Ford F Series (light) Problems by Year
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Ford F Series (light), across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (15). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Ford F Series (light) years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F Series (light) year: 1997, 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 (light): 15 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 F Series (light): 13 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 F Series (light): 10 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1995 F Series (light): 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1998 F Series (light): 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1996 F Series (light): 2 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 (light) problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Tires | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford F Series (light) model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 F Series (light) | 13 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 F Series (light) | 10 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 F Series (light) | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1999 F Series (light) | 6 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 F Series (light) | 1 | 0 | — | Tires | |
| 1997 F Series (light) | 15 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 F Series (light) | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 F Series (light) | 1 | 0 | — | Tires |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F Series (light) years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (15), 2001 (10), 2002 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical F Series (light) 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 (light)?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 18 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford F Series (light) have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.