Ford F-150 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year F-150 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2013 Ford F-150 has the most documented problems with a problem score of 2079 — driven by 2 recalls, 1941 complaints, and 6 reported deaths.

Q: What is the best year F-150 to buy?

The 1982 Ford F-150 is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 1, meaning 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record.

Q: Which F-150 has the fewest problems?

The 1982, 2026, 1983 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Ford F-150 model year (1975–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

252

Total Recalls

24409

Total Complaints

1072

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Ford F-150 Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2013

2 recalls · 1941 complaints

51 reported injuries

6 reported deaths

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 2079

#2 WORST

1997

14 recalls · 1720 complaints

101 reported injuries

11 reported deaths

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Problem score: 2019

#3 WORST

2018

11 recalls · 1339 complaints

60 reported injuries

3 reported deaths

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 1507

Best Ford F-150 Years to Buy

#1 BEST

1982

0 recalls · 1 complaint

Main area: TIRES:SIDEWALL

Problem score: 1

#2 BEST

2026

1 recall · 1 complaint

Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Problem score: 4

#3 BEST

1983

0 recalls · 6 complaints

Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Problem score: 6

Found the right year? Verify that specific F-150 with a free VIN report.

Ford F-150 — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2026	1	1	—	—	4	Excellent
2025	5	83	2	—	102	Excellent
2024	3	109	12	—	142	Excellent
2023	5	306	12	—	345	Good
2022	12	535	32	—	635	Good
2021	19	719	7	—	790	Caution
2020	5	428	13	—	469	Good
2019	3	791	26	—	852	Caution
2018	11	1339	60	3	1507	Avoid
2017	10	768	18	—	834	Caution
2016	9	1247	38	—	1350	Caution
2015	9	1052	62	2	1213	Caution
2014	2	931	30	3	1012	Caution
2013	2	1941	51	6	2079	Avoid
2012	4	1221	23	1	1284	Caution
2011	3	1422	29	—	1489	Avoid
2010	1	610	18	—	649	Good
2009	2	209	21	—	257	Good
2008	0	235	28	2	301	Good
2007	4	319	26	2	393	Good
2006	8	368	22	—	436	Good
2005	7	682	36	1	780	Caution
2004	10	1183	28	5	1294	Caution
2003	8	225	21	1	296	Good
2002	6	514	44	—	620	Good
2001	13	724	62	2	897	Caution
2000	9	650	46	1	774	Caution
1999	10	692	71	—	864	Caution
1998	11	840	31	—	935	Caution
1997	14	1720	101	11	2019	Avoid
1996	2	185	10	2	221	Good
1995	2	411	25	2	477	Good
1994	3	493	31	—	564	Good
1993	4	398	9	—	428	Good
1992	5	308	7	5	362	Good
1991	2	184	4	—	198	Excellent
1990	3	182	3	—	197	Excellent
1989	3	135	4	2	162	Excellent
1988	1	79	2	1	91	Excellent
1987	3	64	4	—	81	Excellent
1986	1	48	—	—	51	Excellent
1985	0	26	3	—	32	Excellent
1984	1	7	—	—	10	Excellent
1983	0	6	—	—	6	Excellent
1982	0	1	—	—	1	Excellent
1981	2	2	—	—	8	Excellent
1980	2	2	—	—	8	Excellent
1979	4	1	—	—	13	Excellent
1978	3	11	—	—	20	Excellent
1977	2	1	—	—	7	Excellent
1976	0	0	—	—	0	Excellent
1975	3	1	—	—	10	Excellent

All 52 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Ford F-150 Shopping Guide by Era

2018–Present

Best: 2026

Recent F-150 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 4 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.

2013–2017

Best: 2017

Mid-decade F-150 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older F-150 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year F-150 should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2013 Ford F-150 if possible. It has 2 recalls, 1941 owner complaints, and 6 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 2079 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year F-150 to buy?+

The 1982 Ford F-150 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.

Which F-150 has the fewest problems?+

The 1982, 2026, 1983 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Ford F-150 Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Ford F-150.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Ford F-150.

Check a Specific Ford F-150 VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →