This article supersedes TSB 23-2330 to update the Parts List. Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the oil pan with the later style oil pan.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford F-150 engine problems
moderate 153 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
153
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
3fires
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 153 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 23-2083 to update the Service Procedure and the Part List. Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the oil pan with the later style oil pan.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to various concerns with the oil pan. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the oil pan with the later style oil pan.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 153 narratives is sudden, unpredictable loss of engine power caused by electronic throttle body failure. Owners describe driving normally when the engine abruptly drops to idle, the wrench warning light and Service Advance Trac message appear, and the throttle becomes unresponsive. The truck enters "limp mode"—power restricted to 5 mph or less. Some owners report this happening on highways during heavy traffic, creating serious collision risk. One owner had the engine die on a bridge during rain with semi-trucks around him; another lost power while towing a trailer and passing traffic. Owners say the only fix is to pull over, shut off the engine, and restart—at which point codes often clear, making diagnosis difficult for dealers.
An owner with engineering background found black oxidation (fretting corrosion) on the throttle connector inside the failed unit. Multiple owners report throttle body replacement by dealers under warranty, but the failure recurred within months or years, suggesting Ford's replacement parts don't address the root cause. One owner's throttle body failed twice; another replaced it himself after the second failure and confirmed Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 16-0139) for this problem in 2009–2013 models but not for 2015s. Ford dealers report this is a known issue—one technician told an owner he sees 20-plus failures per year.
Secondary issues include exhaust manifold bolts shearing and manifolds warping, causing audible chirping and exhaust fumes in the cabin. Owners also report complete engine failures involving bearing damage, turbocharger failure, and timing chain problems at relatively low mileage. Oil pan leaks and warping are common, with plastic pans deforming. One owner found the oil pan out of stock for two years. Parts backordered and service waits extend 3–4 weeks or longer, leaving drivers without vehicles and dealers unable to diagnose intermittent faults that occur between service visits.
Same Ford F-150 engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Body Failure
The electronic throttle body fails intermittently, causing sudden loss of engine power and throttle response. The engine enters limp mode and runs rough at idle. Multiple warning lights illuminate including wrench, Service Advance Trac, Hill Assist, and Hill Descent Control. Owners report black discoloration and oil buildup inside the throttle body connector, consistent with contact fretting corrosion.
When: Between 10,600 and 189,500 miles; frequently manifests within first 100,000 miles; can recur after dealer replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of throttle response; Engine enters limp mode, power limited to 5 mph or less; Engine rough idle or stalling; Wrench, Service Advance Trac, Hill Assist, Hill Descent Control warning lights; Loss of power steering in some cases; Multiple instances of same failure after initial repair
Codes mentioned: P2112, P2122, P2123, P2124, P2125
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement; cost reported as $376, $604.92, and $1,100 at different dealers; 15,000 units reported on back-order; part frequently out of stock with 3.5+ week wait times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 16-0139, SSM 46139, SSM 46829; extended coverage program referenced but many owners report being denied coverage; multiple lawsuits filed; recall 13N03 existed for 2009-2013 models but not extended to 2015 F-150
Exhaust Manifold Warping and Bolt Shearing
Exhaust manifold bolts shear and manifold warps due to heat stress, causing exhaust leaks. The design uses only eight securing bolts which owners and mechanics report as insufficient. Warping is more pronounced when engine is cold. Leaks produce audible whistling or chirping noise on acceleration and allow exhaust fumes to enter cabin.
When: Low mileage vehicles; from approximately 11,000 miles onward; issue initially noticed around 4-6 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Audible whistling or chirping noise on acceleration; Whistling noise that stops when metals expand and seal; Exhaust fumes odor in cabin when engine cold; Heat-induced warping visible on inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust manifold replacement with redesigned part that includes additional stud hole (BL3Z-9430-D, DL3Z-9431-D); repair costs not specified by owners; Ford redesigned manifold but no TSB or field service action issued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford redesigned the exhaust manifold with additional stud holes but has not issued a TSB or field service action for affected vehicles; no recall or extended warranty coverage
Engine Failure and Internal Damage
Complete engine failures including bearing damage, turbocharger failure, timing chain failure, cam phaser failure, and piston damage. Owners report oil leaks, buildup inside throttle body and other engine components suggesting lubrication issues. Some engines fail at low mileage with no warning until sudden loss of power.
When: 50,000 to 189,500 miles; one case at 79,689 miles, one at 81,000 miles, one at 107,000 miles with recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal banging and crackling from engine; Engine stalling or loss of power; Low oil pressure warning light; Engine continues to vibrate while stopped; Rough idle and vibration; Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; costs estimated at $16,000; main bearing, turbochargers, timing chain, and tensioners require replacement; new engines sold with limited 60,000-mile warranty; one owner had engine replaced twice with second failure occurring at 107,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 2N103 (Engine and Engine Cooling) referenced but denied coverage in multiple cases; manufacturers referred owners to NHTSA Hotline; extended coverage waived in some cases despite NHTSA recall action
Oil Pan Leaking and Warping
Oil pan develops leaks due to warping or seal failure. Plastic-based oil pans deform. Oil leaks onto hot engine parts causing burning smell. Leaks can be pinhole-sized and difficult to locate.
When: 70,000 to 175,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil visible under front of vehicle; Burning odor from leaking oil on hot parts; Check engine light (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement and front seal resealing required; part has been unavailable to order (out of stock for two years as of complaint filing); replacement costs not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 19-2205, TSB 24-2098 referenced; manufacturer confirms VIN inclusion in TSB but part unavailability persists; owners referred to NHTSA Hotline when not covered under TSB
Intake Air Loss and Performance Degradation
Engine loses acceleration response and fails to maintain desired speed. Multiple warning lights and messages appear. Vehicle unable to pass other vehicles or climb hills at normal power. Hard acceleration sometimes triggers stalling.
When: Low mileage (under 2,000 miles through 147,000 miles) with intermittent recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Erratic acceleration response; Engine stalling during hard acceleration or passing; Inability to maintain desired speed even with accelerator depressed; Rough idle; Multiple warning lights: check engine, Service Advance Trac, Hill Start Assist
Codes mentioned: P061C
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement attempted but did not resolve issue in some cases; root cause may be related to oil buildup in intake system; repairs by independent mechanics did not prevent recurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No service bulletins issued for this symptom pattern; manufacturer has not provided solution; issue reported as ongoing since purchase with no Ford response
Steering and Power Steering Loss
Steering becomes firm and power steering assist is lost during driving. Related to electronic limp mode events where electrical systems lose function.
When: Intermittent; occurs at highway speeds (50-70 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes firm; Steering assist warning light; Loss of power steering during limp mode events
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement recommended; repair costs not specified; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Cooling System Overheating and Coolant Loss
Engine overheats with excessive white smoke from exhaust. Coolant reservoir becomes abnormally low. Temperature gauge indicates overheating. Related to manifold stud fractures and turbocharger damage in some cases.
When: 95,000 to 175,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge shows overheating; Excessive white smoke from exhaust; Low coolant in reservoir; Check engine light; Loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement needed; thermostat and coolant replacement attempted by owner; cylinder head and exhaust manifolds may need replacement; turbocharger eventually needs replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 referenced; manufacturer not notified in some cases; manufacturer referred owners to NHTSA Hotline
Stop-Start System Malfunction
The auto stop-start feature (EcoBoost engine automatically shuts off at stops) malfunctions. Engine shuts off as designed but fails to restart when accelerator is depressed. Electrical systems become inoperative.
When: Few days after purchase; occurred at traffic light
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off at stop light as expected; Engine fails to restart when gas pedal depressed; Owner override switch not engaged
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicle remained at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer sales staff did not inform owner of feature or override switch; no technical support provided
Transmission and Transmission Display Failures
Gear positions disappear from transmission cluster display. Vehicle will not shift out of current gear or shift unexpectedly. Transmission overrevs without shifting. Blind spot detection offline warning appears.
When: Intermittent during around-town and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Gears disappear from cluster display; Vehicle locked in current gear; No acceleration response from gas pedal; Engine overrevs to redline without shifting; Blind spot detection offline warning
Repairs/costs cited: Molded lead frame for transmission defective; repair costs not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford identified issue as molded lead frame failure; noted that some model years have recall but 2015 not included in recall
Turbocharger and Oil Line Damage
Turbocharger fails with oil leaks from turbocharger seals. Exhaust manifold stud fractures cause damage to turbocharger, oil lines, and coolant lines.
When: 127,000 to 160,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from turbocharger; Check engine light; Fractured exhaust manifold studs
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger, exhaust manifold bolts, and oil and coolant lines require replacement; costs not specified; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case filed but no assistance provided
Synthesized from 153 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2015 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 engine problem on the 2015 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 153 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 90 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 45,000 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 65,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 105,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2015/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.