Trouble codes › By vehicle › Ford F-150
Common check-engine codes on the Ford F-150
2004-2023
America's most common vehicle. Most check-engine lights on F-150s come down to misfires, lean codes and EVAP leaks, plus a few problems tied to specific engines: the 5.4L 3-valve V8 (2004-2010), the 5.0L Coyote V8 (2011 on) and the 3.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost V6s (2011 on).
Most common: P0300, P0171, P0174, P0011, P0016, P0299, P0455, P0420.
Known problems on the Ford F-150
- Ford 5.4L 3-valve cam phasers and timing (P0011, P0012, P0016, P0017)
- Ford 3.5L EcoBoost intercooler condensation misfire (P0300, P0299)
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 means the engine is misfiring in more than one cylinder, often from worn plugs or coils, a vacuum leak or low fuel pressure.
On the Ford F-150: Misfires are the most common F-150 code. On EcoBoost engines, a well-known cause is condensation collecting in the intercooler and being sucked in under hard acceleration in humid weather; Ford released updated intercooler parts and software for some years. On older 5.4L 3-valve trucks, worn plugs and coils (and plugs that break during removal) are common.
P0300: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1)
P0171 means bank 1 is running lean (too much air or too little fuel), most often from a vacuum leak or a dirty MAF sensor.
On the Ford F-150: Lean codes, often with P0174, are commonly a cracked intake boot, a leaking PCV hose or a dirty MAF sensor. On the 5.0L and 5.4L, check the PCV and intake hoses first.
P0171: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0174 System Too Lean (Bank 2)
P0174 means bank 2 is running lean (too much air or too little fuel), most often from a vacuum leak or a dirty MAF sensor.
On the Ford F-150: Bank 2 lean, usually set together with P0171 on V8s: look for a shared cause such as a vacuum leak or the MAF sensor.
P0174: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0011 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
P0011 means bank 1's intake camshaft is more advanced than the engine computer asked for, usually from low or dirty oil or a sticking variable valve timing solenoid.
On the Ford F-150: On the 5.4L 3-valve V8, cam phaser and timing problems (P0011, P0012, P0016, P0017) are well known, often with a ticking or diesel-like rattle at idle. Oil level, oil quality and the correct oil weight matter a lot on this engine.
P0011: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
P0016 means the crankshaft and bank 1 intake camshaft signals are out of step, often a stretched timing chain or a stuck cam phaser.
On the Ford F-150: Cam/crank correlation on the 5.4L 3-valve (phasers, chain and tensioners) and on some 3.5L EcoBoost trucks around 2017 and later (cam phasers). Check for Ford service bulletins for your engine and year.
P0016: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0299 Turbocharger/Supercharger "A" Underboost Condition
P0299 means the turbo or supercharger isn't making the boost the engine asked for, most often from a boost leak.
On the Ford F-150: Underboost on the 3.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost: check the intercooler pipes and couplers for leaks, and the wastegate actuators. Look for service bulletins for your year.
P0299: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0455 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Large Leak)
P0455 means the EVAP system has a large leak, most often a loose, missing or bad gas cap.
On the Ford F-150: EVAP large leaks: often the gas cap or the capless filler neck, or the canister purge valve. A purge valve stuck open can also cause hard starting after refueling (P0496).
P0455: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0420 means the catalytic converter on bank 1 isn't cleaning the exhaust well enough, usually a worn converter, an exhaust leak or a lazy oxygen sensor.
On the Ford F-150: Catalyst efficiency on higher-mileage trucks, often with P0430. Fix any misfire first, and check for exhaust manifold leaks: broken manifold studs are common on the 5.4L and 4.6L.
P0420: causes, can I keep driving, and what to check first →
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Common codes and known problems as widely reported for these model years; your vehicle may differ. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a dealer about service bulletins for your VIN, and confirm in your service information.