2019 Ford F-150 Reliability Report

Three fires are reported. In one, the rear sliding glass shattered during remote start and the defroster caught fire. In another, a truck parked for hours caught fire on the passenger side of the engine compartment. The most frequent everyday fault is a backup camera that shows a blue, black, or distorted screen. Owners say Ford left their VIN out of recall 22V252000. Other reports include infotainment blackouts, sudden power loss while driving, and a no-start with a steering assist fault in extreme cold.

A rattle or clank from the cam phasers for several seconds after a cold start is the main pattern, usually with no warning light. Reports span roughly 40,000 to 111,050 miles. Many owners say they were excluded from Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03, and few report that the repair was done. Oil consumption also appears, with knocking and power loss on hills, and one engine was damaged by low oil. Less common reports include catalytic converter failure, coolant getting into the engine at 130,000 miles, and a head gasket leak while towing.

Water leaks into the cab are the main theme. A faulty AC evaporator drain or a leaking door seal soaks the passenger-side carpet and grows mold under the dash. The rear window cracks at its edges or bursts during remote start with the defroster on. Tailgate handles stick open, and some tailgates drop on their own. Other reports include rust flakes on the paint, creaking door hinges, a door crash bar never bolted at the factory, and one fire that started in the dash of a parked truck.

The rearview camera goes blank, blue, or black, shows a distorted or frozen image, or displays "Camera Malfunction" when the truck is in reverse. Failures often come and go before turning permanent. Reports range from about 19,900 to 105,000 miles. Nearly every complaint says the dealer confirmed the VIN was not part of recall 22V252000, so most trucks went unrepaired. Owners stress the large rear blind spot when backing up without a working camera.

Sudden loss of steering is the most serious report. In one case the truck veered off the road and hit mailboxes. Some trucks shut off while driving, which takes away power steering and braking. Other reports include a wheel that turns by itself, steering that jumps in turns, and steering columns replaced alongside stability-control warnings. A steering wheel nut was found loose at 68,000 miles, and a tie rod broke. Vibration above 40 mph, false hands-on-wheel alerts, and an airbag cover splitting from horn use also appear.

Two patterns stand out. Airbags fail to deploy in serious frontal and side crashes, and this category accounts for 6 crash-related reports and 15 injuries. The driver airbag cover also cracks along its seam under the Ford emblem and exposes the airbag. Pressing the horn often sets this off, and covers fail again after replacement, from about 28,100 to 114,000 miles. Owners also report one deployment with no crash and a restraint control module that lost communication, with several warning lights on.

The brake pedal sinks to the floor, often with a "Brake Fluid Low" warning. Owners find fluid leaking near the passenger firewall or a ruptured hose rubbing on the steering column. Owners of trucks with the 2.7L note that a related recall covered only the 3.5L. Automatic emergency braking either fails to engage before a collision or slams on in slow traffic for no reason. Other reports include rotors that keep failing at low mileage and ABS that grabs one wheel on rough pavement at highway speed.