2023 Ford F-150 Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 83 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2023 Ford F-150, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 9,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “instrument cluster” (6% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Instrument cluster: mentioned in 5 of 83 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 9 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles5 · 56%
10k–25k miles0 · 0%
25k–50k miles4 · 44%
50k–75k miles0 · 0%
75k–100k miles0 · 0%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 83 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury.

Ford F-150 electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 324 complaints
1995: 6519951996: 561997: 1981998: 8719981999: 852000: 1912001: 13720012002: 1062003: 472004: 9920042005: 732006: 602007: 4220072008: 292009: 462010: 16620102011: 2352012: 1732013: 32420133242014: 1622015: 1762016: 18720162017: 1352018: 1722019: 10020192020: 882021: 1302022: 12520222023: 832024: 402025: 2320252026: 2

n = 3,642 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearElectrical System complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 F-150217%—
2025 F-1502321%24,000
2024 F-1504021%25,000
2023 F-1508320%9,000
2022 F-15012521%20,000
2021 F-15013013%27,500
2020 F-1508812%3,500
2019 F-1501007%44,500
2018 F-1501727%26,000
2017 F-1501359%44,500
2016 F-1501879%40,000
2015 F-15017610%52,000
2014 F-15016211%65,000
2013 F-15032411%67,000
2012 F-15017310%66,500
2011 F-15023511%68,000
2010 F-15016620%59,571
2009 F-1504614%66,350
2008 F-150298%82,350
2007 F-150429%74,100
2006 F-1506010%62,000
2005 F-150737%69,750
2004 F-150995%55,000
2003 F-1504711%60,000
2002 F-15010613%88,000
2001 F-15013711%88,000
2000 F-15019118%81,143
1999 F-150858%86,000
1998 F-150876%120,000
1997 F-1501987%112,000
1996 F-1505617%100,500
1995 F-1506510%110,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2026, with 28 complaints
2023: 102023102024: 182024182025: 272025272026: 28202628

n = 83 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Exterior lighting:tail lights; electrical system: integrated trailer brake controlFeb 20, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V104000 · 4,381,878 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The rear brake light led failed and ford refused to cover under their 4/48000 bumper to bumper warranty, there is no damage to the light assembly and the failure is going to cost $1700 to correct. For a light bulb(led so no bulb) issue, this is fraud from ford not honoring coverages and for not…

Received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767492

While driving at speed, my vehicle experienced a severe safety hazard: the transmission jerked violently and the engine completely stalled on the road, causing an immediate loss of power. The dealership diagnosed the truck and stated that tree debris had plugged the cowl drains at the base of the…

Received Aug 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759546

While towing a 6000 pound travel trailer 6/21/26, the brakes on the trailer failed. A trailer wiring fault message came up on the dash each time I braked. It is available for inspection. How was our safety put at risk??? Stopping distance was increased substantually. When you need to stop, you need…

Received Aug 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755242
Ford F-150
Ford F-150 (fourteenth generation) at Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2023 Ford F-150s have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 83 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2023 Ford F-150 (20% of the 414 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2023 Ford F-150 electrical system?

Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 9,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2023 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “instrument cluster”, in 5 of 83 complaints.

Other 2023 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2023 Ford F-150 problems or electrical system problems across all F-150 years.