Understanding the NHTSA Data: What It Is and What It Cannot Tell You
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the U.S. federal agency responsible for vehicle safety regulation. Its public database at nhtsa.gov tracks two key data streams: recall campaigns, which are manufacturer-initiated safety corrections required or prompted by NHTSA findings, and owner complaints, which are self-reported submissions from individual drivers. Because complaints are voluntary and unverified, their volume often reflects how many vehicles are on the road rather than an absolute defect rate — a million-selling truck like the F-150 will naturally accumulate more complaints than a low-volume sports car even if its reliability is comparable. Recall data, by contrast, represents official determinations that a safety defect exists. All data in this article comes directly from the NHTSA public API, retrieved on 2026-07-13.
2024 Ford F-150 Recall Campaigns: A Detailed Look
The 2024 Ford F-150 carries ten recall campaigns in the NHTSA database as of the retrieval date. For a full-size pickup truck in its segment, this is a notably long list, though it is important to recognize that several campaigns overlap with other Ford and Lincoln models, suggesting systemic supplier or manufacturing process issues rather than F-150-specific design flaws. Every remedy listed below is provided free of charge at a Ford dealership. If you own a 2024 F-150, check your VIN at nhtsa.gov to confirm which campaigns apply to your specific vehicle.
| Campaign # | Date | Component | Core Issue | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24V329000 | 10/05/2024 | Steering Column | Incorrect fastener on steering column lower shaft may cause steering component separation and loss of steering control | Dealers replace lower steering shaft fastener |
| 24V486000 | 28/06/2024 | Windshield | Windshield may not be properly bonded and could detach during a crash, violating FMVSS 212 | Dealers remove and reinstall windshield |
| 24V851000 | 20/12/2024 | Engine Oil/Lubrication (3.5L GTDI) | Misaligned engine cup plug can cause a rapid oil leak | Dealers inspect and replace cup plug if necessary |
| 24V852000 | 08/11/2024 | Airbag Warning Label | Airbag warning label may be missing from dashboard, violating FMVSS 208 | Ford mails replacement labels to owners |
| 25V022000 | 17/01/2025 | Steering Gear Assembly | Incorrect rack in steering gear assembly may cause gears to fracture | Dealers replace the full steering gear assembly |
| 25V164000 | 14/03/2025 | Automatic Transmission Valve Body | Incorrectly machined transmission valve body can cause reverse gear failure or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral | Dealers replace transmission main control valve body |
| 25V198000 | 28/03/2025 | Engine Oil/Lubrication (3.5L GTDI) | Misaligned engine cup plug causing rapid oil leak (expanded scope of 24V851000) | Dealers inspect and replace cup plug if necessary |
| 25V315000 | 09/05/2025 | Rearview Camera Software | Software error may cause rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or fail to display | APIM software update via dealer or over-the-air |
| 25V512000 | 08/08/2025 | Rear Axle Hubs | Rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, damaging axle hub splines (Trailer Tow Max Duty package, 9.75-inch heavy duty axle) | Dealers replace left and right rear axle shaft assemblies |
| 26V104000 | 20/02/2026 | Integrated Trailer Brake Control | Trailer module may lose communication with vehicle, potentially causing loss of trailer brake and turn signal lights | Integrated trailer module software update via dealer or OTA |
Recall Analysis: What Each Major Issue Means
Steering (24V329000 and 25V022000): Two separate steering recalls on the same model year is a serious red flag for anyone inspecting a used 2024 F-150. The first involved an incorrect fastener on the lower steering shaft — a straightforward but critical assembly error that could allow the steering column to separate from the steering gear entirely, leaving a driver with no directional control. The second recall escalated the concern further: the steering gear assembly itself may have been built with an incorrect rack, meaning the internal gears could fracture under normal use. Dealers are required to replace the entire steering gear assembly under 25V022000, which is a substantial repair. Any prospective buyer must confirm both of these recalls have been completed before purchase.
Windshield Bonding (24V486000): A windshield that is not properly adhered to the vehicle body is not merely a leak risk — in a frontal collision, the windshield provides structural support for the roof and serves as a backstop for the passenger-side airbag. A detaching windshield during a crash could allow both systems to fail simultaneously. This recall requires the windshield to be fully removed and reinstalled, not simply resealed at the edges. Verify the repair has been performed and ask for dealership documentation.
Engine Oil Leaks — 3.5L GTDI (24V851000 and 25V198000): The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbocharged engine is the F-150’s most popular powertrain, and both oil leak recalls apply specifically to it. A misaligned engine cup plug — a manufacturing-line issue — can allow engine oil to escape rapidly. Rapid oil loss without warning can cause catastrophic engine damage within minutes of the leak beginning. NHTSA issued a second, expanded campaign (25V198000) after the first did not capture all affected vehicles. If your 2024 F-150 has the 3.5L GTDI engine, confirm both campaigns have been addressed.
Transmission Valve Body (25V164000): An incorrectly machined transmission valve body is among the most operationally dangerous defects on this list. The failure modes described — reverse gear failing entirely, or the vehicle moving forward unexpectedly while in reverse or neutral — create obvious crash hazards in parking lots, driveways, and loading areas. This recall covers not just the F-150 but also the Bronco, Ranger, Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator, pointing to a shared transmission supplier issue. The remedy is a full valve body replacement.
Rear Axle Hubs (25V512000): This recall is specific to F-150s equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float design. The rear axle hub bolt can fatigue and fracture, damaging the splines that transfer power to the wheel. For a truck sold specifically on its towing capability, a fatigue failure in the heavy-duty towing axle is particularly concerning. This is a phased recall, meaning not all owners may have been notified simultaneously.
Rearview Camera and Trailer Brake Software (25V315000 and 26V104000): Both of these campaigns are software-related and can be resolved via over-the-air updates on compatible vehicles. The rearview camera delay or freeze issue affects back-over safety. The trailer brake module communication loss affects brake and signal lighting when towing — a real hazard on highways. Both are remedied without parts replacement.
Owner Complaint Data
The NHTSA complaints database returned no complaint records for the 2024 Ford F-150 in the data retrieved on 2026-07-13. This is an unusual result for a high-volume vehicle and most likely reflects a data retrieval limitation rather than a genuine absence of owner-reported issues. Prospective buyers should independently search the NHTSA complaints portal at nhtsa.gov and filter by the 2024 F-150 to review any current submissions. Because no complaint statistics are available in the source data, we cannot provide component-by-component complaint analysis, and doing so would require us to invent figures — which we will not do.
Crash-Test Safety Ratings
The NHTSA crash-test rating data returned null for the 2024 Ford F-150 in this dataset. No official star ratings can be reported. Buyers should check nhtsa.gov directly for any updated ratings, and may also wish to consult the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for independent crash-test results.
What This Means for Used Buyers: An Inspection Checklist
If you are considering purchasing a used 2024 Ford F-150, the recall data above translates directly into a concrete pre-purchase inspection and verification list. Every item below is derived from an actual recall campaign in the NHTSA database.
- Run the VIN through nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm all ten recall campaigns have been completed and documented. Do not accept verbal confirmation alone — ask for written dealership repair orders.
- Steering feel: During a test drive, note any unusual play, grinding, or resistance in the steering wheel. Two separate steering recalls (fastener and gear assembly) mean unresolved units may exhibit vague or failing steering response.
- Windshield inspection: Look at the windshield perimeter from inside and outside for any gaps, lifting edges, or irregular sealant beading that could indicate the bonding recall (24V486000) was not properly performed.
- 3.5L EcoBoost oil check: If the truck has the 3.5L GTDI engine, check for oil on the underside of the engine and on the ground beneath the vehicle. A rapid oil leak from an unrepaired cup plug may leave visible residue. Confirm both oil leak recalls (24V851000 and 25V198000) are closed.
- Transmission behavior: Test reverse gear explicitly and hold the truck in neutral on a slope. Any hesitation, refusal to engage reverse, or unexpected creep forward is a warning sign tied to recall 25V164000.
- Trailer Tow Max Duty package: If the truck has this option, confirm recall 25V512000 (rear axle hub bolts) has been addressed, especially if the vehicle has a towing history.
- Rearview camera function: Cycle through reverse repeatedly during the test drive and note any image freezing, delay, or black screen. The software fix (25V315000) may have already been applied via OTA, but verify it in the vehicle software version history.
- Airbag warning label: Glance at the dashboard for the airbag warning label. Its absence is the subject of recall 24V852000, and while the fix is simply mailing a new label, its absence signals the vehicle may have outstanding paperwork.
- Trailer brake function (if equipped): If the truck has the integrated trailer brake controller, confirm the software update under 26V104000 has been applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2024 Ford F-150 have?
According to NHTSA data retrieved on 2026-07-13, the 2024 Ford F-150 is associated with ten recall campaigns. Not all campaigns apply to every F-150 — some are limited to specific engine configurations (3.5L GTDI), specific packages (Trailer Tow Max Duty), or specific build dates. Use your VIN on nhtsa.gov to determine exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle.
Are any of the recalls safety-critical?
Yes. Based on the NHTSA summaries, at least four recalls involve conditions that could directly cause a crash or make a crash significantly more severe: the two steering recalls (potential loss of steering control and gear fracture), the windshield bonding recall (windshield detachment during a crash), and the transmission valve body recall (unexpected vehicle movement in reverse or neutral). The engine oil leak recalls also carry serious risk of sudden engine failure if not addressed.
Are the recalls free to fix?
Yes. Every remedy listed across all ten campaigns specifies that repairs are performed free of charge at authorized Ford dealers. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about any specific campaign.
Does the 2024 F-150 have an official NHTSA safety star rating?
The NHTSA data retrieved for this article returned no crash-test rating for the 2024 Ford F-150. Buyers should check nhtsa.gov directly for the most current testing results, as ratings may have been published after this data was retrieved or may require a separate database query.