The Ford F-150 is the best selling pickup truck line in the world, as well as the perennial best selling passenger vehicle in the United States. Rugged, versatile and dependable, the F-150 is part of Ford's F-Series line of full-sized trucks built continuously since 1948.
Quality levels for the Ford F-150 remain very good, but there are a few problems that tend to crop up in some trucks, including odometer problems, which are peculiar to models dating back to the late 1990s. Let's explore this issue and what you can do to handle the problem.
Ford F-150 owners of tenth, eleventh and twelfth generation trucks with an electronic (digital) odometer display have reported problems with their odometers. These trucks include 1997 model year to present model year trucks, and include some models sold as F-250, F-350 and Super Duty.
Some of the problems with the digital odometer reported by F-150 owners include intermittent or erratic service or outright failure. Digits will sometimes disappear, fade, or blink on and off, with the condition becoming progressively worse over time. Eventually, many owners experience complete odometer failure if the problem isn't soon addressed.
For Ford owners whose trucks are still under warranty, coverage is available through the Ford Motor Company. Check your warranty agreement to see if your particular truck is still covered. If not, you may have to repair the problem yourself or take your truck to a mechanic. Consider petitioning a Ford regional representative if you think that your problem should be covered by Ford; your dealer has that contact information.
Though you could conceivably drive your Ford F-150 without repairing the odometer, you will find that tracking oil change and other maintenance intervals can become very cumbersome. You won't be able to verify warranty coverage based on mileage and, when the time comes to sell your vehicle, a broken odometer must be fixed in order to transfer the title to the new owner.
In some cases, you may have to replace the entire instrument cluster by ordering a new part, or you may choose to take your chances with a used cluster. Consider purchasing an intermittent digital odometer repair manual from an aftermarket provider for step-by-step instructions on how to successfully replace your Ford F-150 odometer.
