VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Ford F-1502011–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Ford F-150
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Ford F-150 Years to Avoid
27 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
22 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
17 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Ford F-150 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | — | 95 | 30 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 | — | 40 | 42 | 41 | Caution |
| 2024 | 10 | 0 | — | 50 | 58 | 53 | Caution |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | — | 45 | 72 | 54 | Caution |
| 2022 | 22 | 0 | — | 0 | 82 | 29 | Avoid |
| 2021 | 27 | 0 | — | 0 | 88 | 31 | Avoid |
| 2020 | 10 | 0 | — | 50 | 84 | 62 | Caution |
| 2019 | 8 | 0 | — | 60 | 74 | 65 | Good |
| 2018 | 17 | 0 | — | 15 | 62 | 31 | Caution |
| 2017 | 16 | 0 | — | 20 | 50 | 31 | Caution |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 | — | 35 | 40 | 37 | Caution |
| 2015 | 13 | 0 | — | 35 | 40 | 37 | Caution |
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | — | 65 | 40 | 56 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | — | 85 | 40 | 69 | Good |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 | — | 80 | 40 | 66 | Good |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | — | 70 | 40 | 60 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the F-150 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2026 (Buyer Score 72).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2013 (Buyer Score 69).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year F-150 to buy?+
The 2026 Ford F-150 scores highest on our Buyer Score (72/100) — combining a reliability score of 95/100 with a value score of 30/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which F-150 years have the most problems?+
The 2021, 2022, 2018 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2021 F-150 leads with 27 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common F-150 problems?+
See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.