7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$460
Average Mileage:
42,650 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replaced third brake light assembly (4 reports)
  3. applied clear silicone (2 reports)
  4. replace rear window (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #15

Dec 012018

F-150 XLT 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,652 miles

Headliner has a stain from leak. Relaced 3rd brake light seal and also added clear silicone.

- Blake R., Fresno, CA, US

problem #14

Aug 012013

F-150 XL 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Easy fix to a small, but potentially damaging problem.

I noticed a small amount of water was dripping from the passenger-side roof handle. Ignored it. Months later during a heavy downpour, noticed again. This time heard water slushing around in the bottom of the passenger side door frame (you know... where some of the electrical wires run). I then realized that the reason water was dripping down the handle was because the entire interior roof was saturated with water. Found out it was coming from the 3rd brake light fixture and applied clear silicone caulk. Fixed. Not thrilled with Ford since it would cost them next to nothing to have let us know and applied caulk. I'm assuming they are well aware.

Advice:

1. Apply caulk to 3rd/Middle brake light.

2. If you have this problem you likely have a water stained interior roof. Not sure how to fix that.

3. If you have this problem you likely have a damp interior. I used a couple old cotton socks and filled them with kitty litter and placed them in the back of my truck's interior. Dried out the interior air and got rid of excess moisture like a champ. Do it.

- Kenneth L., Tallahassee, US

problem #13

Oct 312011

F-150 XL 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

There is an irregularly-shaped watermark along the headliner that runs from the driver's side, under the rear window to the passenger side. I have not found any leakage in the rear compartment of the cab, nor on the seats or door panels, but it is obviously leaking from somewhere and I'm sure will eventually ruin the headliner.

- puptruk, Dolgeville, NY, US

problem #12

Dec 012013

F-150 Lariet

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

So Fords expensive warranty service doesn't correct or fix this know issue!!! My last Ford... Thanks

Rear window is always moist and the headliner is wet and stained. This truck is kept in a garage. its only has 52,000 miles and a 2010. Glad I didn't use it for work use. It might fall apart.

- Aaron F., Fayetteville, AR, US

problem #11

Apr 022014

F-150 XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The first time I had a leak was about 6 months after I bought the truck in August 2010. I took it to the dealer and they said it was the high brake light and claimed to have fixed it. It started leaking again later and after some online research I found that this was not unusual.

I removed the brake light and applied a bead of silicone as a gasket and that solved the problem. Later after my warranty was out a leak started again. This time the leak was in the back corner of the headliner of the driver side. I assumed that the problem was still the brake light since dealers still blamed the brake light. In frustration I used black duct tape to tape the entire window and brake light. Problem solved.

I think the tape eroded after a while and the leak started again. This time I decide to remove the headliner, spray down the back with a hose and track the leak. I find that the leak was not in the brake light but rather a spot in the corner of each window. I applied a bead of clear silicone around the entire window and problem solved. I am pissed because this seems to be a flawed design. or rather Ford could have sealed this 1/2 inch gap around the window themselves but to save a few bucks they don't.

I also have a problem with the fuel filler cup which is a really shockingly cheap piece of plastic and should no be on a truck that they claim to be Ford tough. They nickel and dime you with cheap parts to save a few dollars here and there instead of making it right. This is my fourth F150 and my last.

- Gregory S., Lancaster, TX, US

problem #10

Aug 092010

F-150 XLT 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

Bought the truck new in February of 10, in August the leak started. They told me it was the rear brake light and claimed to have fixed it and replaced my headliner. In 2014 at 80000 miles the leak has returned and the truck is no longer under warranty, ford will not fix the problem even though the issue started when the vehicle had 10000 miles and was under warranty. I realize the truck is no longer under warranty but due to the fact this problem began a few months after I bought the truck new I feel that it should be fixed no questions asked.

- John H., Smithville, TN, US

problem #9

Jul 082014

F-150 FX2 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,011 miles

Took truck to dealer with a leak in the rear interior. Dealer said it was probably third brake light, which isn't covered by Ford ESP. Further investigation determined it was actually the top left and top right of the rear window which was leaking. Ford dealer looked up that part and determined it also was not covered by Ford ESP. Ford dealer's proposed solution was to replace the rear window at a cost of several hundred dollars.

This is not something that resulted from damage or unusual circumstances. Ford is well aware of this problem and apparently hopes it doesn't happen before the normal bumper-bumper warranty expires. The Ford ESP is NOT bumper-bumper and definitely not worth the money.

- Mark P., Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

problem #8

Jun 212014

F-150 XTR V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,855 miles

The leak that occurs is at the corners on both sides in the rear seating area starting at the ceiling. this is ruining the upholstery on the ceiling and leaking down toward the headrest area. What a mess.....

- kimberleyellison, Saskatoon, SK, canada

problem #7

Aug 012013

F-150 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Purchased this used F 150 in Feb 2013, at end of Summer. Monsoon rains came then inside the vehicle started to feel like moist damp air and smelt like mildew. This happened on and off until Sept when we had several days of rain in a row and I noticed the threshold was wet and so was the rear corner of the headliner. The rear seat cushions on the drivers side and the storage box under the rear seat were all wet too. The more I looked the more I found, underneath the floor mat's, all 4 were sopping wet?

Took the truck to the local dealership, immediately was told "oh yeah this happens a lot, it's your third light above your rear window". OK, so now what? We will have to replace the entire light. So they did. Then I had to pay a detail shop to clean upholstery and carpets to remove mildew smell. That was $160,00. Two weeks later with a stained headliner and carpet pulling away from the floor boards, the shear force of their cleaning machine. Results, went thru the car wash assuming it was OK. Nope, it all flooded again. Takes five days to dry out interior, thank God we live in the west.

The dealership people also dented passenger door and placed two small scratches in the door. Now my husband says he will take the light assembly apart and calk with silicone all around the light. I guess we'll wait and see what happens next. This truck was in almost perfect shape when I got it and now it's not so perfect. This is probably why the guy in Idaho traded it in. I will update soon.

- Karlene W., Washington, UT, US

problem #6

Aug 122013

F-150 XLT 504

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

While riding home after a rain shower, my child who was riding in the right rear seat said water was pouring on her. I looked back and saw water literally pouring from the right corner above the rear window. The head liner was damp. I had notice a puddle of water on the seat before she got in but originally thought I had spilled water on the seat. I never considered that my 2010 F150 which is pampered and kept in a garage would have a leak. I searched online and noticed this is a common problem with Ford. I called the Ford customer service line and they told me to take it to the dealership for diagnostic at my expense since there is no current recall. What crappy customer service!! This will be my last Ford if they fail to respond appropriately and fix THEIR problem at THEIR expense.

- jerryj12, Denham Springs, LA, US

problem #5

Mar 102013

F-150 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I own a 2010 F-150 pickup. Over the weekend I started to have numerous water leaks in my truck. I had leaks near the rear window as well as down the driver’s side window and on the passenger window. I went home and quickly found numerous websites describing how these issues are very common for not only 2010 F-150s but numerous years. Apparently the seal around the third/upper break light is terrible and frequently causes leaks.

There is also an issue with the seal around the satellite radio antenna on top of the truck. This seal is in such bad condition that Ford actually announced a technical service bulletin (TSB 10- 4- 7) for it. As a result of all these leaks, I now have a water stained headliner.

I called the Bowen Scarff Ford dealer (Kent, WA) service department and described my problems with their service representative. The service rep actually told me these water leaks are “common problems.” Now obviously I was not surprised by this due to my research. I dropped off my truck yesterday and, after numerous leak tests were done, I was told the service cost (excluding a new headliner) would be $740 plus tax.

Now I don’t have a problem paying for something that I broke or damaged. But when I go online and find how common of a problem these malfunctions are, and then, have a Ford service rep essentially say “it’s a common problem” why should I be required to pay for it? Why should I be required to pay for a problem that Ford ADMITS is not only a common problem for their 2010 F-150 but numerous years? Shouldn’t Ford be putting quality products on their trucks?

To make it even worse, this dealership sold me this vehicle last April without even looking into TSB 10-4-7.

I was just contacted by a Ford rep (outside of the dealership) who told me we could “make a deal”, 15% off, equating to a little over $100 off. Are they crazy?

According to the Ford rep since my truck is beyond the initial 3 year / 36k warranty (even though I have an extended warranty) she is giving me a heck of a deal. We both know these issues aren’t wear and tear issues. My truck could have sat in a parking lot for 4 years with 1K miles on it and the antenna and break light would leak.

In my opinion that is a slap in the face.

I initially began sending numerous news stations in the Seattle the aforementioned statement. After I sent you this email I received a call from the manager of the Bowen Scaff Service Dept. This individual basically said that if I were to pursue talking to media then he would rescind the 15% discount. Is Bowen Scarff just a bully? Do I really have to give up my 1st Amendment Right just to get a discount?

During my conversation he said that the dealer is not the one who made the trucks, which I understand. But as I told him, they are a Ford dealer, they wear Ford uniforms, they represent the company, and they also sold me my truck.

I am just really upset with a company that can have their own employees selling products with parts they know are defective and simply wishing that these products fail after the 3 year / 30K factory warranty. And then when I call them to report the problem they act like it is not a big deal, typical common problem, then want nearly a thousand dollars to fix the problem. Why doesn't Ford put a quality break light/satelite antenna in the vehicle in the first place? Why does Ford continue to put defective third/upper break lights on their trucks when they know they are defective? In fact, I actually asked the Bowen Scarff rep this and he actually agreed with me!

I really want the millions of F-150 owners to see the potential issues they could be having without even knowing it.

- wildlife97, Kent, WA, US

problem #4

Aug 082012

F-150 King Ranch V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

Ford F150 king ranch. severe leak around third brake light soaking and staining leather seats and headliner. dealer agreed to fix light even though out of warranty. they cleaned seats and headliner, but still stained. service manager immediately asked if this was a 2010. obviously thy have seen this before. Factory declined to replace rear seats or headliner even though this is a design defect. On close inspection of the seats I could tell this problem had been going on for some time, i just never noticed till it got bad. Took it to insurance Co. total cost 3400$ to replace seat cover and headliner. Factory complaint line completely unhelpful.

- T P., Tallahassee, FL, US

problem #3

Feb 292012

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

I can not believe a $45K truck that is 26 months on the road has a leak. Ford engineers know this is a problem and hope your warranty runs out before they take action. List price was $200 to fix and they want me to feel better after discounting to $150 for a 26 month old truck leaking water around a brake light they poorly positioned?

- Gregory H., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #2

Oct 262011

F-150 XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,400 miles

Rear window leaking badly during rain storms. Took to dealer and they replaced the whole rear window. Next day it rained and window leaked worse than ever. Back to the dealer a second time. They replaced the brake light over the rear window and said they checked it and found no more leaking. Next day rain again and more leaking. Now they need to replace the headliner as well. Looks like Ford doesn't know how to fix this problem that seems to have been around for years. Maybe Ford needs some new engineers and maybe its time to dump this truck and buy a Tundra.

Update from Nov 23, 2011: Truck back into the dealer for the third time. Mechanic told me he was going to pull the window again and use a rope gasket to seal it. They also agree that the headliner needs to be replaced. Heavy rain last nite and when I checked it this morning there were no leaks (maybe the 3rd time was the charm). I will drive it for ~1 month to see if any leaks develop, if not, another appointment to replace the headliner. Everything is under warranty so no out of pocket cost. Have to say that at least I have been treated with respect and understanding of this problem from the dealer. Hopefully problem solved---we'll see in a few weeks.

- William P., Wilbraham, MA, US

problem #1

Mar 252011

F-150 STX 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,500 miles

Ok, I just told all of ya'll how I was one of those that got a good screwing on my new truck (ie: vibration) A couple of weeks ago we got some rain down here in south Ga ( rare this time of year) and I notice a slight leak in the left (facing front) upper corner of my rear window. Last week while going south on I-75 out of Atlanta, I hit a good thunder bumper and noticed leaking again around the rear window, (from the inside facing backwards), this time, almost all the way across the back. I'm debating on taking the truck to the dealer for repair, (again see my story under vibrations) or just wait and see if the damn window just "blows out"!

- Bobby M., Glenwood, GA, US