Electrical, engine, headlights and transmission issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2019 Ford F-150 is part of America’s best-selling lineup. Even this particular model is labeled as being “a tough performance to follow,” yet many Ford fans are switching brands after driving this truck. It suffers from a shoddy electrical system, defective transmission, poorly built structure, malfunctioning engine and dangerous exterior lighting.
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When a truck’s electrical system fails to work as it’s designed, owners can be left stranded on the side of the road.
That’s precisely what happened to this Edmunds user. “Bought 2019 Ford F-150 had it 5 day got in to start it put key in & screen reads turn ignition off. Couldn’t start couldn’t do anything after waiting all day for roadside assistance called dealership they had to flatbed truck back to dealership. It has been there ever since. In deep sleep mode they don’t have a clue what’s wrong! Brand new truck &I’m left with no answers & a loaner that is way too small for me I’m looking for anyone that has either had the same issues or knows anything about this issue because they sure don’t. I should’ve bought a Chevy.”
It turns out that there is also an electrical system-related recall. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V805000 states that the fastener, which secures the Power Distribution Box and Battery Monitoring System might have loosened on over 135,000 trucks. The problem could be related to excessive sealant adhesive and might lead to a stalling engine. There’s also a chance of a truck fire if there is a resistive short. Sadly, many truck owners won’t be disappointed if the pickup burns up and is never seen again.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Structure:body | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Air Bags |
The automaker claims that this particular truck is the most capable made, which means it should be equipped with a durable and powerful engine. However, that’s not what users think.
One NHTSA complaint states, “Engine stalled while I was driving in a residential area. The auto/start was disabled at the time. I slowed down to let a car turn left into a driveway and went to accelerate and had zero power, engine was off. There was a message on the dashboard to shift into Park and restart vehicle.”
It shouldn’t surprise anyone to find out that there is another recall that’s engine-related. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V278000 states that over 130,000 trucks might have an engine block heater that was previously repaired during another recall, but the splice connector could have become damaged during that repair. This damaged cable creates a resistive short, which increases the chance of melted wiring, overheating and engine fire. At this point, it would appear that the F-150 is trying to blow itself up.
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The main component of a powertrain is the transmission. Drivers can’t find the reliability and durability they need from this transmission.
Read another Edmunds review, “Just got my factory ordered F150 with the 10 speed transmission. Total POS. It jumps back and forth when shifting, it feels like you are driving in OD at low speed where it bumps back and forth from OD to drive. I waited 2 1/2 months for this truck to arrive. I have driven it less than 50 miles and already having terrible shifting problem. I ordered it with the 5.0 coyote and 10 SPD trans. I had no choice. I will never own another FORD. Total disgrace!!!”
The transmission is one of the most complained about components on this truck. Even the automaker issued a statement through Service Bulletin #TSB 19-2358 that states the truck can make a rattling and metallic grinding sound from the bellhousing area, during some operating conditions. The problem stems from the torque converter studs making contact with the engine to transmission spacer plate. This plate needs to be replaced in order to cease making sounds. Until that happens, the annoying sounds serve as a reminder to owners about the level of quality Ford put into this truck.
It isn’t cheap to own most models of the 2019 Ford F-150. For the amount of money spent, one would assume that the structure would be well-built, but it’s not.
Here is one more Edmunds review. “I’ve been through four F150s though the years and just trade my 5 month old 2019 King Ranch for a Ram Laramie quad cab night edition. I was a diehard Ford fan. The KR was the worst Ford I’ve ever purchased. I had numerous paint flaws, debris, drips and the final straw was the start of the roof paint bubbling off. Ford and my dealer repainted a third of my vehicle twice assuring me a factory finish. Unfortunately it was Ruby Red mettalic and never matched. I escalated to Ford and the dealer even documented 14 pages of paint flaws and all I got was we will repaint it again. The dealer told me to fix it right the whole truck would need repainted. Ford wouldn’t budge on a new vehicle and asked me to give them another $7200 if I wanted another KR. I drove my first Ram on Monday and was hooked. May never buy another Ford.”
Again, there is a recall that shows the level of quality put into the structure. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V633000 states that the seat back in some trucks might have reduced strength, leaving occupants at risk during an accident. This recall affects more than 639,000 vehicles and requires replacement. Considering how dangerous this truck has already proven to be, it makes complete sense that the seats weren’t built correctly either. After all, what do the seats matter when the truck is going down in a fiery blaze.
The Ford F-150 is designed to get the job done, which requires effective lighting while driving at night. However, this is another common complaint among drivers.
Here is a complaint left with the NHTSA. “The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. While driving at various speeds at night, the headlights failed to produce adequate light. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to [dealer] where it was diagnosed that a light adjustment was needed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 3,000.”
Surprise! There’s another recall dealing with lighting issues. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V097000 says that the daytime running lights may not dim properly, thereby reducing the visibility of other drivers and leading to an accident. Again, this situation affects a lot of trucks; over 166,000. It gives new meaning to the term “blinded by the light.” In this instance, it’s better to be behind the truck than in front of it. Maybe that’s where the tagline “a tough performance to follow” came from, hoping that people would stay away from the front of the F-150 and follow it instead.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Ford pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I bought my 2019 Ford 150 two-door pickup brand new. I have taken it to the dealership several times. Rough idle where’s my first concern. I have never in the 4 years I’ve owned it had a engine warning light show up on the dash. The second time and third was for diagnosis of the rough idle problem and they put a computer on it to read out for problems. Nothing showed up. Next time they finally gave it to a mechanic and he said it was a cam sensor, I think? Anyway they tore into the motor and replace something and that helped for a while. Continue to have rough idling. Dash lights dim on and off. Shifting in town seems to be rough. It doesn’t know which gear it needs to be in. After a few more visits of bring it in and let us look at it. I said in the waiting room and watch my truck idle for several hours at a time with nobody checking it or no computer hooked up to it to see the any problems. I was told if there is not a warning light they couldn’t do anything. So I just drive it. I know the experiences I’ve had with this brand new 2019 Ford pickup is not right. It won’t be because they won’t look at it. As I said before it never has had a warning lot ever!! So I can’t even take it back to the dealership. I wanted to trade it in. But about the time I was completely Fed up and really wanted to trade Toyota decided to raise their price on the Tacoma 7 to 10,000 which shot me out of the saddle for buying a new pickup. So I’m stuck!
While towing with my F-150 there is a wobble for a few seconds. Disappointing!
Husband and I purchased a used 2019 f150 at the end of 2019 … it has been in the shop again and again for the same problems … horrible shifting, idling rough, rpm’s shooting up and it’s died more times then we can count while on the road, on top of that the screen and radio choose when it feels like working and it burns oil causing smoke at times … the last time I got it maintained they said they saw no oil leak and sent me on my way… at this time it is back in the shop with the check engine light on throwing the camshaft sensor code (the camshaft sensor has been replaced multiple times now) and I’m afraid to drive it with my kids because idk when it will decide to just stop running or might catch on fire with the burning oil…. We still are paying for this vehicle and it’s spent more time in the shop then any used car I have ever owned… says the truck by vin has no current recalls but hits all the recall check marks for the year with other vins that are included… I’m about to throw it in the trash .. it’s not even at 100k miles yet.
Bought a 2019 F-150 in Aug 2019 and tried towing a 8,000 trailer, truck rated at 10,000. If I go over 55 mph, the trailer sway is uncontrollable, tried better tires, better trailer hitch, nothing helps, cant wait to trade but no trucks available now.
2019 F-150 28000 miles paint chipping electronics going crazy
I have a 2018 f150 lariat fx4 3.5. Gone through hell with for 3 catylatic converters, 2 fuel injectors replaced 2 turbos to get rid of knocking noise at 12000. Engine is knocking very loud dealer tells me they don’t know what it is. I told them I am not picking truck up till repaired. Ford representative orders dealer to rip my motor apart . They replaced short block. Now truck jerks loss of power can’t find gear and when the auto stop goes on my steering freezes. I asked Ford when do I get to enjoy a new vehicle specially when I paid 80 thousand. They did nothing for me brushed me off and don’t care that dealer charges me 100 dollars every time there is an issue. Ford knows there trucks are horrible and don’t care that they took your hard earned money excuse after excuse. Don’t buy a Ford worst mistake I have ever made in my life. Love the new GMC elavation !!!
My 2019 F-150 is currently in the shop. Again. The engine has been torn down to replace bad solenoids at 40,000 miles. Warranty covered that part but I had to pay $100 for new window motor. Now at 50,000 miles there’s a noise when accelerating. Shop says 2 cylinders are misfiring and I will have to pay $276 for that work. Waiting for phone call right now to see if the problem is fixed.
2019 f150. Bought new. Second week was in the shop to get a door hinge replaced. Fourth week moonroof leaked and flooded interior with water. Had water pouring out of the dash and puddling in the floor. The dealer implied that it was my fault because I was not keeping it parked in a garage. After this the electronics went crazy. Early collision alert system would activate with nothing on the road in front of the truck. Backup warning system would beep with nothing behind the truck. Pro trailer backup assist system would activate with no trailer attached. When a trailer was hooked up the truck was continuously cycling through warnings. It would tell me the trailer was disconnected while driving down the road towing a trailer. It would tell me there was a left turn lamp fault. Then a right turn lamp fault. Then a trailer lighting module fault. It would constantly cycle through all of this. I checked the lights on my trailer and they all function normally. Three different dealerships. The last time for a week. After five and a half months and 7800 miles it was traded for a Chevy. Iam 57. I have owned 9 trucks. 1 Dodge, 7 Fords and now my first Chevy. Several letters and phone calls to Ford and they just talk in circles and act like they don’t care. My wife has a 2019 Edge Titanium with electrical issues. It has been to 3 different dealers also with no fix. Get the same response out of Ford about her vehicle. Will not be any more Ford products purchased by me.
I bought may 19 F150 Plat with 26000 miles on it I have owned it a total of 47 days and it has been in 2 ford shops for 39 of them and is still there . 3 same problems wont steer to center pulls to right blue tooth doesn’t work right and 12 volt keeps blowing . Made a case with ford all they keep telling me is there working omg it
Purchased 2019 f150 on 6-21-19. Have had it in the dealership 3 times for the same Electrical issue. The Apple play stops working on syncs. They tell me each time it somehow deletes itself and they have to have FORD send a patch download to the technician. Very frustrating to keep driving back and forth to the dealer and drag home a loaner every time.
I purchased a new 2019 ford f150 on 10-15-19, since buying the vehicle, I’ve returned it a total of 4 times to the dealership for the same reason of losing power on the highway. My vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of 30 calender days.