NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 1,719 owner complaints for the 2015 Ford F-150. It has 1 open investigation that names this model year, not counting audit queries.
Recalled components: engine, seat belts, latches, locks and linkages, body structure, and 4 more. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (167 complaints, 10%). Most-reported area: powertrain (413 complaints, 24%; median mileage when it happened: 83,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical F-150 year
The 2015 drew 359 owner complaints in its first three years, against 388 for a typical F-150 year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
No F-150 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Best year
Excludes the electric F-150 Lightning.
13 safety recalls for the 2015 Ford F-150
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
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. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S08.
13,854 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2016F-150pick-up trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines and block immersion heaters that were potentially relocated from their originally installed location.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Engine; Equipment: electrical. Ford campaign 20S08.
Risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S11.
131,068 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Engine; Equipment: electrical. Ford campaign 19S11.
Risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S45.
410,289 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater.
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S27.
1,619,112 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Seat belts: pretensioner; Body structure: body, roof and pillars. Ford campaign 18S27.
Risk: If the left rear inflatable seat belt buckle separates from it's mounting bracket, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The left rear inflatable seat belt buckle assembly may be inadequately attached to its mounting bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assembly, replacing the attaching rivet as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed October 18, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17C12.
Fails federal standard 210 (seat belt anchorages) · 117,423 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150, and 2017 F-250 and F-350 trucks equipped with a crew cab.
Risk: An occupant that is not be properly restrained is at an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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. The recall began on February 12, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C17.
Fails federal standard 209 (seat belt assemblies) · 2,590 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCrew trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 17, 2015.
Risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.
1,101,107 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks.
Risk: If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the accessory covers and refund the purchase price. The recall began July 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 17C09.
Fails federal standard 206 (door locks and retention) · 14,410 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150, and 2017 F-250,F-350,F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Ford dealer.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Latches, locks and linkages: doors, latch; Body structure: body, door. Ford campaign 17C09.
Risk: A missing underbody heat shield can lead to degradation or melting of the fuel or vapor lines, increasing the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles may have loose or missing underbody heat shields.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing underbody heat shields and fasteners, and will install the missing components as required, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S12.
73 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles manufactured January 30, 2015, to January 31, 2015.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster.
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. Ford issued owners an interim notification on June 30, 2020. The recall began on October 28, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S31.
292,311 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Brakes: foundation components, master cylinder; Brakes: power assist. Ford campaign 20S31.
Risk: A vehicle that unexpectedly brakes increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
While using the Adaptive Cruise Control, the vehicle may falsely detect an obstacle in its path and may unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the cruise control module with updated ACC radar software, free of charge. The recall began on October 25, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S29.
33,481 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 18, 2014, to August 6, 2015 and equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.
1,392,935 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017F-150 vehicles.
Risk: If the intermediate shaft was improperly riveted, it could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S17.
8,963 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Ford campaign 15S17.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Suspension: front, control arm, upper ball joint (Tenneco Automotive, 21E-027).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2015 Ford F-150, not counting audit queries; 1 is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up
Engineering analysis EA26001Open since Jan 30, 2026
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY)… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 26V-237, listed above.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Powertrain (automatic transmission, control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)).
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up
Preliminary evaluation PE25002Closed Jan 30, 2026 (opened Mar 21, 2025)
On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY)… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Powertrain (automatic transmission, control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)).
On June 8, 2020, Ford Motor Company issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-332) of 292,311 model year (MY) 2014-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines and built from 9/1/2014 to 8/1/2016.
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 20V-332, listed above.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Brakes (fluid, foundation components, master cylinder).
Seatbelt pretensioner fire
Preliminary evaluation PE18008Closed Dec 17, 2018 (opened Aug 3, 2018)
On June 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-008) to investigate complaints alleging post-crash fires at the B pillar in the area of the seat belt pretensioners on MY… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 18V-568, listed above.
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 1,719 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 F-150. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Loss of power or limp mode167 · 10%
Median 59,100 miles at failure, from 94 reports with mileage
Brake failure or a soft or hard pedal135 · 8%
Median 52,000 miles at failure, from 124 reports with mileage
Check engine light103 · 6%
Median 90,000 miles at failure, from 59 reports with mileage
Door lock or latch problems100 · 6%
Median 20,500 miles at failure, from 76 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off77 · 4%
Median 54,000 miles at failure, from 53 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration75 · 4%
Median 49,000 miles at failure, from 51 reports with mileage
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting61 · 4%
Median 75,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Transmission failure or replacement48 · 3%
Median 105,000 miles at failure, from 24 reports with mileage
Most named: automatic transmission (3) · Median 83,000 miles at failure, from 157 reports with mileage
Brakes314 · 18%
Most named: foundation components, master cylinder (3) · Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 271 reports with mileage
Engine264 · 15%
Median 62,200 miles at failure, from 146 reports with mileage
Electrical system174 · 10%
Most named: instrument panel, speedometer/odometer (5) · Median 51,800 miles at failure, from 90 reports with mileage
Body structure147 · 9%
Most named: body (127); body, door (4) · Median 27,500 miles at failure, from 118 reports with mileage
Speed control145 · 8%
Most named: cruise control (3) · Median 44,000 miles at failure, from 99 reports with mileage
Steering83 · 5%
Median 37,600 miles at failure, from 58 reports with mileage
Unknown or other204 · 12%
Median 39,100 miles at failure, from 91 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford F-150 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2015 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 F-150 drew the most (501) and the 2015 drew 359.
Owner complaints
2015: 1,719 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Complaints
2010
843
2011
2,190
2012
1,782
2013
2,982
2014
1,533
2015
1,719
2016
2,059
2017
1,442
2018
2,311
2019
1,329
2020
730
2021
1,277
2022
806
2023
503
2024
225
2025
125
2026
15
Safety recalls
2015: 13 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
4
2013
3
2014
8
2015
13
2016
13
2017
17
2018
18
2019
9
2020
11
2021
29
2022
23
2023
13
2024
11
2025
15
2026
5
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 1,719 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Ford F-150, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (167), brake failure or a soft or hard pedal (135), and the check engine light coming on (103). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2015 Ford F-150 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2015 Ford F-150 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2015 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2015 Ford F-150, not counting audit queries: unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up (EA26001, opened Jan 30, 2026). It has closed 3 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my F-150 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: F-150.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.