2022 FORD F-450 SD Complaints

04/2022 F-450 with 13,000 miles (garaged over winter) no boat towing. Reporting the first incident/time connected to trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes is 18 months after purchasing the truck. The F-450 has intermittent power to the #5 pin (+Batt) of the 7-way trailer connection. This pin is for powering the electric over hydraulic brakes. There is also an intermittent triple chime and a visual warning of "Trailer Disconnected" when the brakes are released. When first connecting the trailer 7-way, the #5 pin has power. However if you turn the vehicle off and restart the truck without first disconnecting the 7-way, the #5 pin will not have power and the trailer does not have any brakes. In order to correct this, you need to leave the vehicle running, exit and disconnect and reconnect the 7-Way. There are no fuses blown. The wire has continuity from the Trailer Brake Control Module to the 7-Way connector in both the bed and bumper locations. There is no corrosion on the terminal ends of the wires or the 7-way connector. Di-Electric grease remains on pins/connector. Seekins Ford (Dealership) replaced the Trailer Brake Control Module on 14 November, 2024. I asked them to look into Recall 22V193, but there was nothing about it on the repair order and the service writer didn't know. Though the module was replaced, the problem persists. I took the trailer a 2024 Diamond C F-Max 212 with Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes to a servicing dealer who verified the brake system nominal. I connected the trailer to 3 other vehicles to verify the brakes operate. A 2023 Tacoma, 2006 F-250, and a Kubota Farm Tractor. The trailer brakes operated on all vehicles. I have deadlined the truck from pulling a trailer until this problem is resolved.

The tailgate has opened randomly on about 4 or 5 occasions most recently the tailgate opened making a right turn while the horse trailer was connected to it and damaged the tailgate. It seems to open on right turns or when washed or been raining. The key is kept in the console and i always apply the parking brake. It is very random. There was a recall/ owner satisfaction program 21m01 but this truck is out of the production date and was advised this was fixed in production so either the repair the "fix" did not work or maybe mine got old stock. the truck has been out of service for this for over 6 weeks and is still at the dealer. two engineers have looked at it and no answers as of today 11-1-2024. We have another 2022 f350 with different production date and that one has open 21m01 on it which was allegedly fixed.

on 6/7/24, while driving around the Baltimore beltway towing a 44' RV in rush-hour traffic a battery warning light appeared. Within 1 min, the vehicle dashboard information went out and the engine stalled. I immediately put the vehicle in neutral and was able to coast to the shoulder without advantage of turn signals on either the RV or truck as a result. Once there I popped the hood and was able to get out to open it, however, there was a fire and my fingers were singed. After opening the hood, I noticed a full engine fire. I yelled for my wife to get out ASAP. I was able to extinguish the fire (thanks to the RV extinguisher), however, a secondary fire started, and a Samaritan help extinguish that fire. A fire department truck appeared, and they cut the batter cable since it seemed to have started the fire. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership where it was purchased. The insurance agent stated a mechanic had informed him; they believe it was the battery that was the cause. All vehicle maintenance was conducted by the dealership due to warranty AND an extended vehicle maintenance plan purchased at the time of sale. Ford has failed to acknowledge any problems with the vehicle and refused to honor the warranty.

Trailer brake controller will randomly announce "trailer wiring fault" and lose all brakes. Brake power will momentarily show requested power then cut off. Trailer has been confirmed ok, works 100% on two other trucks, ground continuity is 100% via plug only, brake wiring and resistance all in spec for 3 Dexter 7000# axles (electric drum) Will randomly cut out after working for days. Usually when needed most. Dealer claims "cannot duplicate" had been to dealer 4x for it, to include a software update. I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering Automotive Concentration from what used to be GMs in house engineering school. (GMI/Kettering) To say I'm intimately familiar with how this should work is an understatement. Also, the manual slider control should just provide requested power to brakes, bypassing any BXM/TCM interlocks. In aviation, if I use a backup brake it bypasses antiskid, anything else. Towing a 21,000 pound trailer in the Mountains when this thing decides to not work is sketchy. It will eventually cause an accident given that it's a widespread issue known to people but magically no recall. If this was an Airbus 321 or Boeing 737 we'd have an Airworthiness Directive at a minimum.

I was towing my 5th wheel trailer on a highway and up an incline. Almost at the top of the hill a notification appeared on the dash screen stating, "low power mode". As I was on top of a hill, towing a trailer, on a highway, and with no available offramps, I coasted down the hill trying to find a place to pull off of the highway. At the bottom of the hill I heard a loud noise from the engine, noticed smoke in my rearview mirror, and lost all power to the vehicle including power steering. I managed to pull off to the side of the busy highway. I exited the vehicle and removed my kids from the car, moving them up a hill on the side of the highway as it was the safest place I could find. It was at that point I noticed flames coming from the right font front wheel well. I quickly opened my trailer, grabbed my fire extinguisher, and doused the flames. Had I not acted quickly the entire truck, trailer, and hillside would have caught fire. The vehicle is still at the dealership waiting on Ford Motor Company to approve the repairs. The vehicle has approximately 26,000 miles on it and is unmodified.

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, he started to hear a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 168,000.

Getting this message “Trailer Left TurnLamps Fault Check Lamps”. This is issue is intermittent but it causes the trailer lights, turn signal, stop light and warning lights on the left side to be very very dim and not visible. The lights would be good when trailer is hooked up but it will go dim and not work properly on the road. Those driving behind would not be able to see turn light while moving lanes and possibly causing an accident scenario. Gone to two different dealers and they cannot recreate the issue with their equipment. Called Ford twice to report the issue and concerns. The trailer has been checked by the dealer and showed no issues when hooked up to an independent battery. Have changed the fuse twice but they were not burned out so it was not a fuse issue. Apparently there are no current recalls for my VIN.

The contact owned a 2022 Ford F-450. The contact stated that while her driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, her driver smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that the driver then stopped and exit the vehicle when the vehicle suddenly inflamed. No injuries were sustained. A fire department was notified however, the vehicle had burned. A fire report was filed. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions, she attempted to start the vehicle however, the engine failed to engage. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, while driving at undisclosed speeds the vehicle stalled without warning. The undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for the following week. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact her insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

Connected to 5th wheel, intermittently the brakes would "buck" and "grab" when braking. Message to the effect of braking wire malfunction.

Ford has a "Customer Satisfaction" program in place (21M05) because the tailgate of the F450 can unintentionally come down. These vehicles are designed for hauling and towing, not just driving around town. As such, when the tailgate comes down, the payload could fall out and cause an accident. Also, what is being towed could be significantly damaged. In my case, I tow a large, custom 5th wheel. If I turn with the tailgate down, it's going to create a significant amount of damage and cause debris to scatter on the roadway, creating a hazard for other vehicles. I am troubled that this problem is not a safety recall. Ford is only fixing the problem AFTER an incident has occurred.