Some of the 2015 F-150’s reported issues with brake fluid leaks, electrical shorts, and doors that fly open are very concerning. But the number of dissatisfied owners is overshadowed by the pickup truck’s market dominance and reputation for reliability.
Key Points
- The 2015 Ford F-150 comes with 13 recalls, three investigations, and over 1,000 complaints, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The Ford F-150’s 3.5L EcoBoost comes with a ton of problems. The engine’s faulty design leads to a warped exhaust manifold, causing sudden loss of power and engine stalls.
- Perhaps a more pressing issue would be the brakes leaking fluid and becoming less effective, and potential fire risks caused by electrical shorts.
- Doors of the 2015 Ford F-150 can open while the vehicle is in motion. Other problems include the rear window shattering, backup camera failure, and loss of steering.
2015 Ford F-150’s Most Common Problem is Brake Fluid Leaks, Issue Reoccurs Despite Having a Recall
With 270-plus complaints on record, the most common problem in the 2015 F-150 is its brakes. In models equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines, the brake’s master cylinder has the potential to leak brake fluid into the brake booster. This results in the brakes losing power or even going out entirely.
Per the NHTSA, a loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort, and reduced front brakes. According to owners, the brake warning light comes on, and when you press the pedal, nothing happens.
A recall was issued in June 2020, but it seems like the fix isn’t all that effective. Complaints are still rolling in as late as December 2021, wherein owners report the issue recurring even after getting the parts replaced under the recall.
F-150’s 3.5L EcoBoost is Prone to Coolant Leaks, Sudden Loss of Power, Gets Three Recalls for a Potential Fire Hazard
The 3.5L has several things going against it. Many owners have experienced exhaust leaks courtesy of a faulty manifold. Upon diagnosis, the primary suspect was found to be a warped exhaust manifold. Early signs include a knocking noise coming from under the hood, a burning smell, and excessive fuel consumption.
Engine stalls, sudden loss of power, or total engine failure are also all known issues. Technicians have found multiple causes. A faulty electronic throttle body leads to the car either going into limp mode or completely stalling in the middle of the road. Malfunctioning VCT (Variable Camshaft Timing) solenoids have been found to cause engine stalls, along with idling issues. Sadly, these are out-of-the-pocket fixes as there are no official recalls on record.
The F-150’s engine-related issues don’t stop there. Over half a million Ford F-150s have been recalled for a fire hazard caused by a corroded block heater cable. Three different recalls issued in 2018, 2019, and 2020 try and address the potential fire risk.
Other reported problems include oil and coolant leaks, cylinder misfires, and faulty ignition coils. Also, owners found the transmission to lurch and shudder, along with experiencing hard and choppy gearshifts.
2015 Ford F-150 Comes with Electrical Shorts, Faulty Adaptive Cruise Control, and Glitchy Electronic Door Locks
Some of the electrical issues inside the 2015 F-150 are quite worrying. For instance, several owners have complained about the rear window shattering when the defroster is turned on. Also, the truck’s heated/cooled seats have caused burns. Turns out, a short circuit leads to the seatbacks reaching extreme temperatures, injuring second-row passengers while inducing a fire risk.
Speaking of which, numerous reports of F-150s burning down have also made their way into the NHTSA’s records. The reason has been attributed to electrical shorts but, the exact source is unknown.
Complaints about the F-150’s adaptive cruise control (ACC) failing are also available. Apparently, the truck falsely detects an obstacle and unexpectedly applies the brakes.
Owners claim the F-150’s doors would unexpectedly lock and unlock while in motion. Also, instances of the key fob not responding and owners having to manually lock and unlock are not uncommon either. Other less worrying issues are backup cameras failing and the speedometer freezing, showing an incorrect reading.
2015 F-150 has Doors that Fly Open and Other Structural Issues, Led to Class-action Lawsuit
Complaints about the doors and tailgate flying open are also available on record. One particular owner decided to sue Ford with a class-action lawsuit. Per the plaintiff, when the temperature fell below freezing, the doors would not latch, the handles failed to move, and the locks would not open. The court ruled out Ford’s motion to dismiss, citing the company knew about it beforehand. Later on, they acknowledged the problem and issued three separate recalls.
Additionally, the NHTSA has a recall against the F-150’s steering. Affected vehicles may find the intermediate shaft to be improperly riveted. As a result, it could separate from the flex coupling, leading to a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Despite a Few Problems, the 2015 Ford F-150 is a Reliable Pickup Worth Considering
The F-150 is one of, if not the best full-size pickup currently available. Ford sold nearly a million F-150s in 2015, which means the thousand or-so NHTSA complaints equate to roughly one per thousand F-150s sold. With that statistic, it’s easy to conclude that the majority of the F-150s are fairly reliable. But there’s no denying the severity of whatever problems do exist. So, if you’re buying one, it’d be a good idea to keep these in mind.
Photos: Ford
