About this problem
Modern engines use an electronic throttle: the gas pedal sends a signal to a computer, which opens the throttle with a motor. If a sensor, the throttle body or the wiring gives a bad signal, the computer protects the engine by cutting power. Drivers report the truck suddenly slowing to a crawl, a wrench or check engine light, and losing the ability to accelerate in traffic.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford F-150 since 2012, 1,281 (6.8%) describe loss of power while driving, the second most reported problem we track on the F-150. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2016 model years, and the 2013 drew the most, with 274. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 29,000 and 105,000 miles. 8 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Ford has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners report the F-150 suddenly losing power while driving, with the truck going into a low-power limp mode and a wrench light on the dash. Complaints are heaviest on 2012 and 2013 trucks, when the electronic throttle body was a known weak point, and later reports come up on 2016 trucks as well.
How it gets fixed
Ford replaced throttle bodies under a recall and service campaign on some trucks. Dealers can also update the engine software. Check the VIN for completed recalls.
Typical cost: Recall repairs are free. A throttle body replacement out of warranty is about $400 to $800.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"While traveling at highway speed (cold winter morning), with cruise control on, started to climb hill, engine began to throttle up, then the truck began to shake violently, engine lost power. Shut off cruise control and coasted onto shoulder."
2012 Ford F-150, 15,000 miles
"Was accelerating entering interstate i95 north bound from an on ramp and suddenly my vehicle lost power and began to stall and shutter. The truck rapidly lost power plus speed and a tractor trailer truck almost ran in to the back of me."
2013 Ford F-150, 2,805 miles
"I was recently pulling a travel trailer down a mountain pass with my 2016 F150 with the 3.5l EcoBoost engine. The vehicle went into limp mode losing power to the motor, the travel trailer started 'fish tailing'!!"
2016 Ford F-150, 94,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Ford has sent dealers 6 bulletins that mention this problem on the F-150. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Some 2021-2023 F-150 non-Lightning vehicles may exhibit reduced power and/or lack of acceleration above 4000 revolutions per minute (RPM) and/or not being able to shift above 4000 RPM.
Some 2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may experience a lack/loss of power with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 in the powertrain control module (PCM).
2017 F150 and raptor vehicles equipped with a 3.5l gtdi engine may have loss of power/performance with dtc's p0244,p25b4,p0248 and p25b6.
Some 2015-2016 F-150, c-max, Edge, mks, taurus, and flex and 2016 Expedition, Explorer, Escape, Fusion, Mustang, mkz, mkx, navigator, transit and transit connect vehicles equipped with a 2.0l, 2.5l, 3.5l or 3.7l gasoline engine...
Ford: some trucks have lost power due to possible intake tube at throttle body not properly retention and positioning.
Government investigations
Engineering analysis EA23002 · 2021, 2022 · opened Sep 2023, closed Oct 2024
Preliminary evaluation PE13018 · 2012, 2013 · opened May 2013, closed Apr 2014
Preliminary evaluation PE24019 · 2018, 2022 · opened Jul 2024, closed Sep 2025
Before you buy a F-150
- Ask whether the throttle body recall work was done.
- Drive at highway speed and accelerate hard once; the truck should pull smoothly.
- Check for a wrench light on the dash.
Questions
Which Ford F-150 years have loss of power while driving?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2016 model years. The 2013 drew the most, with 274 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 64,000 miles, and half reported it between 29,000 and 105,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Recall repairs are free. A throttle body replacement out of warranty is about $400 to $800.