Ford F-150 Problems: 15 Issues Every Owner Should Know

1997-2023 model years · 13,387+ owner reports · Updated April 2026

According to Au7o's analysis of 13,387+ owner reports, the 1997-2023 Ford F-150 has 15 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Spark Plug Thread Blowout ($150-$500 repair), Brake Line, Hose, and Hydraulic Component Failure ($300-$1,500 repair), Brake Vacuum Pump Failure (EcoBoost) ($300-$800 repair), Fuel Pump Driver Module Corrosion and No-Start/Stall ($150-$450 repair), Severe Frame Rust and Rear Frame/Leaf Spring Shackle Corrosion ($500-$6,000 repair), Throttle Body / Electronic Throttle Stalling and Hesitation ($150-$700 repair), Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Fire Risk and Driver Airbag Clockspring / Airbag Warning and Non-Deployment ($250-$900 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 10-Speed Transmission Shudder/Harsh Shifts with 2,800 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

All 15 Known Issues

Filter:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Ford F-150 problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 13,387+ owner reports, the 1997-2023 Ford F-150 has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Spark Plug Thread Blowout, Brake Line, Hose, and Hydraulic Component Failure, Brake Vacuum Pump Failure (EcoBoost). Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Ford F-150 reliable?

The 1997-2023 Ford F-150 has 15 known issues documented across 13,387+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Spark Plug Thread Blowout and Brake Line, Hose, and Hydraulic Component Failure and Brake Vacuum Pump Failure (EcoBoost) and Fuel Pump Driver Module Corrosion and No-Start/Stall and Severe Frame Rust and Rear Frame/Leaf Spring Shackle Corrosion and Throttle Body / Electronic Throttle Stalling and Hesitation and Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Fire Risk and Driver Airbag Clockspring / Airbag Warning and Non-Deployment. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Ford F-150 problems?

Repair costs for known Ford F-150 issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Spark Plug Thread Blowout, typically costs $150-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Ford F-150 is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Ford F-150. Based on owner reports, issues are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1997-2023 Ford F-150 with 15 documented issues from 13,387+ owner reports.