Do All the Ford F-150 Recalls Ruin the Most Popular Pickup Truck of All Time?
The Ford F-150 is the most popular pickup truck in America by quite a long shot. It started production in 1975 and since then hasn’t seemed to be able to be replaced in the hearts and minds of truck lovers. As with any vehicle in production this long, there are bound to be recalls. However, lately, the Ford F-150 has experienced quite a few recalls. Do the Ford F-150 recalls ruin the most popular pickup truck of all time?
Ford F-150 recalls
According to Consumer Reports, the Ford F-150 has another recall. This new one is for 2021 Ford F-150s and their faulty windshield wipers. Ford has issued the recall for over 220,000 F-150s and millions of other F-series trucks, Expeditions, and the Lincoln Navigator. This recall is due to a faulty set of windshield wiper motors.
It’s not just the 2021 Ford F-150 getting recalls; the 2023 F-150 has already had three. Two of the recalls were powertrain related. The first came in early February. It concerned the risk of the pickup truck rolling away because it could be difficult to put in park because some transmissions had a loose bolt, which could prevent the transmission from shifting into park.
The second powertrain recall came later that month due to the front axle pinion not being properly heat treated. This problem could cause the pinion to fracture. It required the entire front axel assembly to be replaced.
Lastly, some 2023 Ford F-150s were recalled because the instrument panel top cover prevented some trucks’ airbags from deploying properly. This is a clear risk that demands immediate attention.
Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
Despite the F-150’s monumental popularity, the model has had some reliability issues recently. The recalls are only a part of the problem. Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend the 2023 Ford F-150 despite rating the driving experience highly.
Ford’s most popular pickup truck has spotty reliability with issues running the gambit. Consumer Reports poll vehicle owners to find their issues with certain models. 2023 F-150 owners have reported issues with the drive system, transmission, climate system, paint, body hardware, and power equipment, not to mention the recalls.
The Ford F-150 is still the people’s champ
According to CNBC, Ford Motor reported sales of its F-Series surpassed 640,000 trucks last year, making it America’s bestselling truck for 46 consecutive years and bestselling vehicle for 41 years. While sales are down year-over-year due to production issues, the F-series remains dominant among its piers. However, in recent years, other models like the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have started to close the gap.
Despite some recent reliability issues, Ford has created and maintained the most dominant pickup truck this country has ever seen. Regardless of anyone’s personal opinion (truck fans are fiercely loyal), the Ford F-150 is an undeniable platform. It’s hard to see a future where the F-150 isn’t the King of the pickup trucks.
