Problems · NHTSA complaints

2000 Ford F-150 problems

Owners filed 1,206 complaints about the 2000 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between Oct 1999 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (211).

Complaints
1,206
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
92
Reported by owners
Fires
361
Reported by owners
Injuries
79
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system211
  2. Vehicle speed control201
  3. Engine and engine cooling157
  4. Fuel system, gasoline126
  5. Air bags78
  6. Steering77
  7. Structure76
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic72
  9. Power train52
  10. Tires52
  11. Suspension44
  12. Visibility35
  13. Exterior lighting26
  14. Engine24

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 Nov 9, 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
19995
200073
200196
200261
2003107
2004137
2005231
200658
200766
200837
200933
201048
2011135
201222
201318
201420
20159
201611
20177
20183
20195
20203
20215
20221
20233
20241
20256
20265

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

211 reports3 crashes142 fires
“Truck was shut down while driving. I was unable to apply brakes in a safe manner, truck was hard to stop and steering wheel was impossible to turn. Something in the steering wheel column ALWAYS breaks on Ford F150 model trucks. There are 3 F150's in my family right now and ALL 3 have had the same exact problems. Something in the electrical system makes the batteries go bad prematurely. The air conditioner compressors and the dryers all go bad prematurely. The door locks on ALL Ford models break and doors cannot be opened. The gear shifters will not go all the way into park and vehicle rolls posing a danger to anyone standing nearby. I nearly got run over by this Ford F150 slipping out of gear and rolling backward, had there not been a planter with plants in between me and the truck I would have been run over by my own truck and DEAD! There AbSoLuTeLy DOES NOT need to be a KILL SWITCH installed on ANY vehicle, as it endangers all drivers and all passengers in the vehicle, as well as poses a danger to any surrounding motorists!!!!!! This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS for an elderly driver or inexperienced driver!! Maybe before FORD installs a kill switch, they need to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11774985

Vehicle speed control

201 reports4 crashes159 fires2 related recalls
“Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing with a engine light about 1 year earlier that popped up again about 3 months ago. The codes indicated "Lean bank-Right" and "Lean bank-Left". Facts: On July 20, 2026, at approximately 1:00 AM, my 1997 Ford F-150 spontaneously caught fire while parked in my garage. The vehicle had not been started for well over a week. The fire raged directly under our bedroom for over 40 minutes before the fire department was able to attempt containment, nearly burning our house to the ground. There were also two other vehicles in the garage at the time. We are currently in the early stages of a major Homeowners Insurance (HOI) restoration claim. Fortunately, the fire scene in the garage remains intact as of this date while the HOI conducts their investigations. We have learned that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11756937

Engine and engine cooling

157 reports4 crashes52 fires
“ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND THE AIR INTAKE AREA. THE FIRE MELTED EVERYTHING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HOUSING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10575964

Fuel system, gasoline

126 reports1 crash7 fires2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 1991 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle was sluggish. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed after warming up. The contact stated upon refueling the vehicle, the gasoline would splash out of the fuel tank filler neck and onto the gas pump. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11662433

Air bags

78 reports62 crashes4 fires
“The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 7 MPH, the vehicle in front of hers stopped abruptly, causing her to slam on the brakes. The vehicle hit the rear end of the other vehicle. The front passenger's side bumper of the vehicle was bent inward. The contact stated that it was a fender bender; however, the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed. The contact noticed a strong burning odor. The contact stated that the police officer confirmed that there was a strong burning odor and smoke; however, when the officer opened the hood, there was no smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that she sustained a torn skin on the arm due to the air bag deploying. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11542770

Steering

77 reports8 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel started to wobble. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,699.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2025SteeringODI 11662672
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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