2010 Ford F-150: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 842 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (16% of complaints); the 2008 and 2009 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Feb 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 842 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 154,800, and at the time of a Carfax report check, it was discovered that the mileage was 246,325.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Purchased a 2010 Ford F-150 that was fraudulently advertised and sold as a 2014 Ford F-150 with 68,000 miles. The odometer displayed approximately 66,000 miles at time of purchase. An independent mechanic at DTX Automotives confirmed the vehicle actually has approximately 210,000 real miles. The seller presented a Carfax report belonging to a completely different vehicle to conceal the true mileage and year. The vehicle is available for inspection. The odometer discrepancy was confirmed by the mechanic via diagnostic scan. A police report was filed with XXX, Case No. XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
“While sitting at school drop off in the morning the passenger side of my rear 3 piece power sliding window spontaneously shattered while my 2 year old daughter was sitting under it. I examined the outside of the window and there were no impacts. The rear window defroster was turned on at the time. No lights or fuses blew. Searching online this is a known problem and Ford has discontinued the window so I am stuck without a rear window currently. I've tried 2 separate glass companies and talked with the ford dealer I purchased it from.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 114,500. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was advised to perform Carfax search regarding the vehicle. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 282,262.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2025
“My truck won't shift into 3rd gear. It hesitates when idling. When you accelerate it shudders. After a certain rbm it goes.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2025
“Rear view mirror backup camera flickers and goes on and off while in reverse, sometimes with the screen remaining blank. This can reduce or eliminate the drivers view of what is behind presenting a safety hazard. The driver is unable to see objects behind them. Ford currently has a recall for backup cameras with the same problem on many other Ford Model vehicles. However, the 2010 Ford F150 is not currently on a recall. This is the SECOND 2010 Ford F150 that I have owned that has had this issue and the internet is full of people posting of the same exact issue with the F150.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Nov 2025
“engine shout off while in travel. heavy traffic ,crazy driver's. no warning . nothing filed ... tow truck returned truck to home. no light's or warning. repair by owner. still incomplete.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to 1st gear, and the service vehicle soon warning light soon illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the mechatronic unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,587.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“The contact's wife owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 80 MPH. The contact stated that the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where DTC: C1440 (Pressure Transducer Main/Primary Signal Faulted) was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact provided the DTC: C1440 to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 131,591.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2025
“Brake fluid is leaking out of the master cylender and into the brake booster. Causing low brake fluid in the resivore. And resulting in no brakes. There are recalls for this issue with the 2013 modles. This should be extended to the 2010 modles.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL USAGE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE INITIALLY NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IF ANY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE OR FAILS TO RETURN TO THE STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTIVATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECT MODULE. ONCE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF EACH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION, THE DEALER WILL EITHER ADD A SPRING EMBOSSMENT REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Ford F-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 842 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2010 Ford F-150. The most complained-about area is electrical system (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Ford F-150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Ford F-150 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:door. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.