Ford F-150 — the 12 years we've written up
1979–2023, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 9 of the 12 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 12 Ford F-150 model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Ford built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Ford F-150 by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Looking for a particular engine or trim?
Carbon buildup on EcoBoost engines — $300-$800
Loss of motive power from a battery junction box fault (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed
PowerBoost hybrid software issues (early 2021) — $0 software — if unresolved, expensive diagnosis
EcoBoost cam phaser rattle (3.5L/2.7L) — $1,000-$3,000 if affected
10R80 10-speed transmission harsh shifts and shudder — $0 software to $4,000 rebuild
Emissions system (DPF, EGR, DEF) failures — $1,500-$4,000
Carbon buildup on intake valves (EcoBoost) — $300-$800
Brake fluid leak into the booster on EcoBoost-equipped trucks (recall) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed, engine-dependent
5.0L oil consumption on some units — $0-$2,500 if severe
Timing chain stretch and cam phaser rattle — $2,000-$4,000
Electric power steering rack failure and intermittent loss of assist — $1,500–$2,300
Rust (cab corners, bed, frame) — $1,000-$10,000+
3 of these 12 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Ford F-150 in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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