2015–2020 Ford F-150: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Recall 26V237000 (2015-2017 F-150): "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear." verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 26V237000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V237000), report received 14/04/2026, 1392935 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 26S28); NHTSA recall 26V237000 consequence: "Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.". NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 347 of 4355 complaints for the Ford F-150 MY2015-2017 have complaint text matching 'downshift' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)
• Recall 18V213000 (2017-2018 F-150 with 10-speed automatic): "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function." verified source
  System: Transmission (major) · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 18V213000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V213000), report received 04/04/2018, 142 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 18S09); NHTSA recall 18V213000 consequence: "Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash."
• Recall 17V652000 (2015-2017 F-150): "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: any, worse below 32°F
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V652000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V652000), report received 16/10/2017, 1101107 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 17S33); NHTSA recall 17V652000 consequence: "A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury."
• Recalls 17V053000 and 26V370000 (2017 F-150 with 8-inch productivity screen): "Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 trucks equipped with an eight-inch productivity screen. In these vehicles, the instrument cluster may lose power after the initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate." Recall 26V370000 covers 2017 F-150s "previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V053." verified source
  System: In-car electronics · Documented around: any, worse in cold weather
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V053000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V053000), report received 24/01/2017, 6792 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 17C01); NHTSA recall 26V370000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V370000), report received 09/06/2026, 4445 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 26C26); NHTSA recall 17V053000 consequence: "If the transmission gear position indicator fails to illuminate, the driver may be unable to tell the transmission shift position, increasing the risk of a crash or injury from unintended vehicle movement."
• Brake master cylinder recalls on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks: 20V332000 ("Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2017 F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may leak brake fluid into the brake booster."), expanded by 22V150000 (2016-2018 F-150) and 25V236000 (2017-2018 F-150) verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA recall 20V332000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V332000), report received 08/06/2020, 292311 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 20S31); NHTSA recall 22V150000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V150000), report received 11/03/2022, 195864 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 25V236000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V236000), report received 11/04/2025, 123611 units potentially affected per NHTSA (Ford 25S37); NHTSA recall 20V332000 consequence: "A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel and feel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, possibly requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash."
• Cam phaser problems reported by EcoBoost owners: rattle at start-up, rough idle or stalling commonly reported
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: 45,000-70,000
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 511 of 7855 complaints for the Ford F-150 MY2015-2020 have complaint text matching 'phaser' (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)
• Owners report the rear window shattering, some during remote start or rear defrost use; similar reports exist for earlier F-150 generations commonly reported
  System: Body integrity (noises/leaks) · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 185 of 7855 complaints for the Ford F-150 MY2015-2020 have complaint text matching rear/back window or rear/back glass within 80 characters of shatter or explod (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure). We found no recall covering rear window breakage on the 2015-2020 F-150 in NHTSA's recall database (checked 2026-10-23). The standard factory warranty, Ford's standard new-vehicle warranty (bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage; terms by model year are in the warranty booklet), applies within its time/mileage limits.
• SYNC/APIM infotainment faults — navigation/GPS failures, radio cutouts, unresponsive touchscreen commonly reported
  System: In-car electronics · Documented around: any
  Source: NHTSA complaints API (pulled 2026-10-23): 66 of 7855 complaints for the Ford F-150 MY2015-2020 have complaint text matching 'SYNC' (whole word) or 'APIM' (whole word) (case-insensitive keyword search; a keyword match is not a confirmed failure)

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-03. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-03. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.