Ford F-150 Common Problems

A Temporary Series of Articles
For the next two weeks we will cover a series of articles on auto repair that focuses on repair advice from the staff of Haynes repair manuals. In this piece, we will learn what common problems you may experience with your used Ford F-150 built between 2004 and 2014.

Why DIY or Verify Your Repairs?
It’s a fact of life: whether you are the DIY type or a truck owner who depends on the honesty and competency of having someone else do your repairs for you, owning a used vehicle is going to cost you money, time, and a certain degree of aggravation.

As a way to cut costs, take some satisfaction in your vehicle ownership, and ensure that you are not being scammed, the good folks at Haynes have been the go-to repair manual guys for a good number of years that many car and truck drivers have counted on for repair instruction and advice.

The value of owning one of their manuals particular for your vehicle is that it can help you not only identify what part is where on your vehicle, but how to go about diagnosing where the problem likely lies, how to remove the affected component, and how to install a new part. Just what the DIY shade tree mechanic counts on.

For non-DIY owners, the manuals are a good way to understand what repairs are recommended by a mechanic or clipboard-carrying service technician so that car and trick owners can take some control of repairs and verify whether a repair needs to be done…and if it was done right. A little further investigation can also help you determine if the estimated repair cost is in the ballpark of what is typical.

The Value of This List
The value of this summarized list is that while it does not go into depth on repairs, it does alert you to potential problems common to the F-150 and can serve those considering buying a used F-150 built between 2004 and 2014.

That said, here is a list of common Ford F-150 problems summarized from the Haynes website.

Ford F-150 Common Problems

1. An audible moan from the transmission: According to the Haynes staff, “This problem afflicts two-wheel-drive examples and concerns the driveshaft center bearing. The repair involves jacking up the vehicle and checking whether or not there is a 19mm shin in the driveshaft center bearing. If there is, it must be removed.”

2. An audible click from the steering rack: Haynes notes that some F-150s’ suffer from a noticeable click coming from the steering column while driving, which they attribute to a worn upper intermediate shaft in the steering column. Accordingly, this is a DIY task that is “…covered in depth in the Haynes F 150 manual, so you have nothing to fear here.”

3. A saggy headliner: Although not an immediate repair issue, having a sagging headliner can be annoying. According to Haynes, this is an issue on certain non-sunroof models built between 2012 and 2013 and can occur either at the front of the cab or just above the rear window. Fortunately, this is an easy fix per their manual’s instructions.

4. Air-conditioning/ climate control noise: Haynes notes that some owners have experienced grinding noise coming from the dash when switching from one mode to another with the AC system. The problem lies with a vent motor and flap that are insufficiently lubricated, which can be easily remedied following a Haynes F-150 manual that explains how to take the affected parts out and relubricate them for quieter operation.

And finally…

For additional news related to the Ford F-150, here are a few articles for your consideration:

• Ford Mechanic Reminds Owners of Faulty Ford F-150 Transmission Problem

• Ford F-150 Transmission Test Owners Can Do While Driving

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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