Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - 2021+ F150

Ford Engineering & Ford Extended warranty - both worthless

King Blue 2021 — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:54:10 GMT

My current truck is a 2021 King Ranch (previously owned a 2012 and 2017 King Ranch). I have 52,000 miles on it, and have the extended Ford Warranty

Background:
Over 6 months ago, my phone quit connecting to Apple Car play wirelessly. If you plug it into the USB port, it will work, but at times, the app running on the big screen, such as WAZE, will zoom in and then out several times quickly while you are driving along. Wireless is supposed to be wireless. My phone is not always plugged in.

In January 2026, i brought my truck to the dealer where I purchased it to have the tires balanced and rotated, and to fix the Car Play not connecting. I was called later that day and told it was ready for pickup. I went to the dealership the next morning (a Saturday) and they had not fixed the Apple Car Play issue. I had specifically told the service rep when I dropped it off about the issue, told her that I had read online that it is probably something called a APIM issue and to check it out. They brought around my truck and when the Car Play would not connect, I had them go get a manager out to show him. He tried to hook up his iphone to my truck; no luck. The service tech told me that they couldn't "replicate" the issue (WTH??!!). Manager says I will have to make another appointment to bring my truck back and they would call to set it up. Never heard back from them. Dealership also has gone through an ownership change, so perhaps that is part of their issue. Anyway, not going back to these clowns.

After not having this issue resolved, I finally found time to contact another dealer (actually about 5 miles closer to my home) and called to inquire about having this issue taken care of. The lady tells me that I can make an appointment to bring my truck in for diagnosis, but they don't know how many days it will take to do the test, or I can bring my truck on a Saturday morning (first come, first serve) and they will run a diagnostic on the truck to determine the problem, and then can set an appointment afterwards to have it fixed.

I brought my truck on Saturday, April 18 to the dealer. I wait about 2 hours for them to run the test and tell me that they need me to bring it back to run additional tests, but they think it is the APIM (and I had told them that) controller that was causing an issue. Service Tech tells me that they have 2 engines to replace that week ahead of me, but would call me to schedule a date to bring my truck back. Okay, fair enough, I take my truck and leave.

I had not heard from the dealer after several days, so I contact the service tech and ask him on Wednesday, April 22, when can I bring my truck in. He says he would check and let me know. 2 days later on Friday, April 24, he asks if I can bring it on May 5. I tell him no, can I bring it the following day on May 6 instead. He tells me that is fine and I bring it to the dealer and leave it with them.

I check my app daily to see where my truck is located. They put it on the back lot after i dropped it and it sat there and didn't move. On Monday, May 11, I go to the dealer to see the service tech to inquire about my truck. He is not there, but a very nice young lady says she would try to help me. Looks in the computer and can't tell me anything. Asks me to take a seat while she goes to find the automotive tech to get an update. After about 10 or 15 minutes, she comes back and says auto tech says they need to run more tests. More tests? The truck has been on the back lot since May 5 and not moved. Service tech calls me the next day to tell me that they are going to continue run tests and are waiting on the Ford Engineers to give them instructions on what to do next.

My truck, according to my app, does not get into the service area until Friday, May 15, and has not moved since then. At least I don't think it has, since the app will not update, so perhaps they have killed the computer or some other function to disable where it is. I text Service Tech today to inquire as to where the repair stands, and he informs me that the Wireless Projector is not working (duh, when you try to connect to Car Play that is the message that comes up that I had told them about when I dropped it off initially and even showed them a photo of the message). Informs me that they are waiting on the Ford Engineers to determine the next steps. Says I can come pick the truck back up until Ford tells them the next steps, but if they have to run another test, I have to bring it back in and leave it again and wait for the test to be run. As of this afternoon, service tech advises that they are still waiting for the Ford Engineers to respond with either approval to fix the vehicle or run yet another test.

Let me say this: the service tech has been very nice. Not as responsive as I would have liked, but friendly and I think trying to help. His explanation is that they have to email Ford each day and wait for a response before they can take the next step. It's taken 2 weeks to get this far.

What good is an extended warranty if Ford will not address or fix a problem timely? I am fortunate in that I have other means of transportation available to me, but what if you don't? How many of you can go without your vehicle for 2 weeks? What if you depend on your vehicle for your livelihood?

Some of you might be thinking that it is only a "technology issue with Car Play" and not that big of a deal since the car can still be driven. The point is that I spent money with Ford on an extended warranty to cover issues such as this, and brought my truck in to get it fixed. What if my truck computer just dies completely and none of the electronics work? Am i out of a vehicle for 2 weeks or more until the Ford Engineers decide what to do?

There was a time when automotive companies cared about their products and their customers. You do not build brand loyalty with nonsense like this. And when someone asks me how I like my truck, they are going to get an earful from me. Perhaps since I am past the "traditional" warranty period, this issue doesn't get reported in the reliability numbers that get published, so they are not concerned with fixing the issue. Or maybe they hope I will just give up and go away. I would like a Ford Engineer to be as inconvenienced as I have been without a vehicle to get to experience what I am going through.

In talking with some of my peers that own Ford trucks, I have heard several stories about engine and transmission issues, and the nightmare of trying to work through it with Ford and their warranty process. I do not recall at any point in the sales pitch to purchase an extended warranty any mention of "the Ford Engineers will dictate and decide when and if they will address any warranty claims, and be prepared to wait for them to email the dealer while you are without a vehicle."

I am very disappointed in this whole fiasco, and it is going to be very difficult to ever consider purchasing another Ford product. Heaven forbid that I have a catastrophic failure of any sort with the truck and expect any sort of service from Ford with this warranty. Think twice before you purchase a Ford product. I know that I will be hard-pressed to shell out $75K+ on a new Ford truck in the future.

What Do You Tow With Your F-150

RGrew176 — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:10:29 GMT

I tow my 2025 Godfrey Xperience 2286 SFLX pontoon boat all over the state of Michigan exploring inland and Great Lakes. Fun times.

Update messed up my dashboard

93txson — Fri, 15 May 2026 20:02:12 GMT

Recently did and update on my 2021 Larait and now the transmission temp icon is missing. I've never had a problem with the trans temp as I don't tow anything. This just pissed me off as it screws up the look of the dashboard. Any way to reinstall it?

Looking for 2024 2025 F-150 owners to help test a new 6.5ft bed mat design

TreadAuto — Fri, 15 May 2026 07:38:10 GMT

We've been getting good internal results, but real-world truck use is always different, so we'd like to get feedback from actual owners before we finalize everything.

Fitment target:

2024-2026 Ford F-150
6.5ft bed
not designed for trucks with drop-in bedliners

Mostly interested in hearing about:

fit and coverage
how it stays in place
hauling/tool use (optional)
cleanup after daily use (optional)
anything that could be improved (optional)

No sales pitch here, just trying to get honest feedback from people who actually use their trucks.

If anyone is interested in testing one and sharing some install/use feedback to us inprivate, feel free to reply or send me a message.

Appreciate all the useful info this forum always shares.

Angela
TreadAuto

Fuel Leak When Engine Runs

2020GridPrisoner — Sun, 10 May 2026 19:06:23 GMT

My 2021 F-150 suddenly started leaking fuel today. I noticed a strong gasoline smell after leaving my driveway. I stopped and turned engine off and saw fuel dripping off the bottom of the tank. I restarted the engine and fuel sprayed out from above the tank. No signs of any leak where I had been parked before driving. Any likely causes to consider? I�m going to get it towed to mechanic�s but am curious.

Fuel while towing with a powerboost 3.5 turbo.

Jartmess4 — Thu, 07 May 2026 22:04:04 GMT

Should I be using a high octane fuel while I'm towing a 6500lb travel trailer with an F150 powerboost with the 3.5 Turbo?

Ground for Charging Battery

smokemangrp — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:12:33 GMT

Sometimes my truck sits long enough that I receive notification from the app that remote access is being disabled to conserve battery power. The last time this happened I attached both charger leads directly to the battery. I later learned that I bypassed the Battery Management System, resulting in weird voltage readings. I charged the battery directly again to 100% then reset the BMS. The voltage readings are now normal.

There doesn�t appear to be any beefy chassis grounds near the battery for the negative clamp. Looking closer at the ground assembly on the battery I think I can use the metal piece with the hole in it (see photo). Google tells me the FOMOCO black box under that piece is a BMS sensor.

Is that the best place to clamp the ground from the charger?

Who's planning to bite the hook?

tseekins — Tue, 05 May 2026 19:21:00 GMT

Ford is clearly very hungry and perhaps showing a slight desperation to move inventory.

The Ford friends and family is equivalent to A&Z plans except you get to pay the enormous doc fees. Ultimately this is a better purchasing option than X plan.

The days of 20 and 22% off MSRP on an F150 are nearly gone unless you find that one rare year old never sold unit. The margins are shrinking, rates are still high, extended warranties are high and even though used car values are starting to recover, the trade in values are still unattractive.

Unless you're in a must have right now situation, make them come at you hard with generous trade values, steeper discounts on the vehicle that you're shopping for and get as creative as they are before signing your hard earned money away for the 36 to 84 months. If you're the rare cash buyer then disregard.

Don't let the dealer make you think that this is it and if you don't buy now, you'll lose out.

If they can give up their hold back money now, they can do it all year long. Remember, there will be an independence day sale and a model year end sale.

BE PATIENT

Soap box mode over.

Disable reverse brake �assist�

vxed — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:26:44 GMT

Seriously, for my particular situation/application it’s more dangerous than helpful, is there any way to do it?

Figured it out. For those wondering, it’s on the touchscreen > driver assist > reverse brake assist

ISO NW Chicago Suburbs 2024/25 F150 with Power Running Boards

rcompart — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:24:56 GMT

I'm working on a 6th Gen Bronco project and I am trying to create an aftermarket power running board solution that integrates with the infotainment system and I need someone with a 2024 or 2025 F150 with power running boards to let me scan some signals on their vehicle. This would directly translate into something that would also work for the F150 and possibly 250/350 crowd as well. I'm willing to compensate the person letting me scope their vehicle with free choice adult beverages or some of the best home grown pork you'll find anywhere (Hint, hint, life altering bacon and dry aged chops... and I literally mean that.) I'm in Mount Prospect so hopefully you'd be somewhat close by.

Take care and thanks in advance!

2027 "Update" video

6.2caribou — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:16:35 GMT

Caught this YouTube video last night. Purportedly a new V8 engine and the Godzilla are coming, along with greater tow ratings and a ton of other changes. What I didn't catch was any mention of availability of an increase in bed length for the club cab version. A bed that's larger than a wheel barrow would make the F150 a viable option for a lot of us.

Any cool ways to store drawbar?

Hwk-I-St8 — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:10:37 GMT

I tow from time to time but I cannot leave the drawbar in the receiver because my truck just barely fits in the garage. With the draw bar in place, the door can't close. I've been storing it in an under-seat storage bin I installed, but it occurred to me that it would be really dangerous in an accident. The last thing I need is a 10lb piece of steel flying around the cabin.

I could store it in the garage, but I like to keep it with me as there are times where I've had unplanned need for it. Are there any cool ways to store it in the bed or something?

question on blue cruise

cullenkyla — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:24:12 GMT

When I set my blue cruise on my 2026 after a few miles it tells me to keep my eyes on the road. I'm focused on the road but that doesn't matter it starts tapping the brake. Is this something that I'm doing wrong or should I take it to the dealer.

Decals

Bumble2019 — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:05:22 GMT

I was putting some locking doors on the little cubbies in the bed yesterday and I stopped to look at the truck.

I noticed the 4x4 decal and realized I hate them .... LOL. Anyone have a sure fire way to remove them without tearing up the paint?

Rims Damaged Need Paint

MYF250GH — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:58:20 GMT

I just noticed that the �Professional� tire shop possibly used a grinder to remove the tape weights while rebalancing tires. This has been taken down to bare aluminum in spots and now needs paint.
Has anyone ever seen a shop remove tape weights like this? And any recommendations on touch up paint? This is a 2021 Lariat with the Sport black out option.