2023 Ford F-150 Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 15, 2026 · 158 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2023 Ford F-150, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 33,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “rear axle” (15% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Rear axle: mentioned in 23 of 158 complaints (15%)
  • Power train contacted: mentioned in 14 of 158 complaints (9%)
  • Hub bolt: mentioned in 10 of 158 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 36 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles6 · 17%
10k–25k miles8 · 22%
25k–50k miles13 · 36%
50k–75k miles4 · 11%
75k–100k miles4 · 11%
100k–150k miles1 · 3%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 158 complaints, 4 mention a crash.

Ford F-150 power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 1,342 complaints
1995: 7519951996: 261997: 1511998: 8319981999: 752000: 472001: 7420012002: 532003: 622004: 23220042005: 1122006: 462007: 5720072008: 502009: 332010: 12120102011: 8262012: 6812013: 1,34220131,3422014: 4252015: 4252016: 60320162017: 5462018: 1,0142019: 73620192020: 3572021: 3182022: 16020222023: 1582024: 582025: 252025

n = 8,971 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 F-1502523%5,330
2024 F-1505830%10,500
2023 F-15015838%33,500
2022 F-15016027%28,791
2021 F-15031831%55,000
2020 F-15035749%59,000
2019 F-15073655%66,500
2018 F-1501,01444%60,000
2017 F-15054638%83,700
2016 F-15060329%97,000
2015 F-15042525%88,000
2014 F-15042528%101,000
2013 F-1501,34245%94,000
2012 F-15068138%90,000
2011 F-15082638%96,634
2010 F-15012114%60,000
2009 F-1503310%38,673
2008 F-1505014%50,000
2007 F-1505712%70,000
2006 F-150468%38,500
2005 F-15011210%65,850
2004 F-15023211%35,000
2003 F-1506215%40,000
2002 F-150536%54,260
2001 F-150746%64,239
2000 F-150474%54,104
1999 F-150757%84,000
1998 F-150836%95,000
1997 F-1501515%99,904
1996 F-150268%109,750
1995 F-1507512%120,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2026, with 79 complaints
2023: 112023112024: 262024262025: 422025422026: 79202679

n = 158 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (4)

Power train:axle hubsAug 8, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V512000 · 103,174 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Power train:axle hubsDec 22, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V896000 · 112,965 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 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 the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Both 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S65.

Power train:axle assemblyFeb 24, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V128000 · 240 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.

Risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

Power train:automatic transmissionFeb 10, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V070000 · 1,138 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

What owners report

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

2023 F150 28K miles. No warnings. Continious issues with Severe transmission shifting, loud clunk and jerking/whiplash and failure to engage when first put into gear. Shudder at times around 55 mph, reared backlash issue identified but within tolerance per dealership. transmission was rebuilt…

Received Oct 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769083

Rear axle half shaft and hub replacement assembly (Manufacturer Recall Number 25S82 NHTSA Recall Number25V512). Neither Ford nor the local dealership seem to care about repairing this issue in a timely manner. The truck was inspected soon after the recall was received. The dealer confirmed that my…

Received Sep 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767949

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly shifts violently, lurches from P to D, delayed shifting. This occurred while while driving under normal…

Received Sep 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763650
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 power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 158 owner complaints about power train for the 2023 Ford F-150 (38% 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 power train?

Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 33,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2023 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “rear axle”, in 23 of 158 complaints, followed by “power train contacted” (14).

Other 2023 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2023 Ford F-150 problems or power train problems across all F-150 years.