Ford F-150 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford F-150 model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 are rated Avoid, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100 and 2,981 complaints, mostly transmission and engine problems. The 2005-2010 years score lowest for reported problems (indexes 5-40) and carry Good verdicts.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2018
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 24,072
- Recall campaigns
- 122
- Crashes reported
- 761
- Fires reported
- 322
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
F-150 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford F-150 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 30 | 1,112 | 50 | 29 | 3 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 20 | 585 | 58 | 18 | 4 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 5 | 488 | 40 | 13 | 2 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 10 | 369 | 39 | 12 | 1 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 15 | 324 | 28 | 8 | 2 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Good | 40 | 843 | 23 | 35 | 1 | Electrical System | 16 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 85 | 2,189 | 46 | 18 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 75 | 1,781 | 40 | 14 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 2,981 | 77 | 35 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 55 | 1,533 | 38 | 16 | 8 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 1,710 | 50 | 13 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19.5 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 90 | 2,053 | 56 | 25 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 1,437 | 42 | 21 | 17 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 95 | 2,308 | 64 | 33 | 18 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 65 | 1,327 | 17 | 7 | 9 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19.5 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 45 | 727 | 19 | 4 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 70 | 1,012 | 13 | 4 | 29 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 50 | 594 | 20 | 7 | 23 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 35 | 407 | 18 | 4 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 25 | 188 | 17 | 3 | 11 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2025 | Caution | 0 | 104 | 6 | 3 | 13 | Electrical System | 19 | — |
F-150 years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Ford F-150 Index 100 · 2,981 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 F-150 is the worst-rated year overall, with a complaint index of 100 and 2,981 total complaints. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 45% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 94,000, including unexpected shifts and downshifting. Engine complaints (26%) included engine fires reported at low mileage. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including a brake master cylinder fix and two rounds of powertrain control module software updates.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →2013 brakes problems →
2018 Ford F-150 Index 95 · 2,308 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2018 F-150 has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of any year, with 2,308 total complaints. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 44% of complaints at a median failure mileage of 60,000, including loss of gear indication when shifting from park to drive. Engine complaints (28%) also occurred at a median of 60,000 miles. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for this year, the most of any avoid year, including brake master cylinder and powertrain control module fixes.
2018 transmission & powertrain problems →2018 engine problems →2018 structure & body problems →
2016 Ford F-150 Index 90 · 2,053 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2016 F-150 has a complaint index of 90. Transmission & Powertrain complaints (28%) showed a median failure mileage of 94,726. Brakes complaints (17%), including reports of brake failure while backing up, occurred at a median of 35,000 miles. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns, including two separate brake master cylinder recalls and a transmission control module update.
2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →2016 brakes problems →
2011 Ford F-150 Index 85 · 2,189 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 F-150 has a complaint index of 85, the fourth-worst of any year. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 38% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 97,000, including unexpected downshifts into first gear. Engine complaints (29%) included fires and stalling reported around 54,000 miles median. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including two for powertrain control module reprogramming to fix unexpected downshifting.
2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 engine problems →2011 steering problems →
2015 Ford F-150 Index 80 · 1,710 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2015 F-150 has a complaint index of 80. Transmission & Powertrain complaints (24%) had a median failure mileage of 82,500. Brakes complaints (20%) occurred at a median of 51,000 miles, and owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this year, including fixes for transmission range sensor signal loss and brake master cylinder fluid leaks.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 brakes problems →
2012 Ford F-150 Index 75 · 1,781 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2012 F-150 carries a complaint index of 75. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 90,000, including reports of vehicles shifting unexpectedly from park. Engine complaints (34%) had a much lower median mileage of 27,551, including sudden loss of power while accelerating. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, including transmission control module reprogramming.
2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →2012 steering problems →
Most common Ford F-150 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain8,009 (33%)
- Engine5,962 (25%)
- Electrical System2,908 (12%)
- Brakes2,718 (11%)
- Other2,230 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1,693 (7%)
- Steering1,637 (7%)
- Structure & Body1,582 (7%)
- Fuel System1,268 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires907 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford F-150 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 as Avoid years for the F-150, with 2013 carrying the highest complaint index at 100 out of the 21 model years covered.
- What is the best Ford F-150 year to buy?
- No F-150 year earns a Best verdict. The 2005-2010 years are rated Good, with complaint indexes between 5 and 40, the lowest range of any years covered.
- Why is the 2013 Ford F-150 rated Avoid?
- The 2013 F-150 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 2,981 total complaints. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 45% of those complaints, with a median failure mileage of 94,000.
- Does the Ford F-150 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. Several Avoid years, including 2011, 2012, and 2013, were recalled for unexpected transmission downshifts, and the 2015 F-150 was recalled for a transmission range sensor signal loss.
- Are recent Ford F-150 years reliable?
- Years 2019-2025 are all rated Caution, several capped by high recall counts (up to 29 recall campaigns for 2021) even though their complaint indexes range from 0 to 70, generally lower than the Avoid years.