Best & Worst Years of Ford F-150:  Graphs & Owner Surveys

The Best Years of the Ford F-150

We looked at reliability information, crash test scores, owner feedback, and fuel economy estimates to identify the most reliable Ford F-150 model years to buy. To further narrow the list, we also analyzed common diagnostic trouble code (DTC) information and briefly reviewed NHTSA recall data. 

2017-2020 Ford F-150

As is the case with most vehicles, the latest model years of a particular generation often prove best. This is the case with the 2017 to 2020 Ford F-150 editions, which close out the truck’s 13th generation. Engine reliability scores increase significantly for these newer but late-in-the-generation model years.

Of course, you’ll pay for this privilege in that you can expect an F-150 from these years to cost $20,000 to $30,000. The price tag will be even higher for a top-tier trim or one with low mileage. 

Unsurprisingly, there isn’t a lot of volume of DTC codes showing for these F150s; there’s something to be said for newness. When codes appear, they can include P0430, which can range from a leaky exhaust to a damaged catalytic converter. In the best-case scenario, you’ll need to fix an exhaust leak, which can run from $100 to $200. However, you may also need to replace an oxygen sensor ($275-$500) or the catalytic converter (up to $2,400). 

Similarly, code P0420 can arise, which also means replacing the oxygen sensor or the catalytic converter may be necessary. Typically, pollution control devices (oxygen sensors and catalytic converters) don’t act up until they’re at least a decade old. But high mileage or poor maintenance may explain what’s going on here. 

It’s also not unusual to find a worn-out spark plug wire, which can generate the P0316 code. New spark plug wires aren’t outrageously expensive ($180-$240), but the same code could also mean the need to replace the fuel injectors at a cost of $1,500 to $1,900. 

There are some instances of DTC P0300 (engine misfiring) surfacing, this is a code that should be investigated right away. However, this is a broad category code that can involve anything from faulty spark plugs (costing about $58 to $167 to replace) to major engine work, like repairing a cylinder head (running $2,501 to $7,453 to repair). Presumably, some of these situations would fall under Ford’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

A newer vehicle translates into lower repair and maintenance bills. 2017-2020 F-150s have below-average annual upkeep expenses of $450 to $567. While an 82% – 100% chance of a repair (and/or maintenance) costing more than $500 each year may seem concerning, the data shows this mostly involves the brakes (although 18% of $500+ repairs involve the engine on the 2017 and 2019 models). 

Again, about one-fourth of these owners believe their F-150 pickups will reach 200,000 miles. That’s noteworthy feedback, considering these trucks only have an average of 58,000 miles. Likewise, the F-150’s driver visibility is praised. Yet positive mentions of the infotainment system dropped to 13% (the touchscreen-based SYNC system can be tricky to use). However, 13% also appreciated the truck’s “great sound system.”

A strong showing of 4.25 to 4.8 in NHTSA crash tests will put owners of a 2017 to 2020 Ford F-150 at ease. But, with more than a dozen recalls for the 2017 and 2018 F-150, buyers of these models will want to make sure all repairs are taken care of before spending any serious time behind the wheel. 

2012-2014 Ford F-150

If you only had $10,000 to $15,000 to spend on an F-150, concentrate on models from 2012 to 2014 (and a 2014 edition, in particular, if the budget allows). Fuel economy has improved, and those low engine reliability scores have moved up. Plus, owner reliability rankings of 9 or 10 are particularly noteworthy. 

When it comes to DTC codes, look for P0131, another oxygen sensor-related error. And while replacing the sensor is a typical repair in this situation, sometimes the cause can be traced to a fuel system issue. In the most severe instances, replacing the fuel pump might be necessary at a cost of $1,300 to $1,700.  Emission-related codes P0420 and P0430 can also pop up with the 2012-2014 F-150.

Fortunately, the average yearly upkeep for these F-150s is consistent with the $653 average. Only the 2014 year edged upwards with a $745 expected maintenance and repair outlay. Yes, there’s a strong chance (67%-83%) of expensive ($500+) repairs, but as we’ve learned, owning an F-150 isn’t always a bargain. Excess mileage can also increase the probability of a visit to the mechanic. And repairs to older vehicles like these F-150s often involve brakes, which eventually have to be replaced on all vehicles. 

Curiously, even though this group of “best years” F-150s is newer than the previous bunch (2007-2008), owners of these surveyed 2012-2014 F-150s have accumulated an average of 136,000 miles (which isn’t that far off from the average of 146,000 miles for the 2007-2008 model years).

In addition, an identical number of owners (about 25%) also expressed confidence that their F-150s would cross the 200,000-mile mark. 

One in five people mentioned a fondness for the truck’s excellent driver visibility. Owners also like the infotainment system but disliked their truck for its less-than-desirable amount of interior storage. 

For crash test scores, F-150s from 2012-2014 scored 4.0 out of 5. While not perfect, staying at 4 means solid protection for those inside the cabin. 

Recalls on these years are less significant, meaning these trucks left the factory with fewer inherent problems. 

2007-2008 Ford F-150

If you’re looking for an older F-150 with a wallet-friendly purchase price, models from 2007 to 2008 are where to start. The KBB value shown here reflects a private transaction price, so expect to add another 30% to 45% for a more accurate retail price. That still gets you in well under $10,000, which isn’t easy in today’s used car market. 

As mentioned earlier, fuel-sipping is not a trademark of older F-150s, but at least you can fill it up with regular gasoline. 

A FIXD App engine reliability score of 1 (out of 10) may be unsettling, but no vehicle with 15 years or more of use will be flawless. The strong owner reliability scores come from drivers who believe their F-150s are capable of long journeys. That provides some assurance. 

And the simple fact is that if you have less than $10,000 to plunk down on an F-150, then the 2007-2008 model years are your only somewhat decent options. Older examples cost less, but as you‘ll discover later in the “worst years” section, they’re mostly more expensive to maintain and have a higher likelihood of needing expensive engine repairs. 

The most likely DTC code you’ll encounter with an F-150 from these years is P1000, which usually is nothing to worry about. Often this occurs if the battery becomes disconnected or the code scan is interrupted. As covered previously, DTC codes P0316, P0420, and P0430 are no strangers to the 2007-2008 Ford F-150.

Although the 2008 F-150 has a high maintenance expense ($902), the 2007 edition fall right in line with the average annual upkeep expense ($655) for a 21st-century F-150. 

The high likelihood (67%-83%) of needing a repair costing more than $500 shouldn’t be a turn-off either. This just shows that trucks tend to be more expensive to fix and undergo more heavy use than passenger cars. F-150 owners acknowledge this reality. Only 4% of survey respondents thought their F-150 was cheap to repair. 

F-150 owners had more than that to say about their trucks. Almost 25% felt their pickup could reach 200,000 miles (with the average F-150 mileage being 136,000 miles). 

According to the owner survey, 22% appreciated the easy-to-use infotainment system (keep in mind, these trucks were built long before touchscreens became standard equipment). The biggest complaint was the lack of interior storage space. 

Closing out our look at the 2007-2008 Ford F150s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning an overall solid score of 4.5 out of 5 in NHTSA crash tests. That’s an impressive result for vehicles from three generations ago. While 7 recalls for the 2007 F-150 are nothing for Ford to be proud of, most involve minor problems like lighting. That said, a recall for a leaking fuel tank should be addressed if not already fixed.

The Worst Years of the Ford F-150

While there are millions of Ford F-150s on the road, not all are worth owning. A review of FIXD App data, owner surveys, and other key data uncovers the F-150 model years to avoid. And if you own one of these worst-year examples, you’ll at least have a better understanding of the problems you might be facing.

2021 Ford F-150

The truth is, the 2021 F-150 looks decent on paper, especially because of a 10 out of 10 with the FIXD Reliability Score. However, a closer look uncovers interesting insights. 

At first glance, an owner-reported reliability score of 8 appears respectable. But for the past decade, owners had consistently given their F150s a 9 or 10. The drop to 8 for 2021 might signal things aren’t going well with this model year F-150. 

And an 89% chance of expensive repairs is particularly worrisome because issues involving the engine, brakes, climate control, and fuel system appear in the data. These are problems that shouldn’t affect a two-year-old vehicle. Further, and to pour salt in the wounds, the 2021 F-150 already has 15 recalls.

2021 is the first year of the 14th-generation F-150. Many of these problems are probably just kinks in the new design that need to be worked out in the following model years. But, in general, we recommend not buying the first model year of a new generation to avoid the bugs and gremlins that frequently accompany a brand-new design. You don’t want to be stuck bringing your car back for recalls every few months even if the repairs are free. Also, the warranties that might cover the other problems that might slip through the cracks of the recall process won’t last forever.

Given the newness of this F-150, there are not many DTC code reports. So, we’ll have to wait to see what the future brings for the 2021 model year. In the meantime, check out the F-150s that are on the best years list instead.

A Note About The 2022 and 2023 Ford F-150: Given the lack of meaningful data in our records, we have left these new F150s out of our best and worst year review. 

2015-2016 Ford F-150

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, avoiding the first year (2015) of the 13th-generation F-150 means bypassing first-year misery. We’re also adding this approach to the 2016 model year. This is because both versions underwent 16 recalls and these two model years share many similar problems. 

On the surface, reasonable FIXD Reliability and Owner Reliability scores could make the 2015 and 2016 F-150s winners. But the above-average annual repair costs ($682-$729), which are unexpectedly high for vehicles less than ten years old are a pretty big detractor. 

The strong presence of DTC codes P0420 and P0430 in the FIXD App data is a potential indicator that these trucks’ pollution control devices aren’t lasting as long as they should. There’s also a possibility these systems are wearing out due to high mileage or contamination. 

Strikingly, almost 25% of 2015 F-150 owners don’t believe their trucks will see 200,000 miles. That’s not encouraging because these trucks have an average accumulation of only 126,000 miles, according to the owner survey. It’s challenging to be optimistic about a vehicle when many current owners aren’t confident in it to begin with.

2009-2011 Ford F-150

The 12th-generation F-150 had a six-year run, and skipping the first half (2009-2011) is well advised. Extremely low FIXD Reliability Scores are only part of the reason. Besides the usual warning about first-year models (2009), the high probability (82%-94%) of an expensive repair is something to remember. 

A significant engine or transmission repair can easily run $3,000 or $4,000, which isn’t too far from what these pickups are worth. FIXD App data also reveals a few familiar DTC codes, with P1000 and P0430 being the most likely to show up. And a P0430 brings the possibility of needing a new catalytic converter. 

Beyond many recalls for these trucks is a poor showing in the NHTSA crash tests, with the 2010 model scoring a 3.0 and the 2011 edition receiving a 3.75. Would you want a loved one riding in one of these trucks when other F-150s (with better crash test scores) are readily available? 

2001-2006 Ford F-150

We’ve lumped together the final years (2001-2004) of the 10th-generation F150 with the first years (2005-2006) of the 11th generation. In the most basic terms, these tenth-gen trucks are old. And given the use (some would say abuse) trucks often endure, that should be reason enough to stay away from these model years. An old truck is one thing, but an old AND well-used truck is another.

The FIXD App data shows that DTC error codes P0171 and P0174 are common for these trucks. The problems involve the mass air flow sensor (costing $230 to $330 to replace) and vacuum leaks (costing $100 to $200 to diagnose and repair). P0401, also related to a vacuum leak, is also likely to appear when your Ford F-150’s check engine light comes on. And while an outlay of a few hundred dollars might not seem so unreasonable, code P0430 could be what flips the equation. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to replace the catalytic converter, which costs almost as much as these trucks are worth.

Average annual maintenance and repair expenses ($533-$767 on average) are nothing outrageous. However, a 63%-86% chance of a $500 or greater repair is a red flag for a vehicle with this little of a resale value. The data shows that when expensive work is required for this group of years, it most likely involves the engine or transmission. As an owner, you’d likely face yet another repair bill higher than their truck’s value. The potential for these expensive repairs is why you should skip the 2001-2006 Ford F-150.

And poor crash test results (3.75 out of 5) offer ample justification to drive past the 2002 and 2003 model years. At the same time, over a dozen recalls and a rock-bottom engine reliability score (1 out of 10) provide equal reasons to avoid the 2004 -2006 F-150s.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Best and Worst Years of the Ford F-150

What years of the Ford F-150 have engine and/or transmission problems?

Virtually every Ford F-150 year since 2001 shows some degree of engine repair likelihood. The most notorious examples are from 2002 and 2004, out of all $500+ repairs for these years, 37.5% and 34.9% (respectively) of those repairs are engine repairs. Things are less severe for the F150’s transmission. However, 2004 and 2005 model years needing a $500+ repair have a 20.5% and 25% (respectively) likelihood of needing substantial transmission work.

What is considered high mileage for a Ford F-150?

High mileage means different things to different people and different vehicles. But the highest average mileage for a model years between 2001-2021 is the 2004 at 195,968 miles on average. This would indicate that anything over 150,000 miles may be within 50,000 miles of its junkyard grave, which we would consider to be high mileage.

The survey showed that 23% of F-150 owners (2001-2021 model years) are confident their trucks will serve them through 200,000 miles (or already have). That compares to 13% who question whether their F-150 can hit the same benchmark. 

Vehicle longevity is ultimately affected by usage and condition. A well-maintained F-150 that hits 200,000 miles through mostly highway use is likely to be drivable for a longer period than the same truck with 100,000 miles of mostly city driving and overdue maintenance. 

Do any hybrid years have problems?

The Ford F-150 PowerBoost features a twin-turbocharged V6 paired with a hybrid system. However, this engine represents a very small portion of all F-150s sold. For instance, Ford sold 167,962 F-150s in the third quarter of 2022. Of those, only 8,379 were hybrid models. As a result, it’s difficult to spot any problems with these F-150 Hybrid versions. 

What other vehicles should I consider? 

The F-150 isn’t Ford’s only pickup truck. For those seeking even greater capabilities, the F-250, F-350, and F-450 versions of the company’s Super Duty pickups are a compelling option. On the flip side, the mid size Ford Ranger and compact Ford Maverick offer pickup utility in smaller packaging. 

For going outside the Ford family of trucks, other full-sized options include the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge/RAM 1500, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra.

What owners of the Ford F-150 like to use their car for:

Frequent Use Categories:	How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars)
Lots of Driving (travel/long commute)	*****
Family Vehicle	****
Sport/Fast Driving	*
Luxurious Driving	*
Outdoor/Off-Road	*
Office on Wheels	*
Hauling/Towing	*

A Note About Data and Information Sources

This article has many details about Ford F-150 reliability; here’s what we used for our assumptions and recommendations.

• FIXD Reliability Score & Data: Engine reliability information is captured via the FIXD App. 

The FIXD Reliability Score is calculated using the number of DTCs per year, weighted by mileage. This is then turned into a scale of 1-10 for easy graphing. 

This is an objective score.

• Owner Reliability Score & Data: This data is the result of surveying Ford F-150 owners who use FIXD. 

The Owner Reliability Score comes straight from owners of the Ford F-150.  

This is a subjective score.

To determine the Owner Reliability Score we ask each car owner:

How reliable would you say your Ford F-150 is?

a. Just point A to point B driving

b. A Daily Commuter

c. Good for a 100 mile road trip

d. Good for a 500 mile road trip

e. I could take a cross-country road trip, no problem

From here we translate their answers into the Owner Reliability Score:

a. = 2

b. = 4

c. = 6

d. = 8

e. = 10

Keep in mind, owners may think their car is more or less reliable than it actually is. 

One potential problem is that people often buy the same make or model they are used to when they go car shopping, just a newer year.

Ford, for instance, has a number of consumer loyalty awards for the Ford F-Series, Ford Mustang, and Ford Expedition.

Car owners may be so loyal to the make or model they currently own that they would have trouble accurately comparing their cars’ reliability to others. 

It’s for this reason that we intentionally ask car owners a question that is relative to mileage rather than relative to other cars. 

Still, be mindful of the accuracy of these Owner Reliability Scores, people’s perceptions and unconscious blindspots can skew data. 

We suggest looking at both the FIXD Reliability Score and the Owner Reliability Score for this reason.

• KBB Value: Average private-seller valuations as supplied by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), based on a {make} {model} with typical mileage for that respective model year.
• Fuel Economy: Mileage-per-gallon estimates according to the EPA MPG on Fueleconomy.gov
• Annual Maintenance/Repair: Upkeep expenses as reported by surveyed Ford Ford F-150 owners
• Safety Rating: Crash test data collected and reported by NHTSA. We average all ratings for each year to come up with a simplified, average safety score. This makes it easier to look at on a graph. 

References

1. Ford F-150 model-specific information, edmunds.com (various dates). Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.edmunds.com/
2. Model-specific recall information as per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
3. Ford F-Series US Sales Figures, (January 3, 2023), carfigures.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://carfigures.com/us-market-brand/ford/f-series
4. Ford F-150 Hybrid Sales Down 41 Percent Through Q3 2022, (October 22, 2022), fordauthority.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://tinyurl.com/2eap5yv6