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NHTSA DATA · 2000–2026 MODEL YEARS
Ford F-150 engine noise: what owners report
21,248 complaints to NHTSA, sorted: where the trouble is, which sounds owners describe, at what mileage, and what the manufacturer told its dealers. Then check your own F-150 by sound, free.
The Ford F-150 has 21,248 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000–2026 model years. In 36% of them (7,596) the engine or the transmission is named. The system named most often is transmission and drivetrain (5,480 complaints). Owners most often describe rattling (608), clunking (302) and shuddering (259). The median mileage on an engine or transmission complaint is 86,000 miles. NHTSA lists 547 manufacturer service bulletins that touch the engine or the transmission and 36 engine or transmission recall campaigns (of 121 in total). These are counts of unverified consumer reports, not failure rates.
NHTSA data through October 2026. Counted by PulsCar, updated 2026-11-09.
36%
of complaints name the engine or the transmission (7,596)
21,248
owner complaints to NHTSA, 2000–2026
86,000
median miles when an engine or transmission complaint is filed
547
service bulletins on engine or transmission
36
engine or transmission recalls (of 121)
Where owners say the problem is
Systems named in the complaints. One complaint can name several.
Transmission and drivetrain
5,480
Engine
1,916
Brakes
1,723
Steering
1,006
Electrical system
647
Fuel and propulsion
321
The sounds they describe
How often each word appears in the written complaints. The bigger the bubble, the more owners used it.
Rattling608
Clunking302
Shuddering259
Knocking214
Grinding205
Ticking126
Humming72
Squealing65
Also written about: stalling (854) and misfiring (179).
What each sound points to
Among the complaints that use a word, how many name each system. This is how owners connect a sound to a part, not a diagnosis.
enginetransmissionbrakessteeringsuspensionelectrical system
“rattle” 608
80%
21%
1%
2%
1%
2%
“clunk” 302
10%
88%
2%
4%
2%
4%
“shudder” 259
41%
63%
3%
2%
1%
6%
“knock” 214
79%
22%
3%
1%
1%
6%
“grind” 205
20%
55%
17%
9%
3%
7%
“tick” 126
75%
19%
4%
1%
2%
7%
Hover a cell. Each row: the complaints that use that word, and the systems the same owners name.
Complaints by model year
Last 15 model years. Older cars had more time to collect complaints: read it as a map, not a ranking.
’12
’13
’14
’15
’16
’17
’18
’19
’20
’21
’22
’23
’24
’25
’26
2013 model year: 2,749 complaints (the most)
At what mileage
Engine and transmission complaints, by the mileage on the car when it was filed.
21%
38%
26%
14%
Under 50,000 miles · 21%50,000 to 100,000 miles · 38%100,000 to 150,000 miles · 26%Over 150,000 miles · 14%
3,930 engine and transmission complaints state a mileage. Median: 86,000 miles.
Official records
Manufacturer service bulletins and recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. Tap a line to read it.
SERVICE BULLETINS · WHAT FORD TOLD DEALERS
547of 1,612 on engine or transmission, 2015–2026
Powertrain · 212Engine and cooling · 138Engine · 103Automatic transmission · 57Exhaust system · 19
This may be identified as coming from the bellhousing and the front of the transmission fluid pan The whine noise may become louder when the transmission is at operating temperature and may increase…
Bulletin SSM 51939 · 2023-10-06
The noise typically goes away as the powertrain warms up To improve the cold start noise condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
Bulletin TSB 22-2483 · 2023-01-05
This noise might occur as a rattle when starting the engine after the vehicle was turned off for an extended period of time, or as a knocking noise when the engine is idling after it is warmed up A…
Bulletin 21B10-S2 · 2021-08-02
This noise might occur as a rattle when starting the engine after the vehicle was turned off for an extended period of time, or as a knocking noise when the engine is idling after it is warmed up A…
Bulletin 21B10 · 2021-04-03
A service bulletin is a manufacturer’s instruction to dealers. It is not a recall and not a finding about any particular car.
RECALLS ON THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION
36of 121 recall campaigns
Incorrect rear axle tail bearings may have been installed, which can result in rear wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.
Campaign 26V576000
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Campaign 26V402000
Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.
Campaign 26V375000
A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module (PCM) can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear.
Campaign 26V378000
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
Campaign 26V237000
Check any VIN for open recalls free at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In NHTSA complaints about the Ford F-150, owners most often describe rattling (608 complaints), clunking (302 complaints) and shuddering (259 complaints). These are word counts in written complaints, not confirmed faults, and one complaint can use several words.
When a Ford F-150 makes a rattle noise, what do owners say it is?
Among the 608 Ford F-150 complaints that use the word “rattle”, 80% also name the engine and 21% also name the transmission. It shows how owners connect the sound to a part of the car; it is not a diagnosis.
At what mileage do Ford F-150 engine and transmission complaints appear?
Of 3,930 Ford F-150 engine and transmission complaints that state a mileage, 38% were filed between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, and the median is 86,000 miles.
Has Ford issued service bulletins or recalls for the F-150 engine or transmission?
According to NHTSA, 547 service bulletins touch the engine or the transmission (2015–2026) and 36 of its 121 recall campaigns concern the engine or the transmission. A service bulletin is an instruction from the manufacturer to its dealers; it is not a recall and not a finding about any particular car. Check any VIN for open recalls free at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Can a sound check diagnose my F-150?
No. A sound check is not a diagnosis, because nobody has opened your engine. PulsCar’s free check analyses 30 seconds of audio and tells you what to ask a mechanic.
Check your F-150 by sound
Film the engine for 30 seconds, idling, hood open. Two independent AI engines analyse the sound and you see the result on screen: a health score, the systems the sound can speak about and what to ask a mechanic.
What this data can and cannot tell you. NHTSA complaints are unverified consumer reports. These are counts, not rates: we do not know how many Ford F-150 cars were sold or driven, so a higher count does not mean a worse car. A sound check is not a diagnosis, nobody has opened your engine. Data: NHTSA public database (nhtsa.gov), counted by PulsCar.
Safety first. If the engine overheats, the oil light is on or the car loses power while driving, stop and call a mechanic.