Door locks and latches freeze solid below 32°F on 2015 F-150s, especially crew cabs. Owners cannot open doors from the outside, power lock buttons don't work, and manual keys are useless. When doors do open from the inside, the latches won't re-engage, leaving doors bouncing open or forcing owners to hold them shut while driving—some carry bungee cords as a workaround. Doors have opened unexpectedly while moving at highway speeds after hitting bumps. Ford issued technical service bulletins 15-0052 and 16-0155 as far back as April 2015, followed by recalls 17V652 and satisfaction program 18N03, but owners consistently report repairs fail within days or weeks. One owner performed a recall fix and the door failed ten days later. Dealers blame frozen moisture and apply lubricant, but the problem recurs each winter. Water accumulates inside door panels from rain and car washes, pooling at the bottom even in garaged trucks. On some crew cabs, rear passenger doors lock up when the window is cracked more than an inch. Running boards (both fixed and retractable) have loose treads or fail to deploy, creating trip hazards. A few owners also reported windshield washer lines freezing, water leaking into doors and roof seals, hinge bolts backing out, moonroofs jamming, and a tailgate that dropped while towing. Dealer parts remain on back order for months; one owner waited at least six weeks with no resolution in sight.
Failure modes owners describe
Door locks freeze in below-freezing temperatures
Owners report that door locks become inoperable when outside temperatures drop below 32°F. Power lock buttons fail to unlock doors, and manual key unlocking also does not work. In crew cab configurations, the problem reportedly affects all four doors intermittently.
When: Below 32°F ambient temperature; onset varies from winter 2015–2016 onward
Symptoms owners cite: Power lock buttons will not function; Manual key locks will not unlock doors; Actuators may attempt to unlock but fail; Doors remain locked even with repeated cycling; Problem resolves when vehicle warms up
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers apply lubricant/grease to lock mechanisms; Ford issued TSBs 15-0052 and 16-0155, which call for door panel removal, inspection of latches and cables, and application of grease. Parts frequently on back order. Recall 17V652 and customer satisfaction program 18N03 offered, but owners report issues persist.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued TSB 15-0052 (April 2015) and updated TSB 16-0155 (2016) addressing frozen door locks in crew cab 2015–2017 F-150s. Recall 17V652000 (2017) and customer satisfaction program 18N03 (2018) also issued. Dealers report parts backordered for extended periods (weeks to months).
Door latches fail to engage when closing in cold temperatures
When temperatures drop below freezing, door latches will not engage or latch when closing the door, leaving the door bouncing open or remaining in a partially open position. Owners often must cycle locks or manually hold doors closed to drive safely.
When: Below freezing temperatures, particularly after moisture exposure (rain, car wash, or condensation); timing from days to years of ownership depending on climate severity
Symptoms owners cite: Door bounces open instead of latching when closed; Door remains partially ajar with door-ajar warning active; Repeated slamming required to engage latch; Manual latch manipulation may be necessary; Problem resolves or improves as vehicle warms up; Doors may appear closed but are not fully latched
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealer application of lubricant to latches and installation of rain guards above latches per TSB 16-0155. Cable replacements and latch replacements performed under recalls 17V652 and satisfaction program 18N03. Multiple owners report repairs are temporary or ineffective; doors refreeze after initial remedy or within days of repair completion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 15-0052 (April 2015, for 2015–2017 crew cabs built on or before 3/25/2015) and TSB 16-0155 (2016) address frozen latches. Recall 17V652000 (October 2017) covers door latch cable bending/kinking and frozen latches. Customer satisfaction program 18N03 (2018) also issued. Some dealers advised owners parts would arrive within 60–90 days; many reported months of delays or indefinite backorders.
Doors open unexpectedly while driving
Owner-reported incidents in which doors become unlatched and open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly after hitting bumps, over rough road sections, or during lane changes. Some incidents occur in cold weather when latches are frozen.
When: Intermittent; occurs while driving at various speeds (2–75 mph), particularly in winter months or on rough/bumpy roads
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens autonomously while driving; Door unlatches after bumps or road imperfections; Door appears closed but is not fully latched; Occurs without driver action; Owner must pull over and relatch door; May recur immediately after closure
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls 17V652 and 18N03 target door latch cable replacement or re-lubrication. Owners report repairs do not prevent recurrence. One owner noted a workaround: manually locking the door before closing can help it latch, but this is temporary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V652000 (NHTSA Campaign 17V652000) issued October 2017 to address door latches that may not open or may open unexpectedly. Customer satisfaction program 18N03 (2018) also issued. Despite repairs, owners report continued failures.
Water intrusion into door panels and frames
Owners report significant water accumulation inside door panels and between sheet metal, often collecting from rain or car washes. Water enters during precipitation and pools at the bottom of doors, potentially contributing to frozen latch mechanisms and corrosion.
When: During and after rain or vehicle washing; water persists and collects even when vehicle is parked; one owner reported approximately 2 gallons of water in a single door
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks from A-frame trim or door seams during rain; Water visible collecting between door sheet metal; Audible sloshing or movement of water in door panel while driving; Water drains from door gasket anchor holes at door bottom; Water accumulates despite vehicle being garaged; Ongoing even after door gasket removal and inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Owners removed door gaskets and drained water manually. Some dealers advised cleaning drain holes, but no permanent fix is documented. Rain guards installed per TSB 16-0155 are intended to reduce water ingress but do not eliminate the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford's documented guidance has been limited to cleaning drain holes. TSB 16-0155 includes rain guard installation to reduce water entry, but owners report water continues to accumulate.
Running board treads come loose
Factory-installed running board rubber/plastic composite treads become loose on the chrome metal step platform, moving approximately ½ inch side-to-side. Treads deteriorate due to chafing on the edges of mounting holes.
When: Approximately 9 months of ownership; recurs after replacement within 9 months
Symptoms owners cite: Tread pads move loosely on the step surface; Reduced traction when stepping on the board; Owner's wife fell due to loose tread after 9 months; Treads come loose again after dealer replacement; Necks of tread material wear away due to chafing on hole edges
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced running board. No permanent solution documented. Design allows rubber/plastic composite tread necks to deteriorate from chafing on steel plate holes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed replacement. Ford regional manager characterized the issue as cosmetic despite owner's safety concerns. No recall or service bulletin documented.
Retractable running boards fail to deploy or deploy/retract without warning
On Platinum trim 2015 F-150s with retractable running boards, boards fail to deploy when doors open, or deploy and immediately retract without warning, creating a trip hazard and potential pinching hazard.
When: Intermittent; occurs across multiple outings
Symptoms owners cite: Running board fails to deploy when passenger door opens; Owner/passenger expects board to be deployed and stumbles; Board deploys and immediately retracts without warning; One side may deploy while the other does not; Potential pinching hazard if leg contacted during retraction; Inconsistent behavior—sometimes deploys normally, sometimes does not
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer has been unable to provide a permanent fix per owner report.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented. Dealer unable to resolve.
Windshield washer fluid freezes in lines
Windshield washer fluid solidifies or freezes in the delivery lines even with proper winter-grade fluid, preventing fluid spray when the washer button is pressed. The wipers operate but no fluid is delivered.
When: Below-freezing temperatures, particularly after cold weather exposure
Symptoms owners cite: Washer button pressed; wipers activate but no fluid sprays; Creates unsafe visibility conditions during driving; Problem occurs despite correct winter-grade fluid in reservoir; Resolves after vehicle warms up or overnight in heated garage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer added extra alcohol to reservoir and recommended overnight warming in heated garage. One dealer did not offer to perform TSB despite owner's request.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued TSB 16-0155 (mentioned by owners) addressing frozen washer lines in crew cabs. Multiple owners report dealers did not perform the TSB or offered only a temporary fix (adding alcohol) rather than replacing components.
Rear passenger door lock freezes with window cracked open
When the rear passenger window is lowered more than 1 inch, the door lock jams in the locked position, preventing the door from being opened from either the inside or outside, regardless of the operational state of the vehicle. The electric locking system will not respond, and manual release buttons tear when pulled with force.
When: Any time the window is cracked open more than 1 inch in the locked state; not necessarily cold-weather dependent, but owner noted it as an intermittent weekly occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Door lock jams when rear window is lowered more than 1 inch; Door cannot be opened by interior or exterior handles; Electric locking system will not unlock; Manual release button tears from rod when pulled; Occurs regularly (reported as 25% of days in one owner's experience); Causes problems during school unloading (child locked in car seat)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner disassembled door and identified the mechanical latch jamming issue. No repair documented; owner pulled door lock button, which tore the release mechanism.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. No recall or TSB addressing window-position-dependent latch jamming.
Power tailgate latch fails; tailgate drops unexpectedly
The mechanical latch controller that secures the power tailgate breaks, causing the tailgate to drop. During highway travel with a trailer, the tailgate came down and was damaged by the trailer's tongue wheel support post jamming against it.
When: While towing a trailer on highway; tailgate failure occurred after rough road construction, lane changes, and twisting road sections
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate drops without driver action; Tailgate receives damage from trailer contact; Mechanical latch controller breaks internally; Tailgate not secure after overnight stop
Repairs/costs cited: Broken latch controller identified during inspection by dealer body shop. No permanent repair documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner that recall (at the time) was limited to F-250 and F-350 models; F-150 Lariat (which has the same power tailgate) was not included. Ford consumer help center declined to cover damage. Latch controller failure suggests design issue not addressed in available recalls.
Door hinge bolts loosen while driving
The bolts securing the door hinge to the door frame come loose and back out approximately four full turns, causing the door to drop out of its closed position during highway driving.
When: While driving at highway speed (~75 mph) over bridge approach/bump; bolt loosening discovered after owner noticed wind noise and door partially open
Symptoms owners cite: Wind noise from driver's door while on interstate at highway speed; Door drops out of closed position when vehicle hits bump; Door can be pulled open to 4-finger gap from frame; Hinge bolts (top and bottom) found backed out approximately 4 turns; Owner tightened bolts as temporary fix
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually tightened bolts; dealership was to investigate why bolts had come loose but no remedy documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin addressing hinge bolt retention.
Moonroof mechanism sticks, fails to open/close, or makes loud popping noise
Moonroof becomes jammed in partially open or closed position, refuses to operate in one or both directions, or produces loud popping sounds when attempting to move. One repair cost $2,300; another owner reported six repair attempts with limited success.
When: Intermittent; one owner noted problem started 4 months after purchase (purchased 2015) and continued to 26k miles. Another owner first experienced jam after minimal use (approximately 12 opens/closes).
Symptoms owners cite: Moonroof stuck in one position and will not move; Loud popping noise when attempting to open; Stuck panel not air/water-tight seal; Recurring jamming after repair; Passenger side panel fails to fully seal after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Major repair by dealership: $2,300 cost reported. After repair, moonroof still not 100% functional. Owner reported six separate repair attempts across multiple service visits without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented. Dealer repairs have not resolved issue.
Moonroof water leak from sliding rear window
Water leaks from the sliding rear window switch area, creating potential electrical short hazard.
When: At various vehicle operational modes; ongoing from 4 months after purchase through at least 26k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water drips from sliding rear window switch location; Potential for electrical short circuit; Occurs at all vehicle modes (parked, idling, driving)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented. Owners reported numerous web complaints about the same issue.
Rear sliding glass top rail held together by double-sided tape; rattles and vibrates
The top rail of the rear sliding glass window is held together by double-sided tape only, causing it to rattle and vibrate uncontrollably during driving at various speeds. Structural integrity issue.
When: Discovered at approximately 61,000 miles during routine use
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling and vibration from rear glass top rail while driving; Vibration present at various speeds; Only double-sided tape used to join rail sections
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; dealer was unaware of defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented. Manufacturer offered no assistance.
Door unlocks automatically when hand detected near door handle
On push-button-start vehicles with keyless entry, the door unlocks when a hand is detected on the inside of the door handle even when the door is locked and the key fob is in the owner's possession. This creates an unintended unlocking scenario.
When: Observed on vehicles equipped with push-button start and keyless entry; behavior described in detail by one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Lock button pops up as hand is detected on inside of door handle; Door unlocks despite appearing locked; Occurs when key fob is in owner's possession; Can complicate attempts to manually lock door
Repairs/costs cited: Not reported as requiring repair; owner described workaround (pressing lock button before closing door).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response; appears to be inherent design behavior rather than a failure mode.
Brake fluid leak; low brake pressure warning
Brake fluid reservoir drained almost completely without visible leakage. Owner experienced total brake failure during city driving, requiring emergency stop with parking brake.
When: During city driving at 45 mph; low brake warning light appeared first, then complete brake failure occurred within 2 blocks
Symptoms owners cite: Low brake fluid warning light illuminated; Complete loss of hydraulic brakes at next stop attempt; Owner applied full brake pressure with no effect; Brake fluid reservoir nearly empty despite no visible leaks; No fluid found leaking from lines, fittings, calipers, master cylinder, or engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership; no repair details provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; vehicle not yet repaired at time of complaint filing.
Excessive wind noise from driver's door; door seal or gap issue
Owner reports high wind noise from driver's door during highway driving (approximately 75 mph), suggesting a door seal or alignment issue. Related to bolt loosening issue (#9).
When: Highway driving at approximately 75 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loud wind noise from driver's side door while driving; Noise occurs before door hinge bolts loosen (separate symptom)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner re-closed door thinking it had not been shut properly; hinge bolts later found loose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented.
Dashboard chrome vent causes distracting glare on window
Chrome dash vents produce excessive glare that reflects onto the driver's side window, causing significant distraction when using the driver's side view mirror.
When: Intermittent during driving; notable at a glance but problematic when scanning across mirrors
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive glare from chrome dashboard vent; Glare reflects onto window; Distraction when using side view mirror; Apparent funhouse mirror distortion in both side view mirrors
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin documented.
Synthesized from 122 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.