Does your F150 have an intermittent issue where the engine shuts itself off while driving?
No doubt, this is a serious safety concern for your vehicle to be stopping for no reason, even while traveling on the highway. It is a safety risk to all vehicle occupants as well as other drivers sharing on the road. So, what are the main causes for the F150 to shut down intermittently?
If your Ford F150 truck shuts off while driving then check the following components:
- Software Bug
- Disable the Stop/Start function
- Faulty Crank position sensor
- Faulty Variable Cam sensor
- Faulty Battery
A vehicle that shuts down without prior warning is a major safety risk which could result in a serious accident, property damage, and even worse! Of course, this is an issue you want to have resolved ASAP!
Let’s now look at the above-mentioned causes in more detail.
Table of Contents
Ford F150 Shuts Off While Driving
If you are a DIY type person and have access to a OBD Scanner then this would be the first thing I would use. Your scanner will return some live data which would indicate any signs of electrical power loss and could give some hints as to what is happening.
Next, let’s see what else could go wrong that is software-related.
Software Bugs and ECU Updates
Software bugs and ECU updates have become a common occurrence in all modern vehicles. Many modern vehicles even have OTA, “Over The Air” technology. This means your dealership can connect to your vehicle’s in-built wireless hotspot to download and install software updates. This allows them to conveniently resolve any software bugs in many of the multitude of electrical systems and components built into the vehicles.
Many owners of the newer model F150s have reported software bugs which results in the vehicle to stall intermittently. This does not happen on a regular basis and some several thousand miles can pass before the next occurrence. The stalling also cannot be replicated easily. Some have suggested disabling the Stop/Start feature, however, this doesn’t solve the problem completely. Check your truck’s VIN number and contact your dealership to confirm you are on the latest software version of your F150. You might have to schedule a software update.
Disable the F150 Auto Stop-Start Function
Another quick DIY solution to resolve the intermittent stalling is to disable the stop/start feature completely. Personally, I am not a fan of the stop/start feature and always disable it as soon as I step into my truck. The problem is that simply pressing the button on the dash is not enough. There’s another way. I unplugged the smallest plug under the dash in the white box by the brake pedal. Others have disabled it by removing that thin black wire at the battery for the BMS. I had the very same problem but once I disabled the stop/start it never returned.
NOTE: If you unplug the wire under the dash you will not have proper trailer lighting until it is plugged back in. You perform this at your own risk.
Watch the video below to see the various ways to disable the Stop/Start functionality
What other electrical issues can go wrong? Let’s see
Faulty Electrical Sensors
Another component that can cause intermittent stalling, even while driving is your variable cam timing sensors. These can become clogged up with oil, dust, and gunk which results in a faulty reading and intermittent connection. If the Variable cam timing sensor is dirty, remove it, clean it with a contact cleaner, and spray with a decent dielectric spray afterward.
Make sure you remove all oil and build-up inside the sensors. Allow to dry and replace. Check the throttle body sensors as well and clean them.
When last have you checked the age of your battery?
Faulty Battery
One owner of an F150 reported that he had this intermittent stalling issue. He booked his vehicle into the dealership for troubleshooting and they reported back. The Ford Rep reported that it turned out to be a faulty battery. It was replaced and has worked well ever since. Sounds a bit too convenient to me, however, check your battery as a process of elimination.
Older Model F150s up to 99
Older model F150s had a similar issue where the vehicle would stall when stopping or even while driving. In many cases, it turned out to be a faulty Crank position sensor.
WATCH – How To Replace The Crank Position Sensor F150 (VIDEO)
Ford F150 Life Expectancy and Max Miles (2.7 vs. 3.5)
Whether you’re an existing owner or in the market for a used pickup, it’s always going to be a difficult decision of mileage vs. reliability. However, when it comes to the F150, it is widely regarded as one of the safer options in the used truck market. The F150 has built up a good reputation over the years and is well known for its power, safety, and reliability. So, what sort of mileage and service can you expect from the F150 range?
The maximum reliable mileage you can get from an F150 2.7 EcoBoost is around 200 to 230k miles. A factory standard 3.5 EcoBoost engine can safely deliver in excess of 250 000 miles (402 000 km) If the vehicle has been well looked after with regularly scheduled maintenance and no major modifications.
As you well know, any used truck can prove reliable, provided it’s been well looked after and not abused and mistreated for several years. With that being said, let’s look at some of the items you should take particular note of when considering a high-mileage F150.
Full article link below
User Experience & Feedback
User 1
I’ve got an intermittent issue where my engine shuts itself off while driving.Needless to say this is quite a scary event.I get an alert on my DIC which says….”Auto StartStop Shift to P, then Restart Engine”.Sounds simple enough but when cars are flying by, and you’ve stalled, it’s unnerving to say the least.Anyone experience this or have any knowledge as to what can be causing this?
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/engine-shuts-off-while-driving-521274/
User 2
This exact thing happened to us this past Saturday. We bought a brand new 2022 Ford F-150 Lariat on Black Friday. It was raining Saturday night when it happened. The engine would totally shut off while we were driving about 20-30 mph. It was a very scary situation and would have been much worse if we were going faster.
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/engine-shuts-off-while-driving-521274/
Today, the dealer called us and said they think the issue was due to a leak and water was getting on the main control (basically the computer). Will keep you all updated if they are able to 100% fix the issue.
User 3
Yesterday, while I was driving the engine shut off, and the dashboard stated to look at gauges. It took at least three tries to get the truck restarted. This is the third time that this has happened. The time yesterday, I was in a residential area, so I was not going that fast. The previous two other times I was going full speed on the freeway, when the engine just shut-off. Is there anyone else that has had this problem. The vehicle that I have is a 2005 Ford F-150 4×4 with a 5.4 litre engine.
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/engine-shut-off-while-driving-369089/
Resources
- https://www.f150forum.com/f118/engine-shuts-off-while-driving-521274/
- https://www.f150forum.com/f4/engine-shut-off-while-driving-369089/
- Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of Ford F150 trucks shutting off while driving is a serious matter that requires immediate attention. While the exact causes of this problem may vary, it is crucial for Ford and its associated automotive experts to conduct thorough investigations into the root causes. This would involve examining potential mechanical, electrical, or software-related issues that could lead to sudden shutdowns.