Ford F-150 Reliability by Year, 2016–2021
Comparing a used Ford F-150? Start with what changed between model years, then open the report for the car you are considering. The records below help you identify recall work, reported symptoms and questions for an inspection.
These records do not establish which year is most reliable. The 2016 has had more time to accumulate reports than the 2021, and we do not have sales or mileage data to calculate failure rates. Why age matters when reading complaints.
What changed from year to year
Compare the EPA-listed engines, transmissions, drivetrains and fuel economy with the previous year, alongside NHTSA crash-test ratings and recall campaigns. Open a pair for the details; the timeline does not cover every trim, equipment or production change.
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2016
The earliest model year covered here, so there is no prior year to compare it with.
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2017
A 10-speed automatic appears for 2017; the best combined rating for the 2.7-litre six-cylinder rises from 21 to 22 mpg; twelve recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, electrical system, engine and others).
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2018
EPA lists a 3.0-litre six-cylinder and a 3.3-litre six-cylinder for 2018 that do not appear in the 2017 listing; NHTSA's overall rating goes from 5 stars in 2017 to 4 and 5 stars in 2018; 23 recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, electrical system, engine and others).
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2019
EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2018; 16 recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (back over prevention, electrical system, engine and others).
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2020
The best combined rating for the 3.5-litre six-cylinder falls from 21 to 19 mpg; the best combined rating for the 3.0-litre six-cylinder falls from 25 to 24 mpg; eight recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (back over prevention, electrical system, engine and others).
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2021
A hybrid appears in the 2021 listing for the first time in this range; NHTSA's overall rating goes from 4 and 5 stars in 2020 to 5 stars in 2021; 36 recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (air bags, back over prevention, electrical system and others).
The record, year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations | Combined MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 | 1,743 | 4 | 16–21 | Full report → |
| 2017 | 18 | 1,116 | 3 | 16–22 | Full report → |
| 2018 | 19 | 1,895 | 2 | 16–25 | Full report → |
| 2019 | 9 | 994 | 1 | 16–25 | Full report → |
| 2020 | 11 | 543 | 1 | 16–24 | Full report → |
| 2021 | 29 | 1,253 | 1 | 15–25 | Full report → |
The same years side by side on one screen →
Sources and methodology
- Recalls, complaints and investigations: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Engines, transmissions, drive types and fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA/DOE)
- See our methodology and data sources pages for how these reports are built and their limitations.