This model year has 72 processed complaint reports; POWER TRAIN is the most frequently classified system at 75.0% of reports.
Federal telemetry verified ● Model-year dossier
2019 FORD F-150
Complaint-pattern analysis from publicly available NHTSA safety records.
10.0Reliability score / 10
System health index
Reliability telemetry
A cohort-relative signal that annualizes documented reports for vehicle age and weights NHTSA crash or fire flags.
Documented incidents72
Reports with crash / fire flags0
Flagged-report share0.00%
Primary reported systemPOWER TRAIN
Scores are relative to the indexed vehicle cohort, not failure rates. Crash and fire flags identify how a complaint was recorded by NHTSA; they do not establish that a reported component caused the event.
Data-based buyer guidance
Review source records
Use the complaint patterns as a research starting point, alongside recalls, maintenance history, and an inspection.
Available adjacent years span 60–99 reports. This year has more reports than 2020.It has fewer reports than 2018.
Before you buy
- Check open recalls using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Review the linked NHTSA reports for symptoms that match the vehicle you are considering.
- Ask for maintenance records and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection.
This is a statistical research aid, not a mechanical diagnosis, failure prediction, or recommendation to buy or avoid a vehicle.
Component analysis
Most frequently reported systems.
POWER TRAIN54 documented reports
75.0%ENGINE13 documented reports
18.1%FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE5 documented reports
6.9%ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4 documented reports
5.6%OTHER / UNSPECIFIED3 documented reports
4.2%BACK OVER PREVENTION3 documented reports
4.2%STEERING3 documented reports
4.2%WHEELS2 documented reports
2.8%PARKING BRAKE1 documented reports
1.4%SUSPENSION1 documented reports
1.4%Show all 15 reported components
STRUCTURE1 documented reports
1.4%SERVICE BRAKES1 documented reports
1.4%VISIBILITY1 documented reports
1.4%VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1 documented reports
1.4%LANE DEPARTURE1 documented reports
1.4%Failure intelligence
What to inspect before you buy.
Complaint clusters identify repeated reported symptoms; they are not a diagnosis or defect finding.
POWER TRAIN
Powertrain Malfunction
Danger zone mileage59,000–84,000 miMedian: 71,500 mi
Reported symptoms
- Loud banging sound during downshifting
- Power loss during acceleration
- Transmission skipping gears
- Inconsistent transmission shifting behavior (e.g., jumping from 10th to 1st)
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission control module and conduct a thorough diagnostic of the powertrain system to identify potential faults and ensure proper operation of all shifting mechanisms.
POWER TRAIN: 15 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 59000, median 71500, and P75 84000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Erratic and Harsh Transmission Shifting
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Transmission shifts erratically and harshly
- Unexpected downshifts from high to low gears
- Hesitation in shifting from a stop or during acceleration
- Shutter when starting from a complete stop in lower gears
Pre-purchase check
Check for software updates or reset adaptive learning in the transmission control unit. Inspect transmission fluid levels and condition. Test drive to assess shifting behavior, especially between 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th gears.
POWER TRAIN: 4 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Transmission and Engine Issues in 2019 Ford F-150
Danger zone mileage53,000–53,000 miMedian: 53,000 mi
Reported symptoms
- Loss of power during acceleration
- Difficulty shifting into gear
- Hard shifting and vibration
- Unexpected downshifting at low speeds
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission components, including fluid levels and condition, as well as the engine's cam phaser and timing chain.
ENGINE: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 53000, median 53000, and P75 53000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Power Train Engagement Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Clunking during gear changes
- Sudden downshifting from high to low gear
- Loss of power during driving
- Transmission not registering speed changes immediately after downshifting (throttle lag) and engaging back into gear slowly after a sudden downshift (5-7 seconds) during high speed driving, causing safety risk, especially in traffic situations like highway driving where other vehicles may be close behind or close enough to cause an accident if sudden loss of power occurs. Transmission hesitating or struggling to shift between 1st and 3rd gears, showed warning dash lights such as wrench warnings and other issues including transmission showing 'NO GEAR' while driving at highway speeds. Typically returned to shop for intensive repairs within a few weeks of the first repair indicating malfunction of the transmission and its mechanical components.
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid level and condition, check for stored fault codes, examine valve body and bushings, and assess for any signs of wear on the electronic control components of the transmission.
POWER TRAIN: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Power Train Hard Shifting and Vibration
Danger zone mileage15,000–15,000 miMedian: 15,000 mi
Reported symptoms
- Hard shifting/clunking when transitioning from park to reverse
- Erratic shifting up through the gears
- Vibration while driving
- Transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral or incorrect gear
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the transmission and related powertrain components for any signs of malfunction or failure, including computer diagnostics to check for any error codes and assess the mechanical condition of the transmission system.
POWER TRAIN: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 15000, median 15000, and P75 15000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Powertrain Malfunction
Danger zone mileage8,000–8,000 miMedian: 8,000 mi
Reported symptoms
- Defective CDF drum
- Outer shell issues
- Oil consumption
- Repeated powertrain problems including sudden loss of power
Pre-purchase check
Thorough inspection of the powertrain components, particularly the transmission and related assemblies. Review the vehicle's repair history for recurrent issues.
POWER TRAIN: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 8000, median 8000, and P75 8000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Issues in Power Train
Danger zone mileage32,556–97,519 miMedian: 65,038 mi
Reported symptoms
- Transmission failure at high mileage
- Transmission not shifting properly
- Loud clunk during shifting
- Transmission locks up unexpectedly
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission for wear and verify shifting mechanisms are operational. Check for error codes and perform fluid analysis.
POWER TRAIN: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 32556, median 65038, and P75 97519 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Slipping and Stalling Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Transmission slips out of gear
- Transmission stalls
- Aggressive shifting between gears 3-4, 6-5, and 7-8
- Difficulty controlling vehicle speed
Pre-purchase check
Vehicle is available for inspection; prior inspection confirmed the issue by a transmission specialist.
POWER TRAIN: 2 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical System Malfunctions
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Illuminated warning messages despite doors being closed
- Interior and exterior lights remaining on, draining the battery
- Infotainment center requires frequent rebooting after vehicle restart
- Intermittent failure of back over prevention camera functionality
Pre-purchase check
Inspect electrical connections and components related to the doors and infotainment system. Check for any fault codes in the vehicle's computer system that may indicate malfunctioning sensors or wiring issues.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electronic Steering System Failure
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Engine shuts off while driving
- Steering wheel locks up
- Vehicle comes to a complete stop
- No warnings or alerts on dashboard
Pre-purchase check
Inspect electronic steering system for potential failure and ensure proper functionality during operation.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ongoing Electrical System Malfunction
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Sudden loss of power
- Recurring powertrain malfunction
- Repeated repair attempts
Pre-purchase check
Investigate the electrical system components, focusing on power delivery and control modules.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Abnormal engine rattling sound
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Rattling sound upon starting the vehicle
- Sound ceases after several minutes of engine running
- No warning lights illuminated
Pre-purchase check
Consider inspection of engine components for wear or loose parts that could cause rattling.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Engine Failure due to Oil Consumption
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Low compression on bank 2
- Misfires after changing coil packs and spark plugs
- Recommended engine replacement
Pre-purchase check
Inspect engine for oil consumption issues and compression levels, particularly on bank 2.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Engine Phasers Failure
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Engine seizure while driving
- High repair costs associated with phaser failure
- Reported knowledge of defect by manufacturer
Pre-purchase check
Inspect engine phasers for wear or damage and assess engine performance during operation.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Engine Shut Off with Steering Lock
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Engine shuts off unexpectedly
- Steering wheel locks up during operation
- Vehicle stops in roadway without warning
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the electronic steering system and engine control module for faults and history of failure.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Transmission Shifting Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Hard shifting between 3rd and 4th gear
- Unexpected downshift from 8th to 4th gear
- Loud clunking noise during shifting
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels and quality; check transmission linkage and components for wear or damage.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
ENGINE
Valve Cover Oil Leak
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Leaking engine oil onto exhaust components
- Potential for smoke or fire hazard
Pre-purchase check
Professional inspection recommended to assess condition of valve covers and confirm source of oil leak.
ENGINE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Forward Collision Avoidance Concerns
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- repeated powertrain malfunction
- sudden loss of power
Pre-purchase check
Review vehicle history and investigate powertrain systems thoroughly, especially for recurring issues.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Transmission Issues Leading to Unsafe Shifting
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Lunging in reverse
- Hard shifts
- Slipping out of gear
- Stalling at stop light
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission linkage and function; check for fluid levels and condition; test for diagnostic codes related to transmission.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Transmission Shifting Issues
Danger zone mileage75–75 miMedian: 75 mi
Reported symptoms
- Transmission will not shift to lower gear on downhill
- Hard downshift when transmission finally shifts to lower gear
- Transmission stays in lower gear at higher speeds
- Loud clunk during upshift at high RPMs
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission performance, focusing on shifting responsiveness during varying terrain and speeds.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 75, median 75, and P75 75 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Clunky Transmission Shift
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Clunky shift between gears 7 and 8
- Persistent shifting issues despite maintenance
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels and quality; check for software updates related to the transmission system; evaluate transmission components for wear or damage.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Power Train Component Failure
Danger zone mileage70,000–70,000 miMedian: 70,000 mi
Reported symptoms
- Hard shifting into 8th gear
- Vehicle defaults to 4th gear when shifting out of park
- Difficulty starting from a stop due to steep gearing
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the power train components, focusing on the CDF drum and torque converter in the 10r80 transmission system.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 70000, median 70000, and P75 70000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Power Train Shifting Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Rough driving experience
- Inability to shift gears correctly
- Random shifting up or down
- Sudden deceleration at high speeds
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the powertrain components, including transmission functionality and electronic control systems, for faults or failure messages.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Downshift Issue
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Transmission downshifts unexpectedly
- High revving of engine during downshift
- Abrupt shifting back to higher gears
- Loss of traction in rear of vehicle
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels and condition, check for transmission control module updates or issues.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Engagement Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Powertrain lurching in reverse
- Delayed engagement in reverse
- Transmission shifts hard
- Transmission slipping out of gear during operation
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission for internal wear or damage, verify fluid levels and quality, and evaluate linkage systems for proper operation.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Failure
Danger zone mileage76,000–76,000 miMedian: 76,000 mi
Reported symptoms
- Complete transmission failure at 76,000 miles.
- Vehicle unable to shift gears
- Unexpected loss of power during operation
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels, check for any leaks, and evaluate transmission functionality.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 76000, median 76000, and P75 76000 miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Hard Shifting and Uncontrolled Downshift
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Hard shifting from 3rd to 4th gear
- Unexpected downshift from 8th to 4th gear
- Loud clunking noise during shifting
- Progressively worsening transmission performance
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels and condition; check for transmission fault codes; examine the shift linkage and cable adjustments; assess the overall transmission performance during test drive.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Shifting Issues
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Transmission does not shift
- Unable to grab gears
- Vehicle becomes immobilized
Pre-purchase check
Inspect transmission fluid levels and for any error codes related to the transmission system.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Slipping
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Transmission slips from 3rd to 4th gear
- Transmission gets stuck in 7th gear at high speeds
- Check engine light activation
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the transmission fluid levels and conduct a diagnostic check for error codes.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Unexpected Downshift in Power Train
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Downshifted to first gear at high speed (42 mph)
- Risk of rear-end collision due to sudden speed reduction
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the transmission system for erratic downshifting behavior and ensure software calibrations and components are functioning correctly.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
POWER TRAIN
Unexpected Gear Shift
Danger zone mileageMileage not reported
Reported symptoms
- Shifted into 1st gear from 10th gear while driving at high speeds (70 mph)
- Unintended gear transitions
Pre-purchase check
Inspect the power train and transmission control systems for potential malfunction or error in gear selection.
POWER TRAIN: 1 NHTSA complaints in this cluster, including 0 crash-flagged and 0 fire-flagged reports; reported incident mileage spans P25 unavailable, median unavailable, and P75 unavailable miles.
What the data says
POWER TRAIN is the most frequently classified component, appearing in 75.0% of complaint reports in this dataset. This 2019 FORD F-150 has 72 complaint reports in the records we have processed. One report can be classified under more than one component, so component shares do not add up to 100%.
Compare model years
These nearby model years have 2018: 99 reports · 2020: 60 reports. Complaint totals are not failure rates and should be read with vehicle age, sales volume, and reporting patterns in mind.