Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.America's favorite model isn't without its reliability concernsThere’s still a few years to go before the all-new Ford F-150 arrives. In the meantime, the current model has managed to keep the nameplate on top in the full-size pickup segment—at least, as far as sales are concerned. But not every best-seller is automatically the most reliable, so we’ve taken a look at the best and worst years for Ford’s pickup. Using complaint data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), we’re able to see which years and/or generations of the pickup experienced the most problems, so let’s get into it.Ford F-150 Generations2021 Ford F-150FordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe F-150 is one of the longest-running vehicle nameplates, so before interrogating the data, it’s useful to know the model years for each generation. The truck is currently in its 14th generation, but we’ll only go as far back as 1981, as data further back than this is challenging to come by and the earlier gens are now considered classics.F-150 Model Years and Generations1980-1986: 7th Generation1987-1991: 8th Generation1992-1996: 9th Generation1997-2003: 10th Generation2004-2008: 11th Generation2009-2014: 12th Generation2015-2020: 13th Generation2021-present: 14th GenerationOlder models will typically have more complaints on file since they’ve been around for longer. For this reason, Vinitel—a data integration and VIN intelligence platform—has ranked F-150 models based on the number of complaints per 10,000 units sold, where this data is available. 2024-2026 models have been excluded, since these models are still fairly new so have not yet had enough time to establish a clear reliability reputation.Let’s get into the Ford F-150’s reliability record by year.Ford F-150 Model Years to Avoid2015 Ford F-150FordBetween 1981 and 2026, there have been 47,240 complaints logged on the NHTSA for the F-150, resulting in a complaint rate of 30.4 per 10,000 vehicles sold in the USA. These are the model years to avoid:AdvertisementAdvertisement2011-2019 (12th and 13th generations)1997-2001 (10th generation)2004-2005 (11th generation)These variants all had a high number of complaints and many experienced multiple recalls. There were 26 recalls for the 1997 model alone, for instance, and another 20 for the 2001 model. However, many recalls are minor and don’t point to serious reliability issues.2015 Ford F-150FordMost Common Ford F-150 ComplaintsTransmission/drivetrain: 7,043 complaintsEngine problems: 4,371 complaintsElectrical faults: 2,855 complaintsUnintended acceleration: 2,135 complaintsBrakes: 2,003 complaintsOn Car Complaints, the 2018 F-150 is rated as the worst overall due to expensive engine issues, but it’s the 2004 model with the most overall complaints. These results correlate with data from the NHTSA.While many F-150s can last for many years, watch out for troublesome engines like the 5.4-liter Triton V8 which had a problematic spark plug design. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is generally viewed as more dependable, as is the smaller 4.6-liter V8. Furthermore, transmission problems in 11th-gen models can be concerning, with reports of the truck disengaging from Park by itself and rolling away.Related: The Most Reliable Ford Engine Might Not Be What You ExpectFord F-150 Models With Average Ratings2006 Ford F-150FordAdvertisementAdvertisementThe following Ford F-150 model years sit between the two extremes with a moderate number of overall complaints.1992-1995 (9th Generation)2002-2003 (10th Generation)2006-2007 (11th Generation)2010 (12th Generation)Later 10th-generation models have a generally more favorable reputation than earlier models, but here again, it’s worth watching out for spark plug issues with the Triton V8. With proper care, many of the pickups listed here have lasted for well over 200,000 miles.Related: Ford Vs Chevrolet Reliability: One Clear Winner, But It's Not PrettyMost Reliable Ford F-150 Model Years2009 Ford F-150FordThe best used Ford F-150 may very well be the one that has the most meticulous service and maintenance record, but the data suggests that the following model years are especially tough:AdvertisementAdvertisement2008-2009 (11th and 12th generations)1996 (9th Generation)1981-1991 (7th and 8th Generations)The 7th, 8th, and 9th generations are now very old, so even though the models above are known to be some of the most reliable Ford F-150 trucks around, you will likely be facing issues with rust and electronics. The 2009 model’s 3.7L V6 and 5.0L Coyote V8 engines are highly regarded for reliability and are not as complex as the EcoBoost engines introduced for the 12th-gen models.Car Complaints also shows a much lower than average number of complaints for the 2009 model, so this is a strong bet as a cheap, used, and reliable F-150.Newer F-150 Reliability RecordFord F-150 STXFordIf you’re after a more modern Ford F-150, Consumer Reports has rated the 14th-generation model, but the news isn’t great. Excluding the hybrid, the F-150 has a low predicted reliability rating of just 43 out of 100. Hybrid models are not much better, with a score of 49/100. Surprisingly, these are the best ratings in the full-size pickup segment, which rates poorly for reliability overall. Owners have had to contend with issues like glitchy infotainment systems and, for the EcoBoost engine, oil consumption and chain tensioner problems.On the NHTSA, the 2021 F-150 leads all other model years with a jaw-dropping 27 recalls. These are for a wide range of issues, which aligns with Ford’s recent recall record, which has been the worst in the industry.Related: Ford May Break Its Own Recall Record Again in 2026Final Thoughts2009 Ford F-150FordFull-size pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 have every chance of lasting well beyond 200,000 miles, but they’re heavy and complicated vehicles that can be expensive to maintain. This is more so the case for high-end Crew Cab models, whereas older Single Cab variants are a lot more basic—and, therefore, less likely to let you down. Between these extremes are a bewildering array of variants, all with lower or higher reliability concerns. You can lower your risk by shopping only for well-kept used examples with a lower number of complaints, and by avoiding specific engines that have proved more troublesome than others.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.