The F150 is one of Ford’s toughest vehicles in the market. However, to fully explore what this car can offer you, one must be willing to try out a bunch of accessories. The power running board is an ideal accessory to add to your F150.
Besides enhancing style and aesthetics, power running boards make entry and exit from the vehicle easier. They come in handy for the vertically challenged, kids, and the elderly.
Despite being such an excellent addition to a car, the power running boards experience some issues every once in a while.
We will list these common issues so that when you do experience them in the future, you can know the best course of action to take. Alternatively, you can evaluate whether it’s worth installing them on your truck.
Common F150 Power Running Boards Problems
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Stuck Power Running Boards
This is the most frequently reported problem with these boards. They are bound to get stuck if you don’t maintain them regularly. And the likelihood of this happening is higher if you live in the salt belt.
Boards get stuck when the hinges get seized up.
This sends signals to the motor that an obstruction on the board is causing some resistance. For safety purposes, the boards get stuck and do not retract back when you close the door.
A stuck power running board may behave in the following manner. It may completely decline to retract. Or it may retract halfway and go back to the opened position.
To rule out that the motor is still functioning, you should hear some noises when you open or close the door.
To fix this problem, you have to address the issues with the hinges. Cleaning them should return the power running boards to their usual working mechanism.
✔ Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guides – Covers maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair procedures with detailed instructions.
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If you look at the power running boards, the hinges should be within reach. To clean them, scrub off surface dirt with a brush, then spray a rust removal product, Mopar being a great example.
After spraying it on, please give it a couple of minutes for the product to penetrate the nooks of the hinges. Rust will be dissolved, and you should then try to engage the stuck power running board.
It should be working perfectly now. In case it doesn’t, add more rust removal products. Do not hesitate to help push the board up as it closes. But do not use a lot of force.
It may take a while for the board to return to its regular operation. However, the more you help the motor close it, the sooner it will catch up to speed.
To avoid running into such an issue in the future, perform regular maintenance on the power running board hinges. This includes cleaning and lubricating them regularly.
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Slow Power Running Boards
The power running boards for your F150 are designed to work seamlessly. When you open both doors, they should slide down smoothly and close easily when you close the door.
It’s a straightforward mechanism. However, when one of them starts misbehaving, that can be pretty annoying. Slow power running boards are those that open or close sluggishly. Some might even be sticky.
There are a couple of factors that can cause your power running boards to be slow or sticky. One of them is the location of the motor.
If the motor is placed in a way that is blocking the hinges, the opening and closing mechanism may be slow.
You will have to move the motor a bit further to fix this. If you have the skills, you can disassemble the power running boards and install them with the motor pushed further back. At your nearest mechanic, they can also do this for you.
The other cause could be a faulty power running board module. This gadget controls the power running boards, and if it’s defective, you can scan and reset it.
If it’s beyond repair, a replacement is the only solution. The PRB module can begin malfunctioning if you replace the battery when the power running boards are engaged (that is when the car doors are open). This can interfere with its functioning.
In some cases, when you reset the PRB module, the boards start to work just fine. There are cases when you have to replace it.
Before doing so, you need to get a professional diagnosis from an expert mechanic. A PRB module goes for around $150 to $200. It’s therefore crucial that you confirm it needs replacement.
A word of caution before you result in any drastic measures. Power running boards can operate slowly when the temperatures are low. Therefore, do not rush into replacing or removing anything before checking them out on sunny days.
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Worn Out Motor
Power running boards are very simple devices. Therefore they do not experience a lot of problems. The last issue on our list is a worn-out motor.
The motor is the heart of a power-running board. It is destined to wear out with time either because of corrosion, overheating, or physical damage.
Power running board motors can last for many miles before wearing out. Therefore, if these retractable steps have served you for a while now, you can expect to replace the motor soon.
✔ Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guides – Covers maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair procedures with detailed instructions.
✔ Vehicle-Specific Coverage – Designed for your exact make and model, ensuring accurate and relevant information.
✔ Includes Diagrams & Photos – Easy-to-follow illustrations and exploded views help simplify complex repairs.
✔ Perfect for DIYers & Professionals – Whether you're a beginner or an experienced mechanic, get the insights you need to fix your vehicle with confidence.
A worn-out motor can also cause the power running boards to misbehave. It can cause them to stop working entirely or work occasionally.
Before replacing a motor, you should confirm that the hinges are clean and no obstructions on the boards. You also listen if some whirring sounds are coming from the motor when the boards open or close. If it’s silent, then you are dealing with a dead motor.
After diagnosing that the motor is the source of your woes, you should replace it immediately. You can find a motor for your power running boards at your nearest dealership.
Alternatively, you can buy one from an auto store. Immediately you replace the motor, normal operations should be restored.
The Importance of Regularly Cleaning and Lubricating the F150 Power Running Boards
Out of all the above Ford F150 power running problems, the most common cause of the malfunction is lack of maintenance. Even though the F150 was made to conquer rough terrains, it needs to be cared for.
As an accessory, the power running boards are exposed to many harsh conditions. Located beneath the car, these boards interact with road salt, snow, mud, debris, and many other things.
If not cleaned and maintained, all these elements build up on the boards and affect the hinges and motor. The hinges are usually the first victims. Rust may develop, and debris or mud can make it unable to open and close smoothly.
As a result, your boards become sticky. The motor, too, isn’t safe from these elements. It can also stop working due to corrosion or exposure to mud and snow.
However, if you maintain these parts, they will continue functioning perfectly, and you will avoid some of the above problems. When we talk about power running board maintenance, we refer to cleaning, lubricating, and rustproofing.
When you wash your F150, do you clean the boards? If not, then start doing so today.
Pressure washing them removes debris, dirt, and other things that may be stuck on the hinges.
It also improves the aesthetics. Secondly, parts such as the hinges need to be lubricated to operate smoothly. Finally, you need to rust-proof your power running boards.
Provided there are metal parts when they interact with air, moisture, and road salt. Rust can develop sooner than you expect.
If the corrosion isn’t spotted early, rust can render your power running boards useless. It is also advisable to use rust-protecting products on the hinges.
Are Power Running Boards a Must-have F150 Accessory?
These accessories make the entry and exit of a vehicle more convenient. When power-running doors were introduced, they came with more spice. They come on when needed and go off when the door is closed.
These boards are an excellent addition to your car, more so if the passenger or driver is vertically challenged or elderly. Getting into the F150 is mostly a hustle for kids and the elderly. This application, therefore, does offer a lot of value.
Despite being so advantageous, these boards do have certain drawbacks. For instance, if you are tall, using these boards is awkward.
Secondly, one can easily run into some of the issues mentioned above. The boards can get stuck, or the motor and power module may stop working.
However, these issues are a common part of owning power running boards, and it’s something you have to prepare for.
Before installing them on your car, you need to ask yourself whether they will add value to your vehicle. If they will then go right ahead.
However, if you have doubts, you can retain the custom method of entering or getting out of your F150. If you decide to install power running boards, remember that regular maintenance is crucial if you want them to keep working perfectly for the longest time.