No Ford F-150 model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2005–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.
| Year | Verdict | Score | Top owner-reported problems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Recommended | 7 | The 10-speed automatic continues to draw complaints of harsh shifting, slipping and intermittent loss of power.; A rear-axle hub bolt can break (subject to a manufacturer/NHTSA recall), risking loss of drive or vehicle rollaway.; Visibility complaints involve windshield-wiper faults and an obstructed or blank rear-camera view. | Full report ↗ |
| 2023 | Recommended | 7 | The 10-speed automatic continues to draw complaints of harsh shifting, slipping and intermittent loss of power.; A rear-axle hub bolt can break (subject to a manufacturer/NHTSA recall), risking loss of drive or vehicle rollaway.; Visibility complaints involve windshield-wiper faults and an obstructed or blank rear-camera view. | Full report ↗ |
| 2022 | Recommended | 7 | The 10-speed automatic continues to draw complaints of harsh shifting, slipping and intermittent loss of power.; A rear-axle hub bolt can break (subject to a manufacturer/NHTSA recall), risking loss of drive or vehicle rollaway.; Visibility complaints involve windshield-wiper faults and an obstructed or blank rear-camera view. | Full report ↗ |
| 2020 | Recommended | 7 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2019 | Recommended | 7 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2021 | Caution | 6 | The 10-speed automatic continues to draw complaints of harsh shifting, slipping and intermittent loss of power.; A rear-axle hub bolt can break (subject to a manufacturer/NHTSA recall), risking loss of drive or vehicle rollaway.; Visibility complaints involve windshield-wiper faults and an obstructed or blank rear-camera view. | Full report ↗ |
| 2018 | Caution | 6 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2017 | Caution | 6 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2016 | Caution | 6 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2014 | Caution | 6 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
| 2013 | Caution | 6 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
| 2010 | Caution | 6 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
| 2009 | Caution | 6 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
| 2008 | Caution | 6 | Brake complaints centered on the ABS hydraulic control unit, with owners reporting a low or unresponsive pedal and longer stops.; Fuel pump driver module mounted on the frame can corrode and fail, causing stalling or a no-start condition.; 5.4L Triton 3-valve engine issues: spark plugs that break off in the head when removed and cam-phaser rattle/ticking, plus broken exhaust manifold studs causing exhaust leaks. | Full report ↗ |
| 2007 | Caution | 6 | Brake complaints centered on the ABS hydraulic control unit, with owners reporting a low or unresponsive pedal and longer stops.; Fuel pump driver module mounted on the frame can corrode and fail, causing stalling or a no-start condition.; 5.4L Triton 3-valve engine issues: spark plugs that break off in the head when removed and cam-phaser rattle/ticking, plus broken exhaust manifold studs causing exhaust leaks. | Full report ↗ |
| 2006 | Caution | 6 | Brake complaints centered on the ABS hydraulic control unit, with owners reporting a low or unresponsive pedal and longer stops.; Fuel pump driver module mounted on the frame can corrode and fail, causing stalling or a no-start condition.; 5.4L Triton 3-valve engine issues: spark plugs that break off in the head when removed and cam-phaser rattle/ticking, plus broken exhaust manifold studs causing exhaust leaks. | Full report ↗ |
| 2005 | Caution | 6 | Brake complaints centered on the ABS hydraulic control unit, with owners reporting a low or unresponsive pedal and longer stops.; Fuel pump driver module mounted on the frame can corrode and fail, causing stalling or a no-start condition.; 5.4L Triton 3-valve engine issues: spark plugs that break off in the head when removed and cam-phaser rattle/ticking, plus broken exhaust manifold studs causing exhaust leaks. | Full report ↗ |
| 2015 | Caution | 5 | The 10-speed (10R80) automatic, introduced during this generation, draws frequent complaints of harsh or erratic shifting, slipping, and momentary shifts to neutral with loss of power.; Engine complaints include 5.0L Coyote excessive oil consumption and cam-phaser rattle or tick on cold start affecting both the 5.0L V8 and 3.5L EcoBoost.; A "Steering Assist Fault, Service Required" message can appear with loss of electric power-steering assist. | Full report ↗ |
| 2012 | Caution | 5 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
| 2011 | Caution | 5 | Powertrain complaints include unexpected downshifts to a low gear, intermittent loss of motive power and the truck rolling on an incline when stopped.; Electric/hydraulic power-steering assist can fail, with a warning light and sudden heavy steering that owners describe as a safety concern.; Brake complaints include master-cylinder failure and a pedal that sinks to the floor with reduced stopping power. | Full report ↗ |
A capable, well-equipped truck with the prior generation's engine problems resolved; the 10-speed shift feel is the main reservation.
Class-leading capability and improved engine reliability; minor electronic and shift-quality complaints persist.
A strong choice that benefits from early-redesign fixes; watch for 10-speed shift behavior and infotainment quirks.
The redesign is impressive but this first year carried the most recalls and early SYNC 4/camera issues, so verify recall completion.
A strong, mature 13th-gen year with class-leading capability; the main watch-items are the 10-speed shift quality and 5.0L oil use.
Well-sorted and capable; the 2.7L EcoBoost is a reliable pick, with the 10-speed shifting and cam-phaser noise the chief concerns.
Highly capable but a complaint-heavy year for the new 10-speed transmission and 5.0L oil consumption; inspect the drivetrain carefully.
Good all-rounder; pre-10-speed examples avoid the worst shift complaints, but cam-phaser and oil-use issues still apply.
A capable early-aluminum year that, along with 2015, saw numerous recalls and brake/latch fixes; verify the recall history.
First year of the aluminum body brought teething recalls and brake/latch issues; the most cautious year of this generation.
A solid late-12th-gen choice; the 5.0L V8 is the safest engine pick, while early-EcoBoost cam-phaser and power-steering issues still warrant a careful inspection.
Capable and well-rounded, but watch for 3.5L EcoBoost cam-phaser/condensation symptoms and power-steering faults.
A higher-complaint year for transmission power loss, EcoBoost cam phasers and power-steering failures; inspect thoroughly or favor the 5.0L V8.
First year of the EcoBoost and 6-speed; one of the more complaint-heavy years for engine and transmission issues, so buy cautiously.
Pre-EcoBoost and dependable with the 4.6L/5.4L V8s, though it carries late-3-valve engine and steering-shaft wear concerns.
Start of the 12th generation with proven V8s; durable but dated, with steering-shaft and brake wear to check on high-mileage trucks.
A durable, affordable used full-size truck; budget for the 5.4L 3-valve spark-plug/cam-phaser and steering-shaft quirks of this era.
Sturdy and cheap to run, but the 5.4L 3-valve engine and ABS/steering-shaft issues are well documented at higher mileage.
Legendarily tough but high-mileage examples commonly show 5.4L engine, steering-shaft and brake-module wear; inspect carefully.
Capable and long-lived, yet this 11th-gen year carries the known 5.4L 3-valve, steering-shaft and ABS concerns; price accordingly.
Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Ford models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.