Ford Pickup Problems by Year
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Ford Pickup, across 4 model years (1997–2000). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (15). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Ford Pickup years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Pickup year: 1997. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 Pickup: 15 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 Pickup: 11 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Pickup: 7 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 Pickup problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Ford Pickup model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Pickup | 6 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 Pickup | 11 | 0 | — | Suspension | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Pickup | 7 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 1997 Pickup | 15 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Pickup years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (15) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Pickup 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 Pickup?
Suspension, with 8 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Pickup have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.