2015 Ford F-150 Problems
What owners have reported about the 2015 Ford F-150, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2015 Ford F-150 a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the F-150. Owners have filed 1,730 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 18 F-150 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, brakes and engine.
1,730 complaints 14 recalls, 5 fire risk 6th worst of 18 F-150 years
Top 2015 Ford F-150 problems
Transmission problems
423 complaints (25%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).
Brake problems
315 complaints (18%) name the brakes, most often the master cylinder and pedals and linkages.
Engine problems
281 complaints (16%) name the engine, most often the manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe and radiator assembly.
Electrical problems
176 complaints (10%) name the electrical system, most often the speedometer / odometer and integrated trailer brake control.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (1,080 of 1,730). The amber line is the middle value, about 50,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2015 Ford F-150 recalls
Transmission may unexpectedly downshift to second
Crash riskA loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can make the transmission suddenly drop into second gear. This can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The dealer will update the powertrain control module software at no cost to you.
Recall 26V237000 · Apr 2026Ball joint may break, affecting wheel control
Crash riskSome ball joints were installed with a misaligned dust boot and are missing an alignment hole and warning tag, so the joint may be improperly aligned. This can cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the ball joint and replace it if needed, free of charge.
Recall 21E027000 · Apr 2021Master cylinder, Power assist
5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster. A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder and inspect the brake booster, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Recall 20V332000 · Jun 2020Electrical
Fire risk5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location. The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the block heater's location and its cable, replacing components as necessary, free of charge. If the replacement parts are not available, dealers will disable the existing block heater cable from being used until parts become available.
Recall 20V098000 · Feb 2020Electrical
Fire riskDuring the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged. A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used.
Recall 19V278000 · Apr 2019Block heater cable can overheat and cause fire
Fire riskWater and contaminants can enter the block heater cable's splice connector, causing corrosion. When the heater is plugged in, the corrosion can create a resistive short that overheats and melts wiring, which can start a fire.
Fix: The dealer will disable the block heater cable free of charge now, and once parts are available, will replace the cable free of charge.
Recall 18V894000 · Dec 2018Seat belt pretensioner sparks could ignite interior
Fire riskIn a crash that triggers a front seat belt pretensioner, the sparks it produces can ignite nearby carpeting or insulation in the B-pillar area. This could start a fire inside the vehicle.
Fix: The dealer will remove the B-pillar insulation and wiring harness tape and install heat resistant tape, free of charge.
Recall 18V568000 · Aug 2018Door can open while driving
Injury riskA bent cable or a latch frozen by water can let a door pop open while the car is moving, even though it looks closed. An open door while driving raises the risk of injury.
Fix: The dealer will inspect and repair the door latch cables if needed and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge.
Recall 17V652000 · Oct 2017Rear seat belt buckle may detach
Injury riskThe left rear inflatable seat belt buckle may not be firmly attached to its mounting bracket. If it separates, a rear passenger may not be properly restrained, which raises the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the seat belt assembly and replace the attaching rivet if needed, free of charge.
Recall 17V526000 · Aug 2017Latch, Door
These accessory door handle covers may cause the doors to unlatch in a side impact collision. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components." If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
Recall 17V331000 · May 2017Anchorage
The affected vehicles may be equipped with driver or front passenger seat belt anchorage assemblies whose pretensioner cable was not properly crimped. As a result, the seat belts may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies" and 210, " Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." An occupant that is not be properly restrained is at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and/or front passenger side seat belt retractor(s) and pretensioner(s), free of charge.
Recall 15V867000 · Dec 2015Adaptive cruise may brake unexpectedly
Crash riskThe adaptive cruise control can wrongly detect an obstacle ahead and apply the brakes on its own. A sudden unexpected stop raises the risk of a crash.
Fix: The dealer will reprogram the cruise control module with updated radar software at no cost to you.
Recall 15V614000 · Sep 2015Steering shaft may separate, causing loss of control
Crash riskSome vehicles may have a steering shaft that was riveted improperly at the factory. The shaft could separate from its coupling, which would cause a loss of steering control and raise the risk of a crash.
Fix: A dealer will inspect the steering intermediate shaft and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Recall 15V279000 · May 2015Loose heat shield can melt fuel lines
Fire riskSome vehicles may have loose or missing underbody heat shields. Without them, heat from the exhaust can degrade or melt fuel or vapor lines, which raises the risk of a fire.
Fix: The dealer will inspect the underbody for missing heat shields and fasteners and install any missing parts free of charge.
Recall 15V251000 · Apr 2015Get an email when your 2015 Ford F-150 gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2015 Ford F-150, you'll hear about it the same week.
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F-150 years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2015 Ford F-150 problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2015 Ford F-150 a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the F-150. Owners have filed 1,730 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 18 F-150 model years. The most reported problems involve the transmission, brakes and engine.
What are the most common 2015 Ford F-150 problems?
Owners most often report problems with the transmission, brakes, engine and electrical system. 423 complaints (25%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).
At what mileage do 2015 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 56,000–133,000 miles, with a middle value near 89,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford F-150 have?
14. Transmission may unexpectedly downshift to second (26V237000); Ball joint may break, affecting wheel control (21E027000); Master cylinder, Power assist (20V332000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2015 Ford F-150?
Ask for service records covering the transmission, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2024 and 2009 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.