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TL;DR
- IIHS dates the two recent F-150 generations to redesigns for 2015 and 2021; Ford updated the current truck again for 2024.
- For 2026, 4x4 XL, STX and XLT trucks use a part-time shift-on-the-fly case, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum get Ford's Torque On Demand automatic case, and Tremor and Raptor get an automatic case with a mechanical 4WD lock.
- The Raptor's factory tires are 35 inches (37 with the 37 Package) and its ground clearance tops out at 13.1 inches; most other 4x4 F-150s sit at 9.8 inches.
- Maximum towing for 2026 is 13,500 lb (3.5L EcoBoost, SuperCrew, Max Tow) and maximum 4x4 payload is 2,175 lb.
- The large April 2026 recall is real: NHTSA 26V237 covers 1,392,935 F-150s from 2015–2017 that can unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
At a Glance
| If your 2026 F-150 is a… | What its 4x4 does | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| XL, STX or XLT 4x4 | Part-time 4WD you switch on and off; high and low range | Work sites, snow, dirt roads |
| Lariat, King Ranch or Platinum 4x4 | Adds an automatic mode that sends power to the front axle when needed | Mixed wet, snowy and dry roads |
| Tremor | Automatic 4WD plus a mechanical lock, 275/70R18 all-terrain tires, 10.7 in of clearance | Trails on a full-size pickup |
| Raptor | Same case as Tremor, long-travel FOX suspension, 35- or 37-inch tires | Desert running and rough, fast trails |
Generations and Model Years
IIHS notes that the F-150 was redesigned for the 2015 model year, with its crash ratings for that structure applying to 2015–2020 trucks, and redesigned again for 2021, with ratings covering 2021–2026. Ford's 2020 specifications describe the outgoing truck as a high-strength steel frame with an aluminum cab and bed; the 2021 and 2026 sheets describe a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with a military-grade aluminum-alloy body. Ford introduced the updated 2024 F-150 within the current generation.
The 2026 trims are XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum and Raptor, built at Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant. Every non-Raptor F-150 uses a solid rear axle on leaf springs; the Raptor switches to a five-link coil-spring rear with a Panhard rod.
4WD System by Trim
| Trims (2026) | Transfer case | Differentials | Factory tire (4x4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL, STX, XLT | Electronic shift-on-the-fly, 2-speed part-time | Open rear standard; electronic-locking rear optional (per Ford's 2021 sheet) | 265/70R17 A/T (XL), 275/65R18 A/T (STX, XLT) |
| Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum | Torque On Demand 2-speed automatic 4WD | Open rear standard; electronic-locking rear optional (per Ford's 2021 sheet) | 275/65R18 A/T (Lariat), 275/60R20 A/T (King Ranch, Platinum) |
| Tremor (and STX Lobo) | 2-speed automatic AWD with mechanical-locking 4WD and Hi-Lock | Electronic-locking rear | 275/70R18 A/T (Tremor) |
| Raptor, Raptor R | 2-speed automatic AWD with mechanical-locking 4WD and Hi-Lock | Electronic-locking rear, 4.10 axle | LT315/70R17 A/T; 37x12.5R17 with 37 Package |
A part-time case drives both axles only when the driver selects 4H or 4L. Ford's Torque On Demand case adds an automatic setting that manages front-axle engagement on its own. The Hi-Lock case on Tremor and Raptor can run in automatic AWD or lock mechanically into 4WD. None of the 2026 spec sheets lists a front locker for any F-150: Ford's 2021 specifications offered a Torsen (torque-sensing) front differential as an option on Tremor, and the 2024 Raptor sheet lists only the electronic-locking rear. Ford's 2026 sheet pairs the PowerBoost hybrid 4x4 with the electronic-locking rear.
On the 2015–2020 truck, Ford's 2020 specifications list an electronically controlled 4x4 with an optional electronic-locking differential across XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited.
Engines, Towing and Payload (2026)
| Engine | Output | Max towing (4x4) | Max payload (4x4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 325 hp, 400 lb-ft | 8,200 lb | 1,715 lb |
| 5.0L V8 | 400 hp, 410 lb-ft | 12,800 lb | 2,080 lb |
| 3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 400 hp, 500 lb-ft | 13,500 lb | 2,175 lb |
| 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid V6 | 430 hp, 570 lb-ft | 11,600 lb | 1,740 lb |
| 3.5L EcoBoost High-Output (Raptor) | 450 hp, 510 lb-ft | 8,200 lb | about 1,400 lb |
| 5.2L supercharged V8 (Raptor R) | 720 hp, 640 lb-ft | 8,700 lb | about 1,400 lb |
Every 2026 F-150 uses a 10-speed automatic. The highest towing figures need a SuperCrew with the Max Tow/Haul Package and the Max Tow axle upgrade, and Ford notes that payload and towing peaks can't be reached at the same time. The door-jamb label gives the payload of a specific truck. The two Raptor engines call for 91-octane premium; the others are rated on 87.
Ground clearance on 4x4 trucks is 9.8 inches for Regular Cab, SuperCab and the 5.5-foot SuperCrew, 8.8 inches for the 6.5-foot SuperCrew, 10.7 inches for Tremor, and 11.9 or 13.1 inches for the Raptor on 35- or 37-inch tires. Ford lists approach angles of 25.9° for a 4x4 SuperCrew, 27.6° for Tremor and up to 33.1° for a Raptor on 37s.
Cab and Bed Configurations: What Changes for Fitment
| Cab | Bed lengths | Wheelbase | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab | 6.5 ft or 8 ft | 122.8 in or 141.5 in | 3 |
| SuperCab | 6.5 ft | 145.4 in | 5 or 6 |
| SuperCrew | 5.5 ft or 6.5 ft | 145.4 in or 157.2 in | 5 or 6 |
| Tremor, Raptor | 5.5 ft SuperCrew only | 145.6 in / 145.4 in | — |
Tonneau covers, bed liners and bed racks are sized by bed: Ford lists inside floor lengths of 67.1 inches (5.5 ft), 78.9 inches (6.5 ft) and 97.6 inches (8 ft), with 50.6 inches between the wheelhouses on all three. SuperCab rear legroom is 33.5 inches against 43.6 inches in a SuperCrew, so rear seat covers and floor liners are cab-specific. The Raptor's track is about 74 inches, roughly six inches wider than other F-150s, which is why Raptor bumpers, flares and wheels are separate part numbers. Across generations, the 2015–2020 and 2021-on trucks had different body panels and interiors, so check the model-year range on any bumper, grille, seat cover or mat.
Recall History (NHTSA)
For 2015–2026 F-150s, NHTSA's database lists 102 vehicle recall campaigns as of September 2026, including many shared with other Ford lines. The largest ones that name the F-150 alone:
| NHTSA campaign | Filed | Model years | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18V568 | Aug 2018 | 2015–2018 Regular Cab, SuperCrew | Sparks from a deploying seat-belt pretensioner can ignite B-pillar material | 1,619,112 |
| 26V237 | Apr 2026 | 2015–2017 | Lost signal from the transmission range sensor can force an unexpected downshift into second gear; fix is a PCM software update | 1,392,935 |
| 23V509 | Jul 2023 | 2021–2023, single exhaust | Wiring rubbed by the rear axle housing can apply the electric parking brake while driving | 870,701 |
| 22V842 | Nov 2022 | 2021–2022 | Windshield wiper motor can stop working | 483,082 |
| 20V332 | Jun 2020 | 2014–2017, 3.5L EcoBoost | Brake master cylinder can leak fluid into the booster | 292,311 |
| 26V578 | Sep 2026 | 2023–2027 | Fuel tank may be improperly secured, leak or detach | 223,472 |
| 21V986 | Dec 2021 | 2021–2022 | Loose heat shields can damage the aluminum driveshaft until it fractures | 184,698 |
Shared campaigns worth knowing if you tow: 26V104 (4,381,878 vehicles, including 2021–2026 F-150s) covers an integrated trailer module that can lose communication and drop trailer lights or trailer brakes. 17V652 (1,101,107 vehicles, 2015–2017 F-150 and 2017 Super Duty) covers door latches that can freeze or have a kinked cable, letting a door open while driving. Owners of 26V237 trucks were notified by letter in July 2026. Look up a VIN on NHTSA's site to see a specific truck's open campaigns.
F-150 Owner Pages
- F150 4wd switch
- F150 4wd actuator
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Tonneau Covers
- Best Leveling Kits
- Best Seat Covers
- Best Floor Mats
- Best Roof Racks
- Best Front Bumpers
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- 5-Year Maintenance Cost
- Ford accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
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Sources
- Ford — 2026 F-150 Technical Specifications — Trims, assembly plants, frame and aluminum body, transfer cases by trim, hybrid 4x4 with electronic-locking rear, engines and outputs, max towing and payload, fuel requirements, suspension, cab/bed configurations and wheelbases, bed dimensions, ground clearance, approach angles, track widths, tire sizes by trim.
- Ford — 2021 F-150 Technical Specifications — Optional electronic-locking rear differential; Torsen front differential optional on Tremor.
- Ford — 2020 F-150 Technical Specifications — 2015–2020 truck: steel frame with aluminum cab and bed; electronically controlled 4x4 with optional electronic-locking differential; 2020 trims.
- Ford — 2024 F-150 Raptor and Raptor R Technical Specifications — Raptor drivetrain with mechanical lock and electronic-locking rear differential with 4.10 axle; Raptor payload near 1,400 lb.
- Ford — The New 2024 Ford F-150 — The updated 2024 F-150.
- IIHS — 2020 Ford F-150 crew cab pickup ratings — The F-150 was redesigned for the 2015 model year; ratings apply to 2015–2020 models.
- IIHS — 2021 Ford F-150 crew cab pickup ratings — The F-150 was redesigned for the 2021 model year; ratings apply to 2021–2026 models.
- NHTSA — Recall 18V568 — 2015–2018 F-150 seat-belt pretensioner fire risk, 1,619,112 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V237 — 2015–2017 F-150 unexpected downshift to second gear, 1,392,935 units, PCM software remedy, owner letters July 2026.
- NHTSA — Recall 23V509 — 2021–2023 F-150 electric parking brake harness, 870,701 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 22V842 — 2021–2022 F-150 wiper motor, 483,082 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 20V332 — 2014–2017 F-150 3.5L EcoBoost brake master cylinder, 292,311 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V578 — 2023–2027 F-150 fuel tank securing, 223,472 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 21V986 — 2021–2022 F-150 driveshaft heat shields, 184,698 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V104 — Integrated trailer module communication loss including 2021–2026 F-150, 4,381,878 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 17V652 — 2015–2017 F-150 and 2017 Super Duty door latches, 1,101,107 units.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Recall campaign counts by model year and each campaign's reported number of potentially affected units, retrieved September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.