Ford F-450 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford F-450 years to avoid are 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024, based on NHTSA complaint indexes as high as 100 (2008) and 95 (2022). The best-rated years are 2015 and 2016, with complaint indexes of 15 and 10.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2024Best 2015Best 2016
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 356
- Recall campaigns
- 83
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 19
- Top problem area
- Engine
F-450 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-450 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 50 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 55 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2007 | Good | 25 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 68 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Engine | — | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 45 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 40 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 11 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 35 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Best | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Best | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 15 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 30 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 80 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 13 | Steering | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 90 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 11 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 75 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 12 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 95 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 14 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 60 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 ! | Brakes | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 85 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
F-450 years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Ford F-450 Index 100 · 68 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 F-450 carries the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 68 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 62% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 31,000 miles. Owners report acceleration problems and engine failure, in some cases with the engine failing again shortly after a dealer repair. Fuel system issues, 28% of complaints, included fuel pump failures at a median of 24,593 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, covering structure/body and electrical system components, including a battery wire clearance issue tied to the diesel engine.
2022 Ford F-450 Index 95 · 24 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2022 F-450 has a complaint index of 95 from 24 complaints, with one do-not-drive recall. Electrical system problems lead at 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Owners report battery warning lights followed by total electrical failure and engine stall while towing, plus trailer brakes disconnecting while towing an 18,000-pound trailer. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns, including a wiper arm breakage recall.
2020 Ford F-450 Index 90 · 24 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2020 F-450 has a complaint index of 90 from 24 complaints. Fuel system issues lead at 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 103,000. Owners report fuel-smell related engine bay fires, unintended tailgate opening while towing, and a steering wheel that failed to respond at 60 mph, sending the vehicle into a ditch. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns, including a steering column upper shaft detachment recall and a fuel system PCM software issue.
2024 Ford F-450 Index 85 · 8 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 F-450 has a complaint index of 85 from 8 complaints. Engine problems make up 63% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 9,707. Owners report engine bay fires, including one with flames visible after a smoky odor while driving at 57 mph on cruise control, and popping noises from the instrument panel with smoke through the vents. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year.
2019 Ford F-450 Index 80 · 23 complaints · 13 recalls
The 2019 F-450 has a complaint index of 80 and 23 complaints, with steering the top problem area at 39% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 26,500. Suspension, wheels, and tires followed at 26% with failures around 26,000 miles. Owners report front-end wobbling and shaking at highway speed and tire tread separating from steering tires. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this year, including camera system and seating-related campaigns.
2021 Ford F-450 Index 75 · 18 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2021 F-450 has a complaint index of 75 from 18 complaints, one of which involved a do-not-drive recall. Electrical system and structure/body issues each account for 28% of complaints. Owners report unintended tailgate opening while towing, in one case at a median of 725 miles, and transmission that stuck in 10th gear with reduced braking response while descending a grade at 35 mph. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this year.
Most common Ford F-450 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine118 (33%)
- Fuel System109 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain43 (12%)
- Electrical System42 (12%)
- Steering34 (10%)
- Structure & Body31 (9%)
- Other29 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires29 (8%)
- Brakes25 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (2%)
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-450 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 as Avoid years. 2008 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2022 at 95 and 2020 at 90.
- What are the best Ford F-450 years?
- 2015 and 2016 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 15 and 10 out of the years covered, the lowest in the lineup.
- Why is the 2008 Ford F-450 rated Avoid?
- It has 68 complaints and the highest complaint index (100) of any F-450 year, with engine problems making up 62% of complaints at a median failure mileage of 31,000.
- Does the Ford F-450 have a lot of recalls?
- Across 2005-2025, NHTSA lists 83 total recall campaigns for the F-450. Years like 2011, 2012, and 2017 have 10 or more recalls each, which capped their verdicts to Caution despite lower complaint indexes.
- What is the most common problem on the Ford F-450?
- Engine issues are the top problem area overall, accounting for 33% of all complaints (118 complaints), followed by fuel system issues at 31% (109 complaints).