Used Ford F-150: Inspection checklist
Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 5,612 complaints across these 8 years; the 2018 drew the most.

Choose a model year
2025
Most reported: transmission
64 complaints13 recallsOpen checklist
2024
Fewest complaintsMost reported: exterior lights
146 complaints9 recallsOpen checklist
2023
Most reported: transmission
383 complaints10 recallsOpen checklist
2022
Most reported: transmission
657 complaints21 recallsOpen checklist
2021
Most reported: transmission
1,021 complaints26 recallsOpen checklist
2020
Most reported: transmission
517 complaints7 recallsOpen checklist
2019
Most reported: transmission
972 complaints6 recallsOpen checklist
2018
Most complaintsMost reported: transmission
1,852 complaints15 recallsOpen checklist
Problems that follow the F-150 from year to year
Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.
| Area | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | 694 | 479 | 203 | 315 | 166 | 117 | 26 | 14 | 2,014 |
| Electrical | 106 | 59 | 58 | 117 | 150 | 79 | 24 | 13 | 606 |
| Engine | 363 | 205 | 59 | 40 | 7 | 10 | 684 | ||
| Brakes | 50 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 19 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 179 |
| Exterior lights | 70 | 49 | 13 | 45 | 2 | 179 |
F-150 generations and updates
First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.
14th generation
2021–now
13th generation
2015–2020
2018 update: New front and rear styling; Updated engine lineup
Mileages where F-150 problems start
From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.
| Typical mileage | Problem | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 200–2,000 miles | Stop Safely Now no-start | 2023 |
| 300–700 miles | A/C lines freezing up | 2023 |
| 300–1,500 miles | Parking brake self-engaging | 2023 |
| 500–5,330 miles | Shifter freezes or self-shifts | 2025 |
| 700–900 miles | Early drivetrain and engine faults | 2024 |
| 767–9,700 miles | Reduced-power drivetrain warnings | 2024 |
| 800–6,000 miles | Cold-weather front hub grinding | 2023 |
| 1,000–6,500 miles | Brake loss with warning lights | 2025 |
| 1,200–6,500 miles | Early engine failure or oil loss | 2021 |
| 1,400–7,900 miles | Frozen door latches won't close | 2018 |
| 1,500–9,420 miles | Sudden brake pedal loss | 2021 |
| 2,700–2,800 miles | Speaker pops and loud static | 2022 |
| 14,482–55,000 miles | Rear axle hub bolt shearing | 2021 |
| 15,000–80,000 miles | Excessive engine oil consumption | 2020 |
Every F-150 recall to confirm
74 recalls cover the F-150years on this site. Open a campaign number for NHTSA's full notice. 23 campaigns span more than one model year. One told owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired.
- 21V407000SteeringDo not drive2021
- 25V315000Backup camera2021–2024
- 24V852000Equipment2021–2024
- 25V729000Wipers and visibility2021, 2022, 2023
- 25V512000Transmission2023, 2024, 2025
- 23V896000Transmission2021, 2022, 2023
- 23V509000Brakes2021, 2022, 2023
- 20V097000Exterior lights2018, 2019, 2020
- 19V633000Seats2018, 2019, 2020
- 25V455000Fuel system2021, 2022
Show 64 more recalls
- 25V198000Engine2024, 2025
- 25V164000Transmission2024, 2025
- 25V132000Electrical2021, 2022
- 24V851000Engine2024, 2025
- 24V635000Engine2021, 2022
- 23V070000Transmission2022, 2023
- 22V842000Wipers and visibility2021, 2022
- 22V623000Transmission2021, 2022
- 22V250000Wipers and visibility2020, 2021
- 22V193000Electrical2021, 2022
- 21V986000Transmission2021, 2022
- 19V805000Electrical2019, 2020
- 19V278000Engine2018, 2019
- 18V894000Engine2018, 2019
- 25V823000Brakes2025
- 25V540000Electrical2025
- 25V517000Exterior lights2022
- 25V515000Exterior lights2022
- 25V489000Seat belts2025
- 25V488000Brakes2025
- 25V398000Electrical2025
- 25V344000Engine2025
- 25V348000Exterior lights2021
- 25V309000Steering2025
- 25V271000Equipment2025
- 25V199000Electrical2025
- 25V169000Transmission2021
- 25V022000Steering2024
- 24V682000Exterior lights2022
- 24V486000Wipers and visibility2024
- 24V443000Electrical2021
- 24V329000Steering2024
- 23V847000Steering2023
- 23V802000Exterior lights2022
- 23V163000Wipers and visibility2021
- 23V128000Transmission2023
- 23V072000Airbags2023
- 22V684000Airbags2022
- 22V686000Exterior lights2022
- 22V675000Wheels and tires2022
- 22V414000Fuel system2021
- 22V252000Backup camera2019
- 22V253000Steering2022
- 22V188000Transmission2021
- 22V142000Wipers and visibility2021
- 22V150000Brakes2018
- 21V983000Door latches and locks2018
- 21V805000Airbags2021
- 21V653000Seat belts2021
- 21V533000Brakes2021
- 21V381000Transmission2021
- 21E027000Suspension2018
- 21V155000Wheels and tires2018
- 21V090000Wipers and visibility2021
- 20V467000Electrical2020
- 20V197000Transmission2020
- 19V903000Wheels and tires2020
- 18V568000Seat belts2018
- 18V392000Fuel system2018
- 18V213000Transmission2018
- 18V214000Transmission2018
- 17V669000Transmission2018
- 17V672000Engine2018
- 17V598000Body and structure2018
Cars shoppers compare with the F-150
Before you shortlist a F-150
- Ford F-150 reliability by yearAuto Reliability Index
- Ford F-150 years to avoidAuto Reliability Index
- Ford F-150 electrical problemsAuto Reliability Index
- Ford F-150 engine problemsAuto Reliability Index
- Ford F-150 transmission problemsAuto Reliability Index
- Ford F-150 wipers and visibility problemsAuto Reliability Index





