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 2121 — driven by 0 recalls, 1987 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, 1976, 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

253

Total Recalls

25625

Total Complaints

1098

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Ford F-150 Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2013

0 recalls · 1987 complaints

52 reported injuries

6 reported deaths

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 2121

#2 WORST

1997

11 recalls · 1720 complaints

101 reported injuries

11 reported deaths

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Problem score: 2010

#3 WORST

2018

11 recalls · 1470 complaints

60 reported injuries

3 reported deaths

Top issue: POWER TRAIN

Problem score: 1638

Best Ford F-150 Years to Buy

#1 BEST

1982

0 recalls · 1 complaint

Main area: TIRES:SIDEWALL

Problem score: 1

#2 BEST

1976

1 recall · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 3

#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	4	19	—	—	31	Excellent
2025	3	104	2	—	117	Excellent
2024	6	160	13	—	204	Excellent
2023	9	358	12	—	409	Good
2022	13	603	36	—	714	Good
2021	14	869	7	—	925	Caution
2020	5	505	14	—	548	Good
2019	6	909	31	—	989	Caution
2018	11	1470	60	3	1638	Avoid
2017	12	892	21	—	970	Caution
2016	9	1389	42	—	1500	Avoid
2015	9	1174	62	3	1340	Caution
2014	2	979	30	3	1060	Caution
2013	0	1987	52	6	2121	Avoid
2012	1	1236	23	1	1290	Caution
2011	2	1440	35	—	1516	Avoid
2010	0	612	18	—	648	Good
2009	1	209	21	—	254	Good
2008	0	236	29	2	304	Good
2007	2	321	26	2	389	Good
2006	8	368	22	—	436	Good
2005	8	683	36	1	784	Caution
2004	7	1184	28	5	1286	Caution
2003	5	228	21	1	290	Good
2002	5	515	44	—	618	Good
2001	10	724	62	2	888	Caution
2000	11	654	46	1	784	Caution
1999	10	692	71	—	864	Caution
1998	8	840	31	—	926	Caution
1997	11	1720	101	11	2010	Avoid
1996	3	185	10	2	224	Good
1995	3	411	25	2	480	Good
1994	5	493	31	—	570	Good
1993	6	398	9	—	434	Good
1992	5	308	7	5	362	Good
1991	3	184	4	—	201	Excellent
1990	3	182	3	—	197	Excellent
1989	3	135	4	2	162	Excellent
1988	2	79	2	1	94	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	3	2	—	—	11	Excellent
1980	2	2	—	—	8	Excellent
1979	6	1	—	—	19	Excellent
1978	5	11	—	—	26	Excellent
1977	3	1	—	—	10	Excellent
1976	1	0	—	—	3	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 31 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 0 recalls, 1987 owner complaints, and 6 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 2121 — 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, 1976, 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 →