What year is the most reliable ford f150

ATTENTION:

We have partnered with top-rated providers to help you save on auto insurance.

Compare FREE Auto Insurance Quotes Now!

Ford F-150 is one of the most reliable and longest-lasting pickup trucks, as we’ve recently discussed in the article on the F150 mileage expectancy. 

When a vehicle is produced for as long as the F150, some inconsistencies in production quality are bound to happen. In this article, we want to put focus on the model years and point out the ones that have been the best and worst in terms of reliability, recalls, and value.

The 2019 Ford F150 is currently the best model year in contrast to 2018 which is the worst by several factors.

2020, 2014, 2010, and 2009 model years are the better options for their respective generations. Based on recalls and user reviews, 2016, 2017, 2012, 2006, 2005, and 2004 models are not as good in comparison.

Ford F-150 Recalls 

Vehicle recalls data provides useful insight into how a vehicle was manufactured. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) tests every vehicle extensively and takes into account user and accident reports. 

When a defect is found, the manufacturer has the responsibility of issuing a statement and recalling all vehicles that have suffered from the issue.

Sometimes, the second owner is not aware that his vehicle should be worked on, which is why it’s important to cross-reference recalls with service done to the vehicle you’re looking to buy. 

14th Generation (2021 – ) 

The severity of the issues that the 2021 and upcoming 2022 F150 face should not be neglected. Whether you’re buying a brand new or used F150, you should consult directly with the dealership and check whether the model in question is due a recall. 

13th Generation (2015 – 2020) 

The thirteenth generation spans just 6 years, but in that timeframe, it managed to accumulate a total of 64 recalls. The 2019 model is the best overall, having the fewest number of recalls and the least serious problems.

Apart from these major issues, F150s fitted with certain MOOG aftermarket ball joints from 2015 to 2018 were also recalled due to incorrect fitment. The door actuation cable or the door latches may also cause problems with the door opening and closing. 

The 2016 model year shares most of the issues with the previous year and has a few unique and serious problems of its own. The steering shaft, underbody heat shield, and adaptive cruise control issues have been addressed and repaired.

The 2017 model not only suffers from a combination of issues faced by the previous two models, but it also has major transmission problems. At 14 recalls, it has had the most recalls out of all model years in the 13th generation. 

The 2018 model year is likely the worst out of all from the 13th generation. Some of the previous problems have been addressed, but more serious problems had emerged. Combined with the relatively new production date, the cost of repairs will be significantly greater than that of the older models.

The 2019 model year isn’t without faults, but it finally shakes off most of the issues that were plaguing the previous models. The engine block heaters continue to be an issue, but the automatic transmission problems have finally been resolved. 

The 2020 model is the last of the 13th generation and has a new set of problems. With only 7 recalls, it’s faring better than the earlier models, but it still represents an increase over the 2019 model year.

12th Generation (2009 – 2014)

The twelfth generation has a surprisingly small number of recalls for an F150. The major problem with the 2011-2013 models is the powertrain, which would downshift into first, regardless of the speed of travel. This could lead to catastrophic damage to both the engine and the transmission as well as endanger the passengers.

The 2014 model had a total of 6 recalls, but nothing too severe. Surprisingly, the best years by far are 2009 and 2010. Usually, the first models out of any vehicle generation are the least reliable, but this is not the case with the F150.  

11th Generation (2004 – 2008)

The eleventh generation isn’t as notorious for its recalls as the 10th, but it still has a significant number of issues. The only years that are manufactured with consistency are 2007 which had some headlight problems and the 2008 model which only had 1 recall.

10th Generation (1997 – 2004)

The tenth generation made the F150 one of the most recalled vehicles in history, both in terms of the number of recalls and the volume of vehicles affected.

As the youngest trucks of this generation are already 17 years old, the recalls are not as important anymore. Provided you do a VIN check and confirm that the potential issues have been addressed, trucks from this generation should be considered equal.

There’s an overlap between the tenth and eleventh generations with the 2004 model year, so I’ll exclude it from the following table. Even without the 2004 model year, the 10th generation has a total of 95 recalls.

Ford F-150 Reliability Ratings

Rating the reliability of a vehicle can be difficult unless there is a well-known factory issue that has not been addressed. Over time, the pattern of component failures forms, and owners start reporting their issues with the vehicle.

The first glimpse at the reliability of F150 per model year is the data gathered by CarComplaints. We can take a look at the number of complaints for each model year, but it’s important to remember that it’s normal for the number of complaints to increase over time.

The user complaints correlate with some of the F150 recalls, and the 2018 model is deemed the worst despite the relatively low amount of reports. The problem is that after an average of just 13,000 miles, drivers have reported transmission issues that cost an average of $7,000 to repair.

From another table that focuses solely on engine issues, we can see that 2016 and 2013 have the most complaints, while the 11th generation is the worst throughout. 

The second table consists of data gathered by J.D. Power, one of the most credible auto websites online. The scale goes from 1 to 100 and is based on defects, failures, design flaws, and general reliability of the F150.

Ford F150 fares well in terms of reliability, but again the 2018 model stands out as the worst out of the more recent models. The 2020 and 2019 models have received the highest reliability rating but given the limited mileage they could have accumulated, the significance of this rating is questionable.

Ford F-150 Value Depreciation

Since you’re reading this article, the chances are high that you’re looking for a used F150 truck, which is why we’ll take a look at the average price per year and compare it to the reliability ratings to pick the best model years.

F150 holds its value quite well, losing only 39% of its value in the first 5 years. When we combine the reliability with the price, the 2019 model is the best choice, followed by the 2020 model.

The latest generation will start appearing on the used car market in a few months, and these 1-year old vehicles will have very low mileage and come with a nice discount.

The 25% off the 2018 model isn’t enough to offset the reliability problems, making the 2017 and 2016 trucks a better choice. Beyond that, the 2014 model is likely the best option, as it’s priced around half the original value and won’t lose much of its value over the following years.

FAQs

Which year of the F150 is the most reliable?

Based on all the factors, the 2019 model from the 13th generation is the most reliable F150 in recent history. It has low recall numbers, high user ratings, and a low number of complaints.

What year did F150 have transmission problems?

F150 has a controversial history in regards to transmission problems, with over a million vehicles recalled between 2011 and 2013. 

The models made between 2017 and 2020 had issues regarding the 10-speed automatic transmission, which Ford has not fully addressed to this day.

Which F150 engines should I avoid?

The 5.4L Triton V8 has a reputation for blowing out spark plugs as the threads on the cylinder heads are stripped clean. The early 4.2L V6 had issues with the head gasket, which had been corrected since.  Both 3.5L engines – the EcoBoost and GTDI had been recalled to fix factory-caused flaws. 

Summary

The reliability of the Ford F150 trucks is beyond average but we can still see the inconsistencies between different generations and even model years. Based on recalls, reliability ratings, and value retention, we can draw a few conclusions.

The F150 Years To Buy

New is always a safe option, but 2019, 2020, 2014 models are the best options if you plan on buying a used truck. 

The F150 Years To Avoid

The 2018 model year has a lot of problems and they’re very expensive to repair. The 2015-2017 models also have their issues, but they’re better a decent choice if you want a 13th generation truck.

Beyond that, trucks with significant signs of rust and over 150,000 miles should be approached with caution, as major bodywork and engine repairs may come sooner than you think.

More Ford F-150 related posts can be found here:

Ford F-150 XLT vs Lariat: What Are The Differences?

What is a Ford F150 Courtesy Wipe (and How Do You Disable it?)

F150 XL vs XLT: What’s The Difference?