2024 Ford F-150: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the exterior lights, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024- Owner complaints
- 146
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 13
- 10 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2024 Ford F-150: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which F-150 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Ford F-150. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 20–21 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg |
| 5.0L 8-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 19 mpg |
| 5.2L 8-cylGas | 4WD | 12 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cylHybrid | 4WD | 23 mpg |
- The 2024 Ford F-150 was sold in five versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A F-150 that averages well under the EPA 12 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Early drivetrain and engine faults
700–900 miles
Reduced-power drivetrain warnings
767–9,700 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Ford F-150, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Exterior lights453 crashes
Glare from the LED headlights is the complaint here, and nearly all of it comes from other drivers, not owners. People describe being blinded by oncoming trucks, unable to use their mirrors when one follows, and mistaking low beams for high beams. Brightness and mounting height are the usual targets, and hills, curves, and glare off eyeglasses make it worse. Three filings are marked crash-related, with drivers reporting near misses, stopping in the road, or drifting onto the shoulder. None describe a lighting part failing on the truck itself.
Transmission263 crashes
Rear axle bolts that can break, especially while towing, drive most of these filings. A safety recall covers the problem, but many owners report months of waiting because the part is on back order, and one was told it may not arrive until late 2026. One towing crash ended with the truck on its roof. Other reports describe the 10R80 transmission shifting hard, delaying, or skipping second gear between 25 and 37 mph, then lunging forward. Reduced-power warnings show up on trucks with as little as 767 miles, and one truck rolled after being shifted into Park.
Electrical24No crashes
The digital instrument cluster going black is the dominant fault. Screens flicker off for a split second or stay dark from 5 seconds to a minute, sometimes at startup with a warning chime, leaving the driver without a speedometer. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, and some owners clear it temporarily by reconnecting the battery. One infotainment screen went permanently black at about 50,000 miles. Other reports cover an oil life monitor that drops to 0% in under 1,000 miles, camera system failures, and a shifter stuck in Neutral that would not return to Park.
Engine101 crash
Stalling at stops and rough running make up most of these filings. Engines die at red lights, sometimes taking several tries to restart or restarting only after about 10 minutes, and dealers often find no codes. Trucks with the 3.5 EcoBoost are described as surging or hesitating after a cold start and idling roughly enough to feel through the seat and steering wheel. One new truck misfired with white smoke and a loud rattle at 700 miles. A single crash report, with 2 injuries, describes the engine stuck at full throttle.
Recall repairs that cannot be completed make up most of these reports. Owners received notices for campaigns 24V851000 and 25V198000, then learned the parts were on back order with no repair date. Most say the truck has not failed yet, though one reports oil leaking onto the driveway, a low oil pressure warning, and trouble shifting out of Park. A separate complaint describes vibration and hesitation at 70 mph, traced to damage in 4 of the 6 cylinders, with a buyback request denied.
Brakes83 crashes
Sudden loss of braking and unwanted brake activation both appear. Pedals sink to the floor, or ABS, traction control, and pre-collision warnings light up together as braking control fades, and three filings are tied to crashes. Dealers replaced the electronic brake booster in more than one case, once alongside a loose battery and a grounding fault. Other owners report the emergency or parking brake engaging on its own, usually at low speed or parked, and repeated "Brake System Failure" or "Parking Brake Failure" messages that a software update did not cure.
Acceleration and cruise control51 crash
Unintended acceleration is the main concern, including a crash from a near stop that injured 2 people. Reports describe the truck surging in parking lots or in reverse, an accelerator pedal that stays down until lifted by foot, and a hybrid speeding up from 45 to 85 mph while the brake was pressed, with a "Brake Reduction" message. A separate complaint targets the adaptive cruise control's turn detection, which slows for curve warning signs and then accelerates hard back to the set speed.
Fuel system2No crashes
Fire under the hood is the most serious report here. A brand-new truck with 12 miles started smoking after a short drive and was quickly engulfed. The other filing involves a hybrid under 3,000 miles with a recurring check-engine warning pointing to the fuel tank or lines. The dealer had to drop the tank and replaced a leaking fuel vapor vent valve. With only two complaints on file, no broad pattern is visible yet.
Lane keeping21 crash
Driver-assist systems misbehave in both directions here. One crash report says collision avoidance did not detect a deer striking the side of the truck and gave no alert or braking. Another describes a false collision warning in heavy rain that braked the truck, shifted the transmission into Park at about 15 mph, and shut the engine off. The truck then stayed stuck in Park in its travel lane, and the horn sounded on restart. Neither report involves lane-keeping steering itself.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints F-150 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
These lights are TOO bright! Outlaw them before MF like me just simply start breaking or shooting them out. Get off your ass government, you're allowing automakers to cause uneeded accidents.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
The headlights on this truck are fogging up every time it rains. Ford says it’s “normal”. Fogging of headlights seems like a no brainer safety issue. These are LED headlights so the lights don’t get warm/don’t reduce fogging with heat. Fords technical service bulletin says this is acceptable fogging. I know of no other vehicle that has fogging headlights. This is a known issue for 2024/2025 Ford F150.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
Only while towing trailers (ours were under 3500 lbs) the vehicle stutters and shakes that replicates transmission shifting or brakes surging on and off. Tried towing another trailer and it reacted the same way. Neither trailer have electrical brakes and were both connected to a four flat wiring. Most vibrations were above 45mph.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Undetermined what part failed I believe maybe an update. The truck lost all power and began to shift to neutral position at 40 mph on the highway. I was forced to get on the axis road. At 5mph the truck shifted violently to park. Dealership is working on it. The event was recorded on video and pictures. Wrench light showing
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Every day at random when I drive to work I notice in what seems milliseconds that the digital gauge cluster screen will shut off and back on almost instantly, but slow enough that I notice it. It is always random and I have no way of replicating it. I noticed it after about 2,000 miles on this brand new truck.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
In efforts to fix my vehicle for engine engineers have reset the odometer on my vehicle by over 1000 miles breaking federal law. They do not know how or why it happened and are not providing any explanations or follow ups.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Upon acceleration to highway speeds, the vehicle motor bogged down and started to shake the engine bay. White smoke started coming out of the exhaust and a very prominent rattle came from engine bay which did not subside. Fordpass detected an engine misfire, but I believe its a component of the turbo that may have blown. Truck has 700 miles on it. Ford is still diagnosing the vehicle to date.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
The truck went full throttle on its own hitting another vehicle with injures. Had to turn the truck to stop the engine stuck in full throttle.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
How the 2024 compares with other F-150 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 F-150 years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Exterior lights4519
- Transmission26284
- Electrical2483
- Engine1096
- Brakes824
- Acceleration and cruise control53
Where the 2024 fits in the F-150's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2024 is the fourth model year of the F-150's 14th generation (2021 on).
Recalls to confirm (9)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V512000TransmissionAug 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
Risk: Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. This is a phased recall. Ford owners will receive letters in multiple phases, beginning August 2025 through Winter 2025. Phase 1 will include 2023 F-150 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include 2025 F-150 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 F-150 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 22, 2025. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S82. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V896.
25V315000Backup cameraMay 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
25V198000EngineMar 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S30.
25V164000TransmissionMar 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
25V022000SteeringJan 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have been assembled with an incorrect rack, which can cause the gears to fracture.
Risk: A fractured steering gear can cause the steering to bind or lock, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 19, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S04.
24V851000EngineDec 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S70.
24V852000EquipmentNov 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
24V486000Wipers and visibilityJun 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting.".
Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C20.
24V329000SteeringMay 2024
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering column lower shaft may have been secured to the steering gear assembly with an incorrect fastener, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S32.
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