floor and it finally engaged and the truck flew. I’ve had it happen once before but for only a second so I thought nothing of it. It was a scary experience as I could have been hit if another drive wasn’t paying attention. I’m scared to drive it now, and have made an appointment with the local ford dealership to diagnose. No engines lights are on. Only happens when stopping briefly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11737813

Service brakes

6 reports
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly does not accelerate for up to 3 seconds while pressing the gas pedal, brakes either harshly or too soft at varying times, and very irregularly. This occurred while accelerating onto the highway, and almost every time I am braking at a stop sign or light, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration, propulsion, or deceleration. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11754497

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“The driver's side rear light is full of moisture and some water. It is available for inspection. The Ford dealership in Beeville Texas Coastal Bend Ford inspected it already and informed me that it would cost $1,400 to replace and that it was only going to get worse. They also informed me that Ford allows a certain percentage of moisture and water to be in there safely. When you see the pictures this is definitely unacceptable and unsafe. This is causing the reverse lights to flicker intermittent. The moisture accumulation inside the lights can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lamp function. Inoperative reverse lamps may reduce the awareness of other motorists or road users of the driver's intention to operate the vehicle in reverse gear increasing the risk of injury or crash. I bought the vehicle from a Ford dealership in Austin Texas less than 10 days ago. I reported it to them and they stated it wouldn't be covered under warranty. The best assessment in my opinion of cause is going to be microcracks in the outer lens. Because my truck is a 2023 Ford F-150 King Ranch, and there is a known recall for the same issue for 2022-2023 Lariat and Platinum…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11745962
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.