I Haven’t Even Had My $40K 2025 Ford F-150 Ten Days, and I Already Have a Serious Issue, a Defect That Has Me Shaking My Head

How can a brand-new Ford F-150 pickup have serious issues right from the factory?

Brian Wills (@bwillsincognito) has just purchased a 2025 Ford F-150 XL, a rare bird in the automotive world. This unique pickup, featuring four-wheel drive, a 5.0-liter engine, a regular cab, and a short bed, is not a common sight on any Ford dealer's lot. 

Most Ford F-150 truck buyers are looking for the SuperCrew Cab, with a 5.5-foot bed, for its ample passenger space and cargo-carrying ability. It's built for work and pleasure. 

So, who orders a single-cab, short-bed F-150 in the base XL trim level?  

Brian's not your typical truck buyer. His passion for vehicles led him to choose this unique F-150, which he plans to modify into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. 

Before we hear from Brian in his TikTok video clip, about the serious issues with his F-150, let's examine why he purchased the rare pickup. 

Exactly, it's going to be a truck built for speed. It features Ford's powerful 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine, also known as the "Coyote" V8. This engine, with its 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, is a force to be reckoned with. The 5.0-liter "Coyote" engine was first introduced in the Mustang GT and later adopted for the F-150, with modifications made for truck applications. 

Now, Brian is going to turn it into a high-performance F-150 for the street. "It's practically an all-wheel-drive Mustang GT," he says with a toothy smile.

So, imagine Brian going into a Ford dealer, ordering the F-150 pickup right from the factory with the exact specs and trim level that he wants. The price was right at $40,000. 

Everyone thinks he's crazy. Here are just a few of the comments, 

BoxersRus says, "$40k!!!? That's a $25k truck."

Casey, "You lost me at $40k for an XL!"

Glitch48 - "How do we get back to the timeline where a stripped base model 4x4 is about $25K? Because $40K is just nuts."

Jon Paul Letki - "It should be about half that price."

Well, You Get the Idea. Who would pay $40,000 for an F-150 XL?

Brian did, and now he's not happy with the new truck.   

He says, "Alright, guys, I haven't even had this truck ten days yet, and I already have a serious issue. I suppose it's not that serious, but it depends on how you view it. It's not engine or drivetrain related, transmission related, nothing like that."  

"It's so stupid that it bugs me, I will admit it. It has me shaking my head." 

He knows he's going to hear from Ram and GM truck fans.  

"Now, I know I'm opening myself up to probably the world of GM and Ram guys hating me for this, but what the heck is this?" Brian says as he walks over to his new pickup. 

It appears to have just rained because the pickup has water droplets on it.    

He points to a significant gap in the door where the front window molding meets the black molding behind it. "I guess it's hard to tell, but on both sides of the truck, the alignment and fitment on this trim piece is absolutely horrendous," he says in disbelief. 

Brian takes multiple shots of the gap in the F-150's trim piece.

"Now, it doesn't have any effect on the truck whatsoever; it's not leaking water into the cab. The weatherstripping is all good; nothing is getting wet; it rained and snowed all night." 

"Obviously, we are good there, but it's just kind of, I don't know, aggravating that you buy a brand new truck, and it has these issues on both sides."  

"Actually, for as long as I can remember, on the regular cab, short bed, F-150s, and even some other models and trims, this has been an issue, and I can't believe Ford hasn't fixed it yet."

"Other than that, though, I have zero complaints. Everything runs great. I beat the crap out of some Mustangs, beat the crap out of the Scat Pack, and a diesel truck, you know?" 

"I mean, this thing is just, I don't know, it's just simply made," he says, shaking his head.  

Does the Ford F-150 Have Fit and Finish Problems?

Yes, some new Ford F-150 models have been reported to have fit and finish issues, including misaligned panels, gaps, and rattles. These issues can range from minor annoyances to more significant problems affecting the vehicle's overall appearance and perceived quality. 

An F150 Gen 14 user says, "The first thing I noticed when I saw my truck at the dealership was the misaligned doors. The fit is pretty embarrassing, and after looking at a few other single cabs in the dealer's lot today, they are all pretty bad; however, mine has the worst of them."

A Reddit user says, "You'll notice on brand new cars even that Ford has terrible fit and finish problems. Glaring panel gap and fit issues. Misaligned panels. Why they get a pass on this is a mystery to me. It's a total deal breaker when shopping for a car."

Here are the specific F-150 issues:

• Panel Gaps and Misalignment: Some owners have reported noticeable gaps between body panels, including those of the doors, fenders, and hood.
• Rattles and Vibrations: Certain F-150 models, particularly those with more features and technology, have been reported to have interior rattles and vibrations.
• Windshield Vent Cowls: Some owners have noticed that the ends of the windshield vent cowls on their F-150s don't sit flush with the windshield.
• Armrest Gaps: In some instances, armrests on the driver and passenger sides have been reported to have wider gaps than those in the back.
• Other Issues: Other reported problems include warped dashboard vents, unaligned doors, and even issues with the clear coat on door sills, according to another Reddit user. 

Impact of these issues:

• Reduced Perceived Quality: Fit and finish problems can significantly impact the perceived quality of a vehicle, even if the mechanical components are functioning as intended.
• Potential for Further Problems: Poorly fitted panels or loose components can sometimes lead to future problems, such as water leaks or premature wear and tear.
• Dealership Visits: Many owners have had to take their trucks back to the dealership to have these issues addressed, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. 

In The End

Overall, while the Ford F-150 is a popular and capable pickup, potential buyers should be aware of the possibility of fit and finish issues and consider inspecting the vehicle thoroughly before making a purchase. 

Brian loves his truck, but he dislikes the inferior build quality, especially since he paid $40,000 for his special-order 2025 Ford F-150 XL.

How About You?

Do you own a newer Ford F-150? How would you rate the fit and finish of your truck? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Ford F-150 story: I Just Looked At An $85K 2024 Ford F-150 Platinum, Everything Is Plastic, and It Doesn’t Even Have a V8, It’s a V6 Hybrid, I Might Buy a RAM Instead

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl, Brian Wills