Service bulletin SSM 47961

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10160878
Published by NHTSA	2019-06-06
Manufacturer's number	SSM 47961
Manufacturer's date	2019-05-01
NHTSA component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA's summary

Some 2018-2019 F150, Expedition, and Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0365 and/or P0369 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to low engine oil level, low engine oil pressure, or worn/damaged variable camshaft timing (VCT) units. Before performing Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Manual diagnostics, inspect the engine oil level and evaluate any abnormal VCT noise conditions. If engine oil level is correct and no unusual engine noises are present, proceed with normal diagnostics per PC/ED pinpoint test (PPT) DR.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Engine

Trouble codes named

P0365, P0369

Vehicles listed
FORD F-150	2018, 2019

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
19V278000	2019-04-08. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
18V894000	2018-12-18. ENGINE
2017515	2017-10-24. Engine
17V672000	2017-10-23. ENGINE

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
TSB 24-2115	2024-05-04. Service bulletin. This article supersedes TSB 22-2260 to update the vehicle applications. Some 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0420 and/or P0430 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to calibration and controls sensitivity.
SSM 52335	2024-03-20. Service bulletin. For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
SSM 52334	2024-03-20. Service bulletin. Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long term effects on the engine. This an operating characteristic of the 5.0L engine and no repairs should be attempted. This information along with an example audio clip has been added to the WSM Section 303-00 Engine System General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > PPT F > Step F2.
TSB 23-2143	2023-05-31. Service bulletin. Some 2017-2020 F-150 and 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 30-Nov-2019 and equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. Some vehicles may also exhibit an intermittent condition with no auto restart during auto-start-stop operation with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P164C present in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to a worn variable camshaft timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the VCT units.
SSM 51296	2023-01-31. Service bulletin. Some 2015-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L, 3.5L or 5.0L engine may require replacement of the long block engine assembly. New service kits have been released which include all the one-time-use components required in the service procedure for removal and replacement of the long block engine assembly. Refer to the Ford Electronic Parts Catalog (ECAT) for long block service kit part number by application.
TSB 22-2393	2022-11-01. Service bulletin. Some 2019-2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 04-Mar-2021 and equipped with a 5.0L engine may experience an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0364, P060B, P062B, P1104, P164C, P2601, P2BEC, P2BED, P2BEE, P2BEF, P2BF0, P2BF1, P2BF2 and/or P2BF3 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to various software parameters within the PCM. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM and reset the keep alive memory (KAM).
TSB 22-2386	2022-11-01. Service bulletin. Some 2018-2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 3.0L diesel engine may experience low oil pressure at idle after an oil change. This condition may be caused by a broken anti-drain back oil plug in the oil filter adapter. The anti-drain back oil plug is now available to be serviced separately from the oil filter adapter. To correct this condition, follow this service procedure to replace the anti-drain back oil plug.
SSM 50988	2022-08-15. Service bulletin. Some 2018-2021 F-150 3.3L, 2020-2021 Explorer 3.3L, and 2020-2021 Transit 3.5L may experience an illuminated low oil pressure and malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0521 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) after a short block or long block replacement. This may be due to a design change of the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor, which is not backwards compatible. To correct the condition, transfer the sensor from the original engine or replace the EOP sensor with GN1Z-9D290-D.
TSB 22-2200	2022-05-24. Service bulletin. Some 2017-2020 F-150 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 31-Oct-2019 and equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a worn variable cam timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the VCT units.
21N03-S4	2022-04-04. Service bulletin. Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine - Cam Phase Replacement. Parts Requirements / Order information - Intake Gaskets HL3Z-9439-A should be inspected and only replaced if damaged. It is no longer required to replace these gaskets.