Ford F-450 Problems by Year
Ford F-450 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F-450 year: 2017, 2019, 2020. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2020 F-450: 24 complaints, 1 recall
- 2017 F-450: 21 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2019 F-450: 20 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2014 F-450: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2016 F-450: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2013 F-450: 6 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford F-450 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 9 | 0 |
| Power Train | 19 | 6 | 1 |
| Steering | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| Structure | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford F-450 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 F-450 | 24 | 1 | — | Fuel System, Diesel | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2019 F-450 | 20 | 4 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 F-450 | 10 | 3 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2017 F-450 | 21 | 4 | — | Structure | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 F-450 | 4 | 0 | — | Engine | |
| 2015 F-450 | 6 | 2 | — | Engine | |
| 2014 F-450 | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2013 F-450 | 6 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2012 F-450 | 14 | 4 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2011 F-450 | 9 | 2 | — | Engine | |
| 2010 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2008 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2007 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2006 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2005 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2004 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2003 F-450 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-450 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2017 (21), 2019 (20), 2020 (24) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F-450 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford F-450?
Engine, with 24 complaints across 9 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford F-450 have?
14 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.