P0171 on Ford vehicles
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA about Ford vehicles mention P0171 (System Too Lean Bank 1) - across 11 models. Below is where it shows up, by model and year.
Can you drive with it? Driveable short-term, but a lean engine runs hot - prolonged driving risks misfires and converter damage. Diagnose within a couple of weeks.
Symptoms, likely causes in order and realistic repair costs are on the main P0171 page - they do not differ much by brand. This page shows what is specific to Ford: which models and years actually report it.
Ford models reporting P0171
The number next to each year is how many NHTSA complaints for that car mention P0171. Owners rarely quote trouble codes when complaining, so real occurrence is many times higher - use these numbers to compare years, not as totals.
What Ford owners report
“Issue: Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.3L engine may exhibit an illuminated MIL in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with OTC P0171 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software level of the PCM. To correct this issue, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM to the latest software level using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FORS). Description: 2021-2023 F-150 3.3L: Reprogram The Appropriate Modules As Required By The Software Update And Service Procedure (Do Not Use With Any Other Labbr Operations) Ford has current recalls for this issue but my vehicle was not included.”2022 Ford F-150 · Apr 2025
“Ongoing issues with rough idle. Threw a couple generic lean codes (p0171 and p0174) that did not stay. Stored code p061a:00-28. On my third dealer. Vehicle randomly shut off at stop sign with no codes thrown whatsoever. Tech believes the issue is the throttlebody. Ford Corp says it passes their tests and will not warranty the replacement. Ford Corp Basically said I have to wait till total part failure. Shutting off in traffic is obviously dangerous.”2023 Ford Mustang · May 2024
“I purchased this F150 in November, 2023. The only code shown was a lean code, P0171. I removed the bed first to begin my inspection. Upon removing the original fuel tank, I discovered a gash in the top of the tank,about 1/8" wide by 3" long. It should have set a code like a missing gas cap would, but there was none. The gash appeared to be several years old due to the rust pitting. I believe the gash was a result of the cross member rubbing against the tank. The previous owner did not mention the defect. Fuel would have spilled out if the tank was completely filled. I did not find any service alerts for this though they may exist. The truck currently has 225k miles.”2003 Ford F-150 · Jan 2024
P0171 on other makes
Makes with enough NHTSA reports of P0171 for their own page.
Counts are NHTSA owner complaints whose text mentions P0171 - owner-reported and unverified. Always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.