Ford F-450 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Ford F-450 model years 2020, 2022, and 2024 are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 80, 100, and 93 versus best years 2013, 2015, and 2016 scoring 20, 13, and 7. 2020 saw fuel system issues, 2022 electrical and brake complaints, and 2024 engine fires at low mileage.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 194
- Recall campaigns
- 73
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 16
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 47 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | Good | 40 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 11 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | Best | 20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Engine | — | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 33 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Best | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | Best | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 15 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2018 | Good | 27 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 10 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 73 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 13 | Steering | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 11 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 12 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 14 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 60 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 ! | Brakes | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 93 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 87 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 ! | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
F-450 years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Ford F-450 Index 100 · 24 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2022 F-450 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, ranking worst overall. Electrical system complaints lead at 38% of reports with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles, followed by brake complaints at 29%. Owners described trailer brakes disconnecting unexpectedly while towing and battery warning lights preceding sudden engine stalls. Recalls address wiper arm breakage, fuel system PCM software, and a trailer module software update. Two do-not-drive recalls are not tied to this specific year but affect similar model ranges.
2024 Ford F-450 Index 93 · 8 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 F-450 has a complaint index of 93, ranking 2nd worst. Engine problems make up 63% of complaints with a low median failure mileage of 9,707 miles, and electrical issues follow at 38% with a median of 5,003.5 miles. Owners reported engine bay fires, smoke through the vents, and popping sounds from the instrument panel shortly after purchase. Recalls cover a trailer module software update and camera/sensor water intrusion issues affecting the rearview display.
2020 Ford F-450 Index 80 · 24 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2020 F-450 carries a complaint index of 80 and ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years. Fuel system problems dominate, making up 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 103,000 miles for that area. Owners also reported transmission and powertrain issues around 78,500 miles. Recalls cover fuel system PCM software, a rearview camera display issue, and a steering column upper shaft that could detach and cause loss of steering control. One complaint described the steering wheel failing to respond at 60 MPH, sending the truck into a ditch.
Most common Ford F-450 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine52 (27%)
- Electrical System33 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (15%)
- Fuel System28 (14%)
- Structure & Body26 (13%)
- Other24 (12%)
- Steering23 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (12%)
- Brakes22 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Ford F-450 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2020, 2022, and 2024 as Avoid years for the Ford F-450, with complaint index scores of 80, 100, and 93 respectively, the three highest among all 16 model years covered.
- What is the best Ford F-450 year to buy?
- 2013, 2015, and 2016 are rated Best, with the lowest complaint index scores at 20, 13, and 7. The 2016 model year has the fewest recalls of the group at 3.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford F-450?
- Across all years, Engine issues are the top problem area with 52 complaints (27% share), followed by Electrical System at 33 complaints (17%) and Transmission & Powertrain at 29 complaints (15%).
- Does the 2022 Ford F-450 have a steering or brake recall?
- The 2022 F-450 has recalls for wiper arm breakage, fuel system PCM software, and a trailer module software update; owners separately reported brake complaints making up 29% of that year's issues, including trailer brake disconnects while towing.
- Are 2024 Ford F-450 engine problems serious?
- Engine complaints account for 63% of 2024 F-450 reports with a median failure mileage of just 9,707 miles, and several sample complaints describe engine bay fires and smoke through the vents.