Ford F-150 Hybrid won't start problems

Filed May 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Dash said look for safe place to pull over. When turned engine off, it would not start again. Had to wait hours to get it towed to dealership. Been there over 5 weeks and they still don't know what's wrong but suspect hybrid battery problem. Only about 21k miles and 18 mo old. No loaner provided.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OK

Vehicle Information 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost VIN: [XXX] Complaint Description While driving approximately 70 mph on a highway, my 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost suddenly displayed a “Stop Safely Now” message and immediately lost propulsion. The engine shut down without warning while I was in active traffic. After the shutdown, the vehicle automatically shifted into park and would not allow me to shift into neutral. This left me unable to move the vehicle out of a live traffic lane. I was forced to shut the vehicle off while still in a dangerous roadway position. This incident created a serious safety hazard, as I was traveling at highway speed and could have been rear-ended due to the sudden loss of power and inability to move the vehicle. This issue appears to match Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-2317, which describes “Stop Safely Now” warnings, no-start conditions, and gateway module (GWM) software faults. This indicates a known defect that can cause sudden loss of propulsion. A claim has already been opened with Ford Motor Company under case number [XXX], and the vehicle is currently at a Ford dealership for diagnosis. At this time, the issue has not been resolved. This failure occurred without warning and presents a significant risk to driver safety and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 12, 2025 · Electrical · OK

This is the 3rd time this has happened since purchasing this vehicle. Purchased on 7/27/24. The previous 2 times it resolved itself and the vehicle started and ran with no apparent issues afterwards.1st was on 8/05/24, 2nd was on 10/14/24. On this 3rd and current time I went to start the vehicle and vehicle would not start. The lights and radio work but the vehicle did not start. Only displayed a stop safely now message on the instrument panel. This is one of my worse fears happening as I type this. I'm stranded with a vehicle that will not start and my father is on his death bed with no way to get to him....

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · MI

While operating the vehicle, I shifted into park, using the console shifter. With no warning, the vehicle malfunctioned. The console shifter indicator light started blinking next to the "P" and it would not let me shift back into gear. I turned off the vehicle and tried to restart it in the hopes that it would clear the error. The vehicle engine would not start, and told me to shift the vehicle into park. I was unable to shift the gear into park or any gear. A tow truck driver came and we were able to force the vehicle into neutral for towing, but the vehicle's parking brake engaged and would not disengage. Every time we turned off the parking brake, it immediately turned itself back on. Thus, we could not push the vehicle into a better position for the tow truck to get the vehicle and the tow truck operator had to drag the vehicle with its back tires not turning. At the Ford dealership, a service employee inspected the vehicle and said there was no physical damage to any component and that some kind of electronics error had caused the fault. He said it was a known issue with F150 transmissions and that a Ford service bulletin indicated a 6-hour "module" reprogramming process was necessary to make the truck operable. He said that it could recur. I spoke to Ford customer service. A representative there confirmed that this is a known issue with F150 transmissions but that no recall had been made. She also stated that Ford did not know why it happens and that, even after being "reprogrammed", it could happen again. Based on my experience and discussions with Ford, the F150 can suddenly become inoperable and (because of the parking brake) immovable. Thankfully, the transmission error occurred for me in a safe location near my home. It could have been very dangerous had the vehicle become immovable in an unsafe location or far from home or help. I am concerned it will happen again. The vehicle is currently at the Ford dealership in Grand Ledge, MI.

Filed Apr 16, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

While driving on interstate vehicle lost all braking and steering. Numerous warning lights popped up. I almost was in a very bad accident. I was able to put transmission in manual and gear down and finally got steering back with no power and could maneuver off road. Truck then shut down and would not start again. Called Ford and not very helpful. Contacting attorney for help.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

Vehicle's engine will not start. When attempting to start, it will turn on all usual electrical components, but will immediately show an warning message to "Stop Safely Now" along with an engine light of a red outlined truck with exclamation mark. Followed by a message of accessory mode on, however the engine will not start with no access to power steering or shifting gears. Normal attempts to jump start or charge the battery will not work. All fuses and harness connections appear to be normal. After researching Ford community forums, this appears to be a common complaint in the Powerboost Hybrid 2021-2022 Ford F-150s. Extremely inconvenient as this situation has left us stranded several hours from home with no reasonable solution other than to tow to a dealership. We hope our message helps encourage Ford Motor to continue researching the issue and come with a reasonable solution for all effected.

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle will not start. Get "Stop safely now" message. It is 16 degrees outside. What if this had happened while I was out. This would be a life threatening problem. This appears to be a known issue, but Ford has not fixed it. There are hundreds of reports on various forums of the same problem.

Filed Dec 25, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · SC

The truck initiated a "Stop Safely Now" alert and would not start. I was in a very bad neighborhood at the time and feared for my personal safety. I had to get out of the vehicle, walk away for 10 minutes where the key fob wasn't in contact with the truck, then tried 3 times to start the vehicle without success. I waited another 45 minutes outside in a dark and dangerous area before I finally was able to get the vehicle to start. This is the 4th time since purchasing the vehicle in May 2023 that this has happened. I've had it back to the dealer 3x to troubleshoot but they can find nothing, they've told me that it is a known issue at Ford but they have not received a fix yet. Ford owner forums provided guidance to "let it sit and then try again 10 minutes later". This didn't work in my event and again, my personal safety was at risk.

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · KS

Sporadically the vehicle will not start. 200 miles on the 2023 powerboost and this has happened 3 times. Vehicle says pull over safely now and will not allow me to put into gear. picture of battery on dash. Vehicle always sitting in heated insulated garage. Waited a day and then it starts. Ford mechanic does not see anything wrong and cannot duplicate the issue so no fix is available.

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Electrical · GA

This horrifyingly loud rhythmic noise came out of my speakers yesterday. I have a F-150 Platinum with B&O Stereo system. My ears felt like they were bleeding and I actually experienced pain due to how loud the noise was. It happened when my truck was parked and I went to start it and the deafening noise hit. No matter what I did, turned the volume down, radio power off, turned the truck ignition off - it still made the noise. I also smelled a very strong burning smell that smelled like burning wires or transmission fluid. I have a video of it. I walked away to call Ford service and came back in about 5 minutes and the noise had stopped. When I opened the drive door, the noise started up again. I left and came back again and noise had stopped and didn't start up again. Had it towed to the dealer who said they had never heard of this before. They have it now and I sent them a link to the Ford F-150 forum and articles that are online talking about it from back in August. Extremely frustrating!!!