YearToAvoid

2023 Ford F-450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 F-450 years

The 2023 Ford F-450 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 5 complaints, 13 recalls (1 do-not-drive), and 1 fire report, with Brakes as the top problem area.

Complaints
5
Recalls
13
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2023 Ford F-450 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (60%)
  2. Electrical System2 (40%)
  3. Engine2 (40%)
  4. Steering2 (40%)

What owners report

  • Owners report losing power steering and power brakes together after the anti-lock brake system activated, with steering fluid found leaking near the engine.
  • One complaint describes flames in the engine compartment following a low fuel pressure warning light during vehicle transit before delivery.
  • Some owners report brake application pressure occurring without the brake light illuminating.
  • One owner reported that safety features such as rear automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning reset or misbehave and do not stay in the settings selected, with the dealership unable to resolve the issue after multiple visits.
  • An owner reported a recall repair for the electrical system (Campaign 23V506000) could not be completed because replacement parts were not yet available from the manufacturer.
2023 Ford F-450 complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2023Jan 2024Oct 2024May 2025Nov 2025
9 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2023 to Nov 2025; peak Jan 2024 (3).

2023 Ford F-450 recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V204000Mar 31, 2026Visibility & Wipers422,613 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

    Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V104000Feb 20, 2026Electrical System4,381,878 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:tail lights

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 25V455000Jul 7, 2025Fuel System850,318 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.

See all 13 recalls for the 2023 Ford F-450 →

2023 compared with other F-450 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Caution671812 !—
2022Avoid1002414 !—
2023Caution60513 !—
2024Avoid9383—
2025No verdict8724 !—

All Ford F-450 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Ford F-450 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2023 F-450 a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the F-450. It has 5 complaints and 13 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall.
What is the top problem area for the 2023 Ford F-450?
Brakes is the top problem area, accounting for 3 of 5 complaints (60% share), according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2023 Ford F-450 have a do-not-drive recall?
Yes. Campaign 23V758000 covers 2022-2023 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles where front wheel hub extender fasteners may be insufficiently tightened, and owners are advised not to drive until repaired.
How does the 2023 F-450 compare to other recent years?
The 2023 F-450 (Complaint Index 60, Caution) ranks better than the 2022 model (index 100, Avoid) and the 2020 and 2024 models (both Avoid), but worse than years like 2013, 2015, and 2016, which are rated Best.
Did the 2023 Ford F-450 have any fire reports?
NHTSA lists 1 fire report for the 2023 F-450, tied to an engine complaint involving a low fuel pressure warning light followed by flames in the engine compartment.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.