Ford F Series Problems by Year
NHTSA has 280 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Ford F Series, across 14 model years (1995–2008). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (47). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Ford F Series years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F Series year: 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 F Series: 47 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 F Series: 44 complaints, 1 recall
- 2000 F Series: 41 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2003 F Series: 1 complaint, 1 recall
- 2008 F Series: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2006 F Series: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
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 Series problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 86 | 13 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 39 | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 30 | 9 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 29 | 11 | 0 |
| Structure | 20 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| Tires | 15 | 6 | 1 |
| Steering | 14 | 6 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 | 7 | 0 |
| Power Train | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford F Series model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 F Series | 1 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2007 F Series | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2006 F Series | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2005 F Series | 9 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2004 F Series | 7 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 2003 F Series | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2002 F Series | 34 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 F Series | 44 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 F Series | 41 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 F Series | 36 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 F Series | 20 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 F Series | 47 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 F Series | 16 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 F Series | 16 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F Series years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (47), 1999 (36), 2000 (41), 2001 (44), 2002 (34) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F Series 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 Series?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 86 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford F Series have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.