CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2023 Ford F-150

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 409 safety complaints about the 2023 Ford F-150 with the US government. Of those, 18 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 11 people were injured and no death is recorded. 13 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 157 complaints, 38% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 29,700 miles, the median across the 83 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2023 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

409 complaints on file

409

Complaints

18

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

11

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 157 · 38%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 83 · 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 64 · 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 39 · 10%
ENGINE 27 · 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 27 · 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 23 · 6%
STRUCTURE 21 · 5%
WHEELS 21 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18 · 4%
STEERING 16 · 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 16 · 4%
0 65 131

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 409.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 146.

156 117 78 39
23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2023 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2023 Ford F-150. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

13 on file

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

26V578000 · September 9, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2027 F-150 vehicles. The fuel tank may be improperly secured and leak fuel, or detach from the vehicle while driving.
The risk
A detached tank can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a fuel leak can cause an engine stall or increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank straps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 14, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 223,472 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

26V489000 · July 28, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 and 2023-2026 F-250 SD vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C37. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 31, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 47,587 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

26V104000 · February 20, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,381,878 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

25V729000 · October 24, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
The risk
A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 174,853 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

25V512000 · August 8, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
The risk
Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. This is a phased recall. Ford owners will receive letters in multiple phases, beginning August 2025 through Winter 2025. Phase 1 will include 2023 F-150 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include 2025 F-150 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 F-150 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 22, 2025. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S82. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V896.

Ford Motor Company · up to 103,174 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V315000 · May 9, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,076,138 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

24V852000 · November 8, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Ford Motor Company · up to 27,678 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

23V896000 · December 22, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
The risk
Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S65.

Ford Motor Company · up to 112,965 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:COLUMN

23V847000 · December 15, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 and Ford SD F250, F350, F450, F550, and F600 vehicles. The steering wheel clock spring may have an insufficient weld, causing a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
The risk
A deactivated air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Ford Motor Company · up to 17,970 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:ELECTRICAL

23V509000 · July 21, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a single exhaust system. Contact with the rear axle housing may damage the wiring harness, causing the electric parking brake to activate unexpectedly.
The risk
Unexpected activation of the electric parking brake while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will install a protective tie strap, tape wrap, and replace the harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S35.

Ford Motor Company · up to 870,701 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

23V128000 · February 24, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
The risk
A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

Ford Motor Company · up to 240 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

23V072000 · February 10, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150 vehicles. The instrument panel top cover on the passenger-side may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger instrument panel top cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 16, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C01.

Ford Motor Company · up to 321 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

23V070000 · February 10, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
The risk
The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,138 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 injured

My truck features the B&O speakers and initially I heard a very loud pop on the passenger side of the vehicle. Radio and CarPlay was playing but no sound was coming from the speakers. Then an extremely loud static noise vibrated the entire truck through the speakers at full volume. I had family in the car and it scared everyone. Pulled over and shut the car off and the static persisted until the electronics fully shut off. Went back in the truck and turned it on and the static continued. On the 3rd try 5 minutes later the static finally stopped and everything worked “normal”.

NHTSA complaint 11528490. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · crash · towed

After a crash into a tree on the passenger side the airbags deployed and the truck immediately caught fire and the doors locked and would not open for any reason. The only way I was able to exit was busting through the front windshield. had I been severely injured or knocked unconscious the outcome of this would have been much different. The truck burned to the ground in 11 minutes. It has been inspected by the police and awaiting insurance representative to inspect. There were no warning no recalls regarding a crash that would lock the doors and not allow me to exit.

NHTSA complaint 11728363. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire

This vehicle started having issues. The truck would shut off going down the highway at 60-65 mph. The radio would blink on and off. The truck would shut down and not turn back on for multiple hours. Dealer couldn't replicate the problem. Our son utilized the truck to go and pick up LP gas for us from his shop. On the way back to our home, he stopped at a stop sign and suddenly noticed smoke coming from the dash. He attempted to put out the fire which was then raging under the dashboard and hood. He got the fire out, fire department arrived, truck ignited again. The fire department put out the truck. Son was burned trying to not have the truck explode with gas tanks in the back.

NHTSA complaint 11656711. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

1 injured · crash · towed · 178 miles

The contact owned a 2023 Ford F150. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 70 MPH, the driver's side wheel and axle detached, the driver lost control, and she crashed into the guard rail. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver sustained injuries to her body, including burns, bruises, and neck and shoulder pain. The driver received medical attention in the emergency room. The air bags were deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not informed

NHTSA complaint 11572195, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Rear axle half shaft and hub replacement assembly (Manufacturer Recall Number 25S82 NHTSA Recall Number25V512). Neither Ford nor the local dealership seem to care about repairing this issue in a timely manner. The truck was inspected soon after the recall was received. The dealer confirmed that my truck fell under the recall. They supposedly placed an order for parts at that time (October 2025). A year later the repair has not been completed. I have contacted Ford Customer Service twice about the parts availability issue. Ford states the parts are available. The dealership states the parts are not available. According to the NTSB, recall repairs should happen in a timely manner. If they

NHTSA complaint 11767949, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT LED FAILED AND FORD REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THEIR 4/48000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE FAILURE IS GOING TO COST $1700 TO CORRECT. FOR A LIGHT BULB(LED SO NO BULB) ISSUE, THIS IS FRAUD FROM FORD NOT HONORING COVERAGES AND FOR NOT SELLING A VEHICLE WITH NON SERVICABLE PARTS FOR COMMON FAILURE POINTS

NHTSA complaint 11767492. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 shifts violently, lurches from P to D, delayed shifting. This occurred while while driving under normal conditions creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. 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.

NHTSA complaint 11763650, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
This is related to obtaining a timely repair for the following recall: Manufacturer Recall Number25S82 NHTSA Recall Number25V512 Ford lacks the parts to address the recall. My recall was confirmed by the dealer, photos taken and an order placed with Ford over one year ago, after trying to have the recall addressed at another dealer. The recall was issued on May 24, 2024 and all parts are still on backorder. This is a safety concern. I get notified weekly that my vehicle needs the repairs yet none of the dealers around me have parts.

NHTSA complaint 11762090. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 lost the selected gear and rims spiked and then it violently slammed into gear. It feels like it thru my truck into a limp mode. It lost 5th would not catch it going up and down thru the gears. It happened randomly. This occurred while while accelerating to merge on the highway. It also kept going it in stop and go traffic on the interstate, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident

NHTSA complaint 11761788, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

31,000 miles

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, rainwater leaked into the vehicle from the front driver’s side windshield seal onto the dashboard. The contact was concerned that the water might eventually cause electrical failures inside the dashboard. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled. The failure mileage was 31,000.

NHTSA complaint 11761807. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-150

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 10 5 —
2025 106 13 —
2024 190 11 —
2022 595 23 —
2021 1,018 29 —
2020 730 11 —
2019 1,329 9 —
2018 2,311 18 3
2017 1,442 17 —
2016 2,059 13 —
2015 1,719 13 3
2014 1,533 8 1
2013 2,982 3 4
2012 1,782 4 2
2011 2,190 6 —
2010 843 1 —

Other 2023 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst