Problems · NHTSA complaints
2023 Ford F-150 problems
Owners filed 419 complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between Mar 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (160).
Complaints
419
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train160
- Electrical system86
- Service brakes39
- Forward collision avoidance28
- Engine28
- Structure24
- Exterior lighting23
- Wheels21
- Vehicle speed control18
- Visibility/wiper17
- Steering17
- Visibility12
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Fuel/propulsion system9
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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
36
99
128
156
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2025 | 128 |
| 2026 | 156 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
160 reports4 crashes4 related recalls
“Spring of 2025 shortly after buying this truck I took it to Ford dealer to have theinspection for the axle bolts. They reported they were ok and closed the recall. On 10/5/2026 I took my truck to an independant mechanic for a leaking right rear axle seal. When he pulled the wheel off the axle bolt head fell to the ground. When he called me to let me know what was going on I told him about the recall and to wait untilI contacted Ford. When I called ford dealer who did the inspection they told me it was closed and no further action due by them. That I would be responsible for the repairs. They said they could not sell me new axles because they were kept for vehicles fixed under the recall. So, ai has my mechanic replace the sea, hub and bolt. A week later the seal failed again. I do not know if the bolt broke again or not I haven't had it to the garage yet. I have contacted customer service at Ford they refused to let me talk to someone higher up and hung up on me. I am currently driving the truck it is my main transportation. I contacted the social media group at Ford also they just gave me the run around and same answer - "the recall is closed and no further…”
Electrical system
86 reports3 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“Trace water accumulation routing from clogged/faulty drain plug to corroded DCN wiring connector during rainfall. Due to manufacturing design of '23 Ford F150 model windshield drain cowls, minor debris allowed for water to backflow into the Data Communication Network (DCN) wiring harness and Body Control Module (BCM) connectors, interior electrical components, and interior of the cab wetting the upholstery and flooring within the front passenger side of truck. Driver experienced electrical black outs within the dash and center screens, lighting failures, and multiple system alert misfires while driving the vehicle. Alerts consistently glitching on the dash screen included: Service Vehicle Soon, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available, Service Advance Trac, Rear Belt Monitor Fault Service Required. The issues were reported to Ford, whose representatives noted the history behind water damages associated with cowl/drain designs, but confirmed the issue has not been formalized for recall. This known issue presents buyers with financial and physical safety risks, known by Ford, and places full responsibility for poor engineering on new owners. The vehicle is currently at…”
Service brakes
39 reports5 crashes
“As I was stopping at an intersection for a redlight, the brakes locked up and the collision assist warning and another message came up on the screen. There were no cars in front of me at the intersection. This is the first time that this has ever happened and the truck has 32,665 miles. No servicing has been performed on this truck beyond oil changes and tire rotations.”
Forward collision avoidance
28 reports
“While using adaptive cruise control in stop-and-go traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, my 2023 Ford F-150 repeatedly loses track of the vehicle directly ahead and accelerates toward its set speed despite stopped traffic in front of me, requiring me to brake manually to avoid a collision. This happens every time I cross the bridge in traffic, most recently on October 26, 2026, at about 7:33 PM, at 37,293 miles.”
Engine
28 reports4 crashes3 fires
“While driving at speed, my vehicle experienced a severe safety hazard: the transmission jerked violently and the engine completely stalled on the road, causing an immediate loss of power. The dealership diagnosed the truck and stated that tree debris had plugged the cowl drains at the base of the windshield. Because the drains plugged, rainwater backed up and overflowed directly into the passenger cabin, soaking the Body Control Module (BCM) and crashing the central computer network. A vehicle's central computer network should not be engineered in a way that normal outdoor tree debris can completely flood an interior cabin module and cause a dangerous drivetrain shutdown while driving.”
Structure
24 reports
“Ford recall #25SB7 notice from dealer. Took it in since my moonroof has the exact problem mentioned in the recall notice. For some reason, my truck has no recall notice.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.