The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular trucks on the market today and continues to evolve to keep its customers interested. However, one particular year saw some serious engine issues.

Car Complaints shows several posts from 2019 F-150 owners who have experienced some pretty frustrating problems with its engines as reported by the NHTSA. Car Complaints rates these issues with a 7.4 score that falls in the severity category of “pretty bad.” 

What is the problem with the 2019 Ford F-150 engines?

Actually, there are a few different issues reported by Ford F-150 owners. One problem noted was unusual noises detected while the truck was running. On cold starts, some drivers reported ticking noises while others said they heard a knocking noise in the engine. One person posted a complaint on the site stating that the noise “could be heard 25 feet from the vehicle.” The mileage ranged from 1,000 to 31,000 miles on the truck.

Another problem reported was with the auto start/stop feature. At various times, the engine would simply shut itself down, making drivers lose power to their brakes and steering. Drivers received a warning light indicating there was an issue with the auto start/stop, and they should shift it to park and restart the engine, which they did. The problem went away but would sometimes return at a later date. 

There was also a problem posted concerning the engine gas recirculation (EGR) assembly. The driver started the truck after it sat parked from a trip. A warning light indicated it needed to be serviced as soon as possible. A dealership determined missing screws from the EGR assembly caused the problem and the issue was fixed. 

Have things improved?

According to Consumer Reports, the two worst years for engine problems were the 2017 and 2018 models of this truck. The 2019 model still saw problems, but things were slowly improving. When the 2020 model came out, fewer complaints were reported for the engine, so it appears things got better, at least for the motor. 

It’s interesting to note that there were several technical service bulletins released for engine issues on the 2019 Ford F-150. They covered problems that ranged from the EGR assembly to a malfunctioning indicator light.

For the 2021 model, the engine still seems to be improving for now at least. Consumer Reports shows a predicted reliability of two out of five, but most of the complaints reported were for the transmission, power equipment, and in-car electronics. 

Overview of the 2019 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 drew mixed reviews on its braking performance. Some tests revealed the brakes handled various types of situations without too many problems. Others determined the stopping performance was too weak, especially when towing a load. 

Powering the base model was a 2.7-liter V6 generating 325 hp. You could also upgrade it to a 3.3-liter V6 or a 3.5-liter turbo V6, which Consumer Reports thought was comparable to the 5.0-liter V8 engine. There’s also the 3.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel. All these motors are paired up with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

It comes with Ford’s adaptive cruise control that not only keeps a steady speed on the road but will also keep your preset distance from the vehicle in front of you. You’ll also get a blind-spot warning, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assist. 

Rolling into the 2021 model year, the Ford F-150 continues to offer upgrades, like their newest hybrid model, which could produce 430 hp total and 800 lbs more of towing capacity. Now that the engine issues seem to be overcome, Ford can concentrate on offering new features with each model that it produces.