If you’re one of the millions of Americans who purchased one of the 5.1 million 13th generations Ford F-150s, you may be experiencing one or more of the following issues. We we scoured forums and news articles to uncover the most common problems this generation F-150 is known to have.
Below we explain specific 13th generation F-150 known issues, offer an estimate on how much a mechanic might charge to make the repair, and provide videos on the topics.
1. Transmission
Ford’s 10-speed transmission in its 13th generation F-150 is causing some drivers no end of trouble. Drivers are reporting that their trucks are shifting roughly, jerking, slipping out of gear, and even lurching forward unexpectedly. It’s happening in several Ford models, such as the F-150, Mustang, Expedition, Ranger, and Lincoln Navigator. Some owners have filed official complaints, and lawyers are looking into the possibility of a class action suit. Ford knows about the issues and has given some instruction to mechanics on how to fix them, but they don’t plan to redesign how the transmission functions.
Est. Cost to Repair: Transmission repair is free under warranty or TSB, but costs $6,000–$8,500 if paid out-of-pocket.
2. Cam Phaser Rattle
The cam phaser rattle is a noise that some previous generation F-150 trucks make when they start up. It’s caused by a worn part in the engine but doesn’t cause any damage to the engine or to the performance of your truck. It’s kind of like a squeaky door hinge; annoying but not damaging. Although the noise is annoying, the fix is quite expensive and isn’t justified unless it really bothers you.
Est. Cost to Repair: Cam phaser repair may be covered under extended warranty; without it, expect $800–$5,300 at a shop.
3. Door Latch Freezing
Some of the 2015 to 2017 model F-150s contain a defect whereby the door latches will not function in cold weather. To repair, the door panels must be removed, the latch cables checked, and the latch cables must be replaced if they are cracked. The door latches must be removed, dried out, and replaced. A rain shield must be inserted into the door latch brackets, the latch assembly lubricated, the latches replaced, the door panels reinstalled, and the defect will be resolved.
Est. Cost to Repair: Frozen door latch fixes were recalled for 2015 through 2017 trucks, but cost $250 to $450 per door if not covered.
4. Faulty Window Regulators
Occasionally, the window on a 13th generation Ford F-150 will not go down or up. There are several reasons why this may be happening. It could be because the system that provides power to the window, such as a fuse or relay, is not functioning properly. Another possibility is that the motor that powers the movement of the window is faulty. Finally, the component that regulates the movement of the window, known as the window regulator, could be worn or damaged.
Est. Cost to Repair: Faulty window regulator replacement costs about $250 to $450 per window if not under warranty.
5. Brake Master Cylinder Leaks
Between the years 2013 and 2019, some Ford F-150 vehicles had brake faults, as did the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator SUVs from the years 2015 to 2019. The problem was that the master cylinder, the main brake component, had brittle seals that would crack. When this occurred, the brake fluid would leak out and would make the fronts of the vehicles brake less while the rears would brake more. The vehicle would take longer to stop or would fail to stop. While Ford recalled some of the vehicles, they would only recall some of the vehicles that had a particular engine. Some other vehicles had the same brake defect, yet they didn’t receive the recall. Additionally, Ford used the brake component in their SUVs during the 2015 model year, yet didn’t recall them until five years later, even though they knew the brakes were defective.
Est. Cost to Repair: Brake master cylinder leak repair costs $300 to $900 unless covered by recall.
6. Turbocharger
If you’re dealing with a turbo coolant leak on your Ford F-150, this is not cheap to fix and will be a few thousand dollars. Some people suggest doing the exhaust manifolds at the same time to reduce labor costs in the future. If your leak is small and you’re able to manage it by filling up the coolant regularly.
Est. Cost to Repair: Turbocharger hose or line repairs average $600 to $2,400 depending on parts and labor.
7. Rearview Camera
The rearview camera may freeze or fail to work altogether in 13th generation F-150s. This makes it difficult for drivers to view what is behind them, potentially resulting in a crash. Ford was aware of the problem as early as January this year. A minor crash occurred due to it, but no injuries resulted. Ford is releasing a software update to correct the problem. You can download it yourself or visit the dealership to have it done.
Est. Cost to Repair: Rearview camera replacement or module repair runs $300 to $700 without warranty.
8. Premature Oil Consumption
A few Ford F-150 model years 2018 to 2020 trucks have an issue in that they burn a significant amount of oil. It can destroy other engine components, and the truck can even die when driving. The excessive burn-off is due to a defect with the engine components that regulate the oil. Although the oil isn’t supposed to be burned with the fuel, the oil is being burned at the same time. The problem leads to the vehicle producing more pollution than it’s supposed to and consume more gasoline. A lawsuit was filed to get Ford to cover the issue was attempted, but Ford maintains burning a lot of oil is normal and has essentially not repaired the defect even when the trucks are still covered under warranty.
Est. Cost to Repair: Premature oil consumption diagnosis and engine fixes can cost $1,000 to $6,000 if internal repairs are needed.
9. Steering Wheel Vibration
If your Ford F-150 truck’s steering wheel is shaking and it’s worse when you go faster or pull a heavy trailer, you may be experiencing a common steering wheel vibration issue owners are reporting. It seems like the problem is coming from the front driver’s side.
Est. Cost to Repair: Steering wheel vibration fixes like tire balancing or driveshaft work range from $100 to $1,000 depending on the cause.
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