Ford F-150 engine failure problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine · KY

I own a 2018 Ford truck with 77,000 miles. My truck has just experienced the widely recognized cam phaser failure—a known design defect that can cause a catastrophic engine failure to occur. Because this is a known manufacturing defect that Ford addressed with updated parts, TSB 23-2143 (or TSB 21-2119): These are the official internal Technical Service Bulletins that explicitly instruct Ford technicians on how to diagnose and repair the "cold start ticking/tapping or rattle type noise" on 2017–2020 F-150s with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. It confirms the root cause is a worn Variable Cam Timing (VCT) unit and outlines the procedure to replace all four phasers. [1, 2] Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03: While the prorated financial assistance under this program expired in January 2023, the document itself remains critical. It serves as corporate documentation where Ford explicitly acknowledges a manufacturing/design flaw in the original cam phasers. Ford refuses to replace or reimburse this repair for any vehicle that is out of warranty. This is a known safety issue acknowledged by Ford and it should be addressed as a safety concern and recalled.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Visibility · MI

My wipers stopped working, the wiper linkage is seized. Ford is stating because the vehicle was made and [XXX] but resides in the [XXX], I don’t qualify for the recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · MI

I had an oil change performed earlier in the day. Drove 90 miles on the oil change when I lost complete oil pressure and than had my engine lock up. After the truck was towed back to the dealership and some surface investigation was done they told me it would be 2K to take the oil pan off to get a definitive answer to the issue. For them the only fix was replacing the entire engine at 14k. They believed it was just bad luck timing the occurrence of the loss of oil pressure and engine failure. The event happened with 135,556 miles on the vehicle. At 122,000 miles I had my drive shaft detach on the expressway. At the time I was still under extended warranty on the truck. The fix for that was a new drive shaft and to replace the rear axle. The issue I have is believing that 2 catastrophic events on the vehicle would occur within 12k miles and the three events not being connected. The manufacture wasn’t able to provide me with any answers as to what failed or why making it incredibly difficult to make a huge financial decision on what to do. I struggle with a vehicle that has that low of mileage would just completely implode and be undrivesble.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Engine · SC

**Subject: Potential Engine Oil Pan Seal Defect — 2019 Ford F-150 2.7L EcoBoost — Ford TSB 19-2189** I am submitting this complaint regarding an engine oil pan seal leak on my 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle has approximately 172,000 miles. A mechanic has identified an oil pan seal leak. The vehicle is actively dripping oil, and I have observed a drop in the engine oil level. The leak has not yet been repaired. I have contacted Ford regarding the issue. My vehicle's reported build date falls within the production period addressed by Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-2189, dated August 6, 2019. That bulletin states that certain 2018–2019 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost engine and built on or before May 21, 2019, may develop an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal. Ford's specified corrective procedure involves replacing the oil pan with one equipped with a press-in-place gasket. The similarity between the condition described in this bulletin and the leak on my vehicle raises concern that this may be a known design, sealing, or durability issue affecting multiple vehicles. An ongoing engine oil leak can require repeated oil replenishment and may lead to insufficient engine lubrication if the oil level falls too low. Depending on the severity and circumstances, an oil leak may also create additional hazards. I have observed oil dripping and a reduced oil level, but I am not claiming that my vehicle has experienced engine failure, a crash, a fire, or loss of control. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this reported condition and determine whether the oil pan seal issue described in TSB 19-2189 represents a safety-related defect warranting further investigation or a recall. I also request that the federal safety agency evaluate whether the existing repair guidance adequately addresses the underlying problem and whether affected owners should receive a safety-related remedy.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Engine · OH

The VVT Cam Phasers had a " consumer satisfaction program" that didnt include my VIN but included the year which was 2017-2021 3.5 ECOBOOST engine that mine has. The program has now expired and my truck has this exact issue. Not fixing the issue can cause engine failure. My truck has 47k miles on it. I called Ford back in XXX to file a compliant and nothing happened. I took my truck to Germain Ford in [XXX] to get a diagnostic done October 5,2026 and they said it was the VVT cam phasers. I called Ford XXX again about the issue and they said my VIN wasn't included and there was nothing they could do. This is absolutely absurd they are ignoring an ongoing issue and they refuse to do anything about this. I will continue to fight until something is done. This repair is costing me $4400. This is where you can help. Please make them do the right thing and reimburse me and I'm sure so many others their money. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Transmission · 120,053 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2025 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the vehicle came to a complete stop, the front driver-side door was opened, and the transmission independently shifted to Park (P). The transmission then seized. The contact disconnected the battery to reset the computer, which required several hours. The vehicle was restarted, and the transmission was able to shift out of Park (P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the gear shift module needed to be replaced, but the part was on back order. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 26-2294 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,053.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine · OH

The VVT Cam Phasers had a " consumer satisfaction program" that didnt include my VIN but included the year which was 2017-2021 3.5 ECOBOOST engine that mine has. The program has now expired and my truck has this exact issue. Not fixing the issue can cause engine failure. My truck has 47k miles on it. I called Ford back in April 2026 to file a compliant and nothing happened. I took my truck to Germain Ford in Beavercreek, Ohio to get a diagnostic done [XXX] and they said it was the VVT cam phasers. I called Ford 10/7/2026 again about the issue and they said my VIN wasn't included and there was nothing they could do. This is absolutely absurd they are ignoring an on going issue and they refuse to do anything about this.I will continue to fight until something is done.This repair is costing me $4400. This is where you can help. Please make them do the right thing and reimburse me and I'm sure so many others their money. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · NJ

My truck has the 3.5 ecoBoost twin turbo engine with the known cam phaser problem. Ford dealership replaced cam phasers 4 years ago and told they were putting in new designed cam phasers to prevent this from happening again. Last week, I changed the v v t cylinder because of a p0018 code, and found that the replacement was the old cam phasers prone to break again. Truck is just now out of warranty. And ford is doing nothing to help. Drivability is not the same has hesitation. So far, and I'm sure it's going to get worse. Check engine light just went on last week. This truck is at dealership now. My biggest problem with this situation is Ford. Dealer lied said they put in new cam phasers, which they put in old ones. I would have got an extended warranty if I knew they were the old cam phaser. Now, I will be out 3 to 5 thousand dollars because ford dealership lied to me. I have all paperwork. Service reports everything on the truck. The truck was babied. There's no reason why in 70000 miles catastrophic engine failure twice. Fixing the problem with the same problem. Parts is not a fix. It's a bandade until warranties are over. And let the people deal with it.

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Transmission · 163,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted with an abnormal sound. The transmission seized in fifth gear and failed to shift as needed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed turbine speed sensor and internal lead frame failure. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was 163,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

2018 Ford F-150 Limited with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. At approximately 60,000 miles the engine began making a rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting several seconds. Over the last three months the noise has become progressively worse and now occurs at every cold start and lasts longer. The check engine light is currently illuminated. The vehicle has not stalled or lost power. A Ford dealer (Wynne Ford, Hampton, VA) diagnosed the condition on September 24, 2026 at 104,661 miles as cam phaser failure, requiring replacement of the variable camshaft timing (VCT) units and associated timing components. This matches Ford's Technical Service Bulletin 23-2143, which covers 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine built on or before November 30, 2019. Ford previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 and warranty extension 21N03 for this same defect on March 2, 2021, but 21N03 expressly excluded the F-150 Limited trim, and both programs have since expired. The dealer additionally reported that it has submitted multiple other cam phaser repairs on 2017-2020 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles for manufacturer assistance in the past two months, including vehicles newer and with lower mileage than mine, and that all were denied. The quoted repair is $5,414.11 at my expense. I am filing this report because cam phaser failure in these engines can progress to timing chain damage and engine failure, and because Ford has documented this defect since at least 2021 without issuing a recall. I contacted Ford (case CXH-09424982) and was denied any financial assistance.