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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,121 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Ford F-150 engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #103

Jan 192024

F-150

  • 191,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted to first gear, and the vehicle abruptly decelerated, almost causing a crash. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 191,000.

- Swanquarter, NC, USA

problem #102

Sep 032023

F-150

  • miles
Timing chain rattle/ pre mature failure

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #101

Jan 052023

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle started jerking. Additionally, when the brake pedal was released, the vehicle hesitated to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle then accelerated independently. The contact stated that the check engine, seat belt, and ABS warning lights illuminated after the failure and then turned off independently. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The contact stated that their truck is not on the recall list although other F-150s were repaired for the same two issues.

- Georgetown, MS, USA

problem #100

Jan 262021

F-150

  • 105,109 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Ford F150. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle started spinning without any warning. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and the vehicle was towed. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and the helicoil was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and he stated that the motor needed a sealing head. The manufacturer was contacted, and they advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 105,109.

- Byhalia, MS, USA

problem #99

Dec 022022

F-150

  • miles
When you start it up it would run good then battery light and a wrench would show up on dash then the throttle would drop down to a maximum speed would be 20 miles an hour.Battery would be dead when you would try and start it.Took it to a mechanic he could not do a diagnostic check because computer had been erased.I have been stranded multiple times.Going down busy highway unable to go faster than twenty miles an hour.Had to be jumped twice in a few hours still only able to go twenty miles an hour, then battery died while going twenty miles and hour.Engine light along with battery light and wrench symb

- Clayton, IN, USA

problem #98

Jan 022023

F-150

  • miles
Issue: Abrupt engine shutoff while driving at high speed. Occurance: While driving on an interstate highway at approximately 70MPH in far left lane, the vehicle abruptly shutoff. With no power, the power steering also did not function, however, had enough speed to safely pull onto the grass median. It appears the problem is with a known issue to Ford, which is the fuse for the fuel pump (#27 in the engine compartment PDB) will melt and cause either intermittent or complete failure even while driving at high speeds. Given the conditions I was extremely lucky to have been able to pull off, and then back on to the roadway safely. Ford has a fix available Fuel Pump Jumper Harness Kit. Kit Terminal Part #: WT56872 (14293) as a result of this problem, yet it seems there is no active recall for this to be installed. WHY"?" This could have resulted in multiple deaths and injuries for a single incident - I think that's unacceptable and hope NHTSA will concur and compel a recall to fix this issue.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #97

Aug 152022

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The system that failed was in the steering/gear shaft. The shaft is failing due to corrosion/rust. The vehicle has erratic steering when turning left or right. The steering does not rebound making it difficult to steer the vehicle which can cause a serious crash. I have had the problem with the steering and almost running off into a ditch. Trying to regain steering is difficult as it seems it gets stuck in position (left or right) and heavy when manually trying to control or correct the steering. The engine intake manifold suffer from the same safety issues that causes the corrosion or rusting of the manifold bolts making it very difficult to maintenance /repair cracked manifolds in the vehicle. The culprit as Ford knows it is salty road conditions. I live in Michigan where salt is applied to the roads often to keep roadways open for travel in the winter months. Ford has found remedies for newer model F-150s that suffer the same issues but has not offered remedy for older models such as mine. These trucks should be afforded the same recall privileges as newer vehicles.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #96

Mar 202022

F-150

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the starter would fail intermittently. The contact sprayed starter fluid in the intake and eventually the vehicle would start. The contact stated that fuse #27 for the fuel pump relay was melted and burned in half. The contact spoke with a certified mechanic who suggested that the fuse and fuel pump control module may both need to be replaced. The contact replaced the fuel pump control module however, failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who confirmed the failure with fuse # 27. The contact was informed that the fuse needed to be replaced and the fuel pump control module might also need to be replaced again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #95

Dec 282021

F-150

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after parking and then returning to the vehicle, while attempting to restart the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power junction box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #94

Mar 232022

F-150

  • 65,320 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, he slowed down and when he made a right turn, the vehicle stopped completely. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to get the vehicle safely in the parking lot. The failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. There was no failure found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,320.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #93

Oct 052020

F-150

  • 47,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

47000 miles on truck. Both catalyst converters have failed within 1000 miles due to the way they are constructed. Internals of converters have two elements in which rear element appears to just be cemented in and will come loose internally. When this happens it can rotate inside housing and not let exhaust gases exhaust correctly causing loss of power.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #92

Apr 232020

F-150

  • 201,000 miles
Ford's 5.4L 3 valve engines installed in their 2004-2010 trucks have, unfortunately, established a reputation for premature failure. Owners of these vehicle's report hearing a ticking noise from the engine accompanied by a loss of power and often a "check engine" light. Research has revealed that the cause of these issues is usually attributed to a failure of the cam phasers and excessive oil clearance in the cam journals. My vehicle shut off mid drive and has had all issues described above. It started with the ticking noise first then the check engine light next and then major loss of power. That went on for about 3 months before the first time it shut off mid drive.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #91

Dec 022019

F-150

  • 176,000 miles
Was driving my F-150 to work on a city street at a low speed less than 35 mph when the truck stalled. It coasted to work, when I got off I put oil in it and it started and drove nearly home. Once I got home almost to my driveway the vehicle stalled again. I opened the hood and noticed there were issues with spark plug number 2. I replaced it and now there is a hole in the piston and a dropped valve. This vehicle is needing a whole new engine. Diagnosed by diers Ford. Vehicle not repaired.

- Fremont, NE, USA

problem #90

Aug 152019

F-150

  • 105,000 miles
On my truck the passenger side exhaust manifold has rusted and the rear bolts have rusted off. This has caused the manifold to leak right at the exhaust port. This leak fills the cab of the vehicle with exhaust fumes. It is also leaking pre-catalyst exhaust. The fuels in the cab are a serious safety issue and well as an emissions issue. Research on the internet shows this is a very common problem on Ford trucks of this era. Talking to Ford about this they offer a very small discount on the service if I have it done at the dealer. I have had trucks for years and never had a problem like this before. My truck is a 2010 Ford F150 with 106,000 miles on it.

- Cheslea, MI, USA

problem #89

Dec 062019

F-150

  • 136,000 miles
While driving the vehicle the vehicle has very rough shifts, and not only that but while stopping or accelerating after a stop and the vehicle has been stationary for small time, the vehicle jerks with a rough shift. Also while trying to drive at an accelerated speed on a highway such as 55-70 the vehicle beings to shake more so the transmission area as though the gears are not shifting properly, and as this occurs my check engine light comes on.

- Camp Lejeune, NC, USA

problem #88

Nov 302019

F-150

  • 120,000 miles
The normal camshaft phaser issues are occurring. Loud knocking, vibrating while idling, and general rattling from the motor when the truck isn't above 1000 RPM's. while this may not directly cause accidents, in intense rattling and knocking can cause other issues to arise which in turn can cause major safety concerns for the NHTSA. If Ford doesn't decide to take on this issue and repair it, then it can be expected that every 3 valve Ford motor made since 2005 will eventually succumb to these major issues. As we all know Ford has had issues designing motors in the past, primarily the 6.0, 6.4 and 5.4 motor that I currently own, but it is time for Ford to step up and handle the mechanical problems that their designers negligence caused. It is not too much to ask that an auto manufacturer stands by their product and repairs or replaces the faulty part when the time comes. Additionally in the part you wherein you asked for the date of the incident, I will put the most recent occurrence but please note that this issue is reoccurring and you should expect knocking and vibration every time you drive.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

problem #87

Oct 182019

F-150

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. While driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. After researching the internet, the contact read that the spark plug blew out of the cylinder head due to a lack of thread in the cylinder to hold the spark plug under pressure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Freedom Ford Lincoln Inc (151 woodland dr sw, wise, va 24293, (866) 680-5107) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Coeburn, VA, USA

problem #86

Jul 262019

F-150

  • 127,000 miles
While driving on the highway the engine shut off. Upon inspection, fuse #27 burned out instead of blowing. This fuse controls the fuel pump, and when it burned up the fuel pump lost power at highway speed. Upon research it is a very common problem with the 2009-2014 year models and Ford issued a tsb but not a recall. I hadn't known about this when purchasing the truck used, and it is a very serious safety issue.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #85

Feb 062019

F-150

  • 145,000 miles
My 2010 4.6 2wd shuts down while driving at 40mph on the street. I've changed so many things and now just ordered thottle body yo see if it helps. No one can diagnose this problem because no check engine light. I lose power steering and all power to the vehicle. This needs to be recalled by Ford because it is very dangerous and almost caused me to have accidents with my kids inside. (xxxxx) VIN parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #84

Mar 022018

F-150

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. While driving at unknown speeds, the contact heard a loud ticking sound coming from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to hawk Ford of St. Charles (located at 2525 E main St, St. Charles, il 60174, (630) 584-1800) where it was diagnosed that the timing solenoid, exhaust manifold bolt, and timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

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