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2015 Ford F-150 claims segment's best payload, towing ratings

While we are set to drive the new, 2015 Ford F-150 in the coming days, there's a big piece of news on the latest-generation of the Blue Oval's bread-and-butter pickup coming out of Dearborn, and it focuses on the truck's hauling and towing abilities.
The new F-150 will have a maximum payload of 3,300-pounds (V8 models), and, perhaps more importantly, a 12,200-pound tow rating (EcoBoost V6 models), which for the first time are compliant with the Society of Automotive Engineer's J2807 standards. Those best-in-class figures are significant feathers in Ford's cap as the Detroit Three continue duking it out for the title of top pickup.
"As founding members of the SAE trailer towing committee, we will meet SAE trailer towing standards," Ford's Aaron Miller told Autoblog.

Ford F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco and Lincoln Aviator recalled for rollaway fears

Ford is recalling certain F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and Lincoln Aviator models from the 2022 and 2023 model years equipped with automatic transmissions. According to documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford's 10R80 transmission may contain a loose bolt — literally an extra bolt loose inside the transmission, not a bolt that isn't tightened — that could prevent the transmission from engaging in Park. This could happen even if the gear shifter position indicates that the vehicle has been shifted to "Park." As Ford's recall acknowledgement says, "The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury." Dealers will replace the transmissions of vehicles affected by this defect. Note a similar-sounding recall was announced in 2022, but it was for entirely different models with entirely different transmissions. A relatively small number of units — 944 to be exact, or 4% of production — are thought to be affected by this issue, but they weren't built in successive order, meaning their VINs need to be verified by Ford. Customers are advised to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference Ford's internal recall number 23S06. Because some vehicles affected by this recall could be on dealer lots, Ford sent a note to its network of dealerships advising them not to sell or demonstrate the models included in this recall, potentially until the second quarter of 2023 when Ford expects "that parts ordering information and repair instructions will be available to support this safety recall." Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2023 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition walkaround

IIHS crash tests second F-150 bodystyle

Sometimes, being the king comes with some extra scrutiny. At the urging of Automotive News, the Ford F-150 is the first truck to have multiple cab configurations crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. According to Automotive News, IIHS was preparing to release the crash-test report on the 2015 F-150 after the safety watchdog evaluated the popular, four-door SuperCrew body. However, the agency learned from AN that configuration contained steel bars welded around the front wheels for added protection. Those reinforcements aren't on the other cab variants, and IIHS is now going back to check a SuperCab without the strengthening to check its safety performance, as well. While the added bars might help the SuperCrew score better in the vital but difficult small-overlap front crash test, there's no guarantee that's their sole purpose. As the head of the IIHS crash lab Joe Nolan indicated to Automotive News, if Ford were just trying to beat the system the company could only put the reinforcement on the driver's side where the agency does the small-overlap test. Also, when the National Highway Travel Safety Administration checked the latest F-150, the Feds gave all three cab styles top, five-star overall ratings. Due to the additional testing, IIHS won't have the F-150's scores ready until July, according to Automotive News. Starting next year, the cab variants of other trucks will also starting being crash tested by the agency. Related Video: