NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 17 recalls and 454 owner complaints for the 2023 Ford F-150.
The 2023 F-150 draws the heaviest complaint volume around the powertrain, followed by the electrical system and forward collision avoidance. On the powertrain side, owners of PowerBoost hybrid models frequently describe sudden hesitation or a complete lack of throttle response when accelerating from low speeds, with the truck sitting unresponsive for several seconds before lurching forward. Brake-related complaints appear across multiple reports as well, with owners describing unexpected loss of pedal pressure at highway speeds, sometimes cycling in and out before pressure returns. The forward collision avoidance system generates a separate cluster of complaints in which the automatic braking engages on its own during normal driving, abruptly locking all four wheels without any obstacle present. Parts availability surfaces repeatedly as a secondary frustration, with owners reporting extended wait times at dealerships while vehicles sit unrepaired.
454
Total Complaints
16
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Ford F-150 has 17 recalls, the most serious involving steering loss, rollaway risks, and a fire hazard on Lightning models from loose or missing nuts in the high-voltage battery pack.
Several recalls share a rollaway theme: rear axle hub bolts on trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package can fatigue and break, cutting drive power or allowing the truck to roll when parked, and a loose transmission bolt can prevent the truck from actually latching into park even when the shifter shows it has. On certain single-exhaust trucks, damaged parking brake wiring can trigger the electric parking brake unexpectedly while driving. On 4WD models, a front axle pinion can fracture and lock the front wheels. Lightning models have a separate suspension concern: front upper control arm ball joints can separate from the steering knuckle and cause total loss of steering.
On the safety equipment side, a weak weld in the steering wheel clock spring can disable the driver's frontal airbag, and the passenger-side instrument panel cover can block the front passenger airbag from deploying in a crash. Trailer lighting and brakes can also stop functioning on trucks equipped for towing. Rounding out the list, the rearview camera can freeze or go blank when reversing, the moonroof wind deflector can detach and become a road hazard, and on Lightning models the cabin heater and windshield defroster may not work properly.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module may lose communication with the vehicle, causing brake lights, turn signal lights, or brake function to stop working.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the integrated trailer module software, or the vehicle will receive a software update over-the-air. Both are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clips holding the moonroof wind deflector to the moonroof frame may not be secure enough, allowing the deflector to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle hub bolt can fatigue and break, potentially damaging the axle hub splines on certain 2023-2025 F-150 trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and 9.75-inch heavy duty axle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right rear axle shaft assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear axle hub bolts may break, causing axle shaft splines to wear. This can result in loss of power to the wheels and potential unintended vehicle rollaway if parked without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Ford will replace the rear axle shafts at a dealership at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts connecting the front upper control arms to the steering knuckles may not be tight enough, allowing the arms to separate from the knuckles and causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the nuts for looseness or damage. Any loose or missing nuts will be replaced, and the steering knuckle will be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
What the fix does
The accessory protocol interface module software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nuts connecting the front upper control arms to the steering knuckles may be loose or missing. This could cause the upper control arms to separate, resulting in loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for loose or missing nuts and replace any affected steering knuckles and nuts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Nuts securing the high-voltage battery pack may be loose or missing, potentially causing electrical short circuits or arcing that could result in sudden loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect your truck's battery pack for loose or missing nuts and perform necessary repairs to secure them.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle hub bolt can fatigue and break, potentially damaging the axle hub splines on 2021-2023 F-150s with Trailer Tow Max Duty package and 9.75-inch heavy duty axle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel clock spring may have a weak weld that breaks the electrical connection to the driver's front air bag.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the clock spring and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic cabin coolant heater may have been manufactured incorrectly, causing reduced cabin heat and windshield defrost malfunction.
What the fix does
Ford will replace the electronic cabin coolant heater at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the electric parking brake can be damaged where it contacts the rear axle housing, causing the parking brake to engage unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective tie strap and tape wrap around the harness, and replace the harness if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front axle pinion may lack proper heat treatment, making it susceptible to fracturing during use.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set, or the entire axle assembly if the pinion is already broken.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cover on the passenger side may prevent the front airbag from inflating correctly during a crash.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to have a dealership replace the right-side instrument panel cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-side instrument panel top cover may block the front air bag from deploying properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger instrument panel top cover at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose bolt in the automatic transmission may prevent the vehicle from actually engaging park gear, even though the gear shifter shows park position.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
