This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Ford F-150 wheels problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Ford F-150 have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the wheels at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 F-150 | 8 |
| 2011 F-150 | 10 |
| 2012 F-150 | 13 |
| 2013 F-150 | 21 |
| 2014 F-150 (this page) | 18 |
| 2015 F-150 | 31 |
| 2016 F-150 | 49 |
| 2017 F-150 | 38 |
| 2018 F-150 | 37 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with TOD transfer cases may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to remove and cap the vacuum supply line.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator 4x4 vehicles may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise coming from the right front or left front wheel area while accelerating in 2WD mode. Refer to the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 308-07, Diagnosis and Testing Symptom Chart - NVH > The front axle makes noise in 2H mode only and generally under heavy throttle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report swollen, corroded lug nuts on the original wheels—affecting all 24 nuts across all four wheels—making them impossible to remove with standard tools without damage. Service technicians confirm this is a known design flaw with the two-piece chrome-covered nut design; moisture enters the assembly and causes corrosion and swelling. Replacement costs $7–183 depending on quantity, and technicians warn that replacement nuts from Ford will fail the same way. No recall has been issued despite a lawsuit filed against Ford and acknowledgment by dealership service staff that this is a "bad design Ford should cover."
The factory TPMS is also faulty—it fails to warn drivers until tire pressure drops to roughly 18 psi (nearly flat on a highway truck), far below the safe threshold required by the TREAD Act. Dealership attempts to fix it by swapping wheels and sensors have failed; Ford claims the system is working correctly.
Additionally, owners report a rubber boot defect in the integrated wheel end (IWE) that causes internal hub grinding. Ford service confirmed this is a "somewhat common" issue on this model with potential for wheel detachment, but denied warranty coverage when reported out-of-warranty.
Finally, some owners documented mis-drilled valve stem holes in factory rims and rust accumulation on wheel interiors.
Same Ford F-150 wheels reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Swollen/Corroded Two-Piece Lug Nuts
Factory-installed chrome-covered lug nuts swell and corrode over time due to moisture ingress into the two-piece design. The outer piece strips or breaks during removal attempts, making nuts impossible to remove with standard tools. This is a design defect that requires complete replacement of all lug nuts.
When: Discovered during routine maintenance, tire rotations, and oil changes; no specific mileage threshold cited
Symptoms owners cite: Lug nuts too tight to remove without stripping or damage; Standard factory lug wrench will not fit swollen nuts; Difficulty removing wheels during tire service; All 24 lug nuts (across 4 wheels, dual rear wheels) affected simultaneously; Moisture visible inside two-piece nut structure
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of all affected lug nuts required; owner reports $7.59 per nut ($124–182.40+ for all 24), and technicians advise against purchasing Ford brand replacements as they will fail again. Issue recurs with each tire rotation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; Ford customer service refuses assistance despite service consultants acknowledging this is a 'common problem' with 'flawed original design' that has been redesigned; lawsuit filed against Ford regarding this defect
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Malfunction
TPMS fails to alert driver until tire pressure drops to approximately 18 psi or lower—dangerously low for highway driving—instead of activating at the federally mandated safety threshold. Dealership replacements of wheels and system checks do not resolve the issue.
When: Ongoing failure requiring multiple dealership visits
Symptoms owners cite: No warning light or alert until tire pressure drops to 18 psi (nearly flat tire); System does not activate at safe pressure threshold; Driver unaware of under-inflated tire condition while driving highway speeds (65 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to repair despite multiple visits and wheel/sensor swaps from another 2014 F-150; dealership claims system is working correctly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; Ford dealership refuses to acknowledge defect and claims system operates as designed, violating TREAD Act (2000) requirements
Integrated Wheel End (IWE) Rubber Boot Failure
Rubber boot on the integrated wheel end does not contract or inflate properly, causing internal gear grinding within the wheel hub. Ford service confirmed this is 'a somewhat common occurrence' on this model. Potential consequence is wheel detachment, tilting, or disengagement from the hub.
When: Approximately 1,000 miles after new tire installation; owner reported at 63,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Howling noise from front right wheel; Noise most audible in cold weather and while in motion; Internal grinding of wheel hub gears
Repairs/costs cited: Ford service identified the IWE defect but owner was denied warranty coverage (vehicle exceeded 60,000-mile warranty limit)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; Ford acknowledged the problem is 'somewhat common' but took no corrective action; warranty denial at 63,000 miles
Defective Valve Stem Retainer Hole in Factory Rim
Factory rim has a valve stem retainer hole that was mis-drilled during manufacturing. This structural defect creates risk of sudden rim failure under stress or high tire pressure, leading to rapid air loss.
When: Discovered at manufacturer-recommended tire replacement interval
Symptoms owners cite: Mis-drilled valve stem retainer hole in factory rim; Risk of sudden air decompression under stress
Heavy Rust Accumulation on Inside Wheel Surface
Interior surfaces of wheels heavily covered in rust, creating potential for structural deterioration and integrity loss over time that could lead to breakage.
When: Observed during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rust buildup on inner wheel surfaces; Potential for long-term structural degradation
Sudden Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock (Transmission/Brake-Related)
Vehicle experiences sudden downshift causing severe speed loss and rear tire lock-up and slide, potentially related to wheel assembly or brake system integration. Owner was stranded roadside unable to change tire due to swollen lug nuts; also reports sudden downshift event 4 years prior with same outcome.
When: Recurring issue over 4-year period
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended downshift; Dramatic loss of vehicle speed; Rear tires lock and slide; Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle crashed off road; Ford has not corrected underlying issue despite two separate reports
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; dealership acknowledged receiving similar complaints from other 2014 F-150 owners at the time but has not issued fix
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had wheels trouble with your 2014 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2014 Ford F-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $400.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 55,076 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.