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Ford F-150: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)

By · Data: NHTSA, updated · How we score

Ford F-150 problems by model year, from 19,235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.

14 OF 14 YEARS ELEVATED

Worst years to avoid: 2019 (76%, 745 drivetrain complaints), 2018 (64%, 1,187 drivetrain complaints) and 2012 (62%, 1,044 drivetrain complaints). 14 of the 14 Ford F-150 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 5 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.

No Ford F-150 year we score is clear of an elevated signal. The lowest is the 2015 (34%).

By raw volume, the 2013 drew the most drivetrain complaints (1,669 of 9,790 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023

34%1056%1162%1261%1339%1434%1540%1656%1764%1876%1962%2050%2140%2248%23

Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.

Every Ford F-150 year

Model yearSignalDrivetrain shareDrivetrain complaintsAll complaintsRank (1 = worst)Recalls
2010 F-150elevated34%27385113/141
2011 F-150high56%1,1762,1376/146
2012 F-150very high62%1,0441,7173/144
2013 F-150very high61%1,6692,7965/143
2014 F-150elevated39%5151,36212/148
2015 F-150elevated34%4591,42514/1414
2016 F-150high40%6901,76511/1414
2017 F-150high56%6051,1257/1418
2018 F-150very high64%1,1871,9142/1419
2019 F-150very high76%7451,0051/149
2020 F-150very high62%3305504/1411
2021 F-150high50%5741,2778/1429
2022 F-150high40%29480710/1423
2023 F-150high48%2295049/1413

What owners complain about most, all years

POWER TRAIN6,378 · 33%
ENGINE3,564 · 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,164 · 11%
SERVICE BRAKES1,971 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,812 · 9%
STEERING1,183 · 6%

Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford F-150 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.

Ford F-150 engine and transmission recalls: timeline

NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns on the Ford F-150 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 103 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.

DateCampaignComponentModel years
Dec 201111V582000power train: automatic transmission2011
May 201212V190000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2011–2012
Apr 201616V248000power train: automatic transmission2011–2012
Jan 201717V053000power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)2017
Oct 201717V669000power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2018
Oct 201717V672000engine2018
Oct 201717V671000power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2017
Apr 201818V213000power train: automatic transmission2017–2018
Apr 201818V214000power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)2018
Jun 201818V392000fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2018
Dec 201818V894000engine2015–2019
Feb 201919V075000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2011–2013
Apr 201919V278000engine2015–2019
Jun 201919V433000power train: automatic transmission2013
Feb 202020V098000engine2015–2016
Apr 202020V197000power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)2020
May 202121V381000power train: driveline: driveshaft2021
Dec 202121V986000power train: driveline: driveshaft2021–2022
Mar 202222V188000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2021
Jun 202222V414000fuel system, gasoline: storage2021
Aug 202222V623000power train: driveline: driveshaft2021–2022
Feb 202323V070000power train: automatic transmission2022–2023
Feb 202323V128000power train: axle assembly2023
Dec 202323V896000power train: axle hubs2021–2023
Jun 202424V444000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2014
Aug 202424V635000engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical2021–2022
Mar 202525V169000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2021
Jul 202525V455000fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2021–2022
Aug 202525V512000power train: axle hubs2023
Apr 202626V237000power train: automatic transmission2015–2017
Jun 202626V375000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2018
Jun 202626V378000power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)2014
Jun 202626V402000power train: automatic transmission2021
Sep 202626V578000fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting2023
69 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
DateCampaignComponentModel years
Dec 201010V659000structure: body2011
Feb 201111V049000structure: body: door2010
Feb 201111V128000electrical system: software2011
May 201212V198000air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive2012
Jun 201414V316000steering: electric power assist system2014
Nov 201414V709000exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2014
Nov 201414V710000seats2014
Apr 201515V251000structure: frame and members: underbody shields2015
May 201515V279000steering2015
Sep 201515V614000forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control2015
Dec 201515V867000seat belts: front: anchorage2015
Feb 201616V110000air bags: sensor: occupant classification2016
May 201616V345000service brakes, hydraulic: fluid2013–2014
Jun 201616V475000seats: front assembly: recliner2016
May 201717V331000latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2015–2017
May 201717V332000seats: front assembly: recliner2017
Jul 201717V472000seat belts2014
Aug 201717V526000seat belts: rear/other2015–2017
Aug 201717V529000air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module2017
Sep 201717V598000structure: body: roof and pillars2018
Sep 201717V599000seats2017
Oct 201717V652000latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2015–2017
Nov 201717V767000seats2016
Aug 201818V568000seat belts: pretensioner2015–2018
Aug 201919V633000seats: front assembly: recliner2018–2020
Nov 201919V805000electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables2019–2020
Dec 201919V903000tires: bead2020
Feb 202020V097000exterior lighting: headlights2018–2020
Jun 202020V332000service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2014–2017
Aug 202020V467000electrical system: starter assembly2020
Sep 202020V575000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2020
Feb 202121V090000visibility: windshield: critical fasteners2021
Mar 202121V155000tires2018
Apr 202121E027000suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2015–2018
May 202121V407000steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2021
Jul 202121V533000service brakes, hydraulic2021
Aug 202121V653000seat belts: front: webbing2021
Oct 202121V805000air bags: sensor: side impact2021
Dec 202121V983000latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch2018
Mar 202222V142000visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2021
Mar 202222V150000service brakes, hydraulic: power assist2016–2018
Mar 202222V193000electrical system: integrated trailer brake control2021–2022
Apr 202222V250000visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages2020–2021
Apr 202222V252000back over prevention: sensing system: camera2019
Apr 202222V253000steering: column2022
Sep 202222V675000wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2022
Sep 202222V684000air bags2022
Sep 202222V686000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022
Nov 202222V842000visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2021–2022
Feb 202323V072000air bags: frontal2023
Mar 202323V163000visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages2021
Jul 202323V509000parking brake: electrical2021–2023
Nov 202323V802000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022
Dec 202323V847000steering: column2023
Jun 202424V443000electrical system: body control module: software2021
Sep 202424V682000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022
Nov 202424V852000equipment: other: labels2018–2023
Feb 202525V132000electrical system: integrated trailer brake control2021–2022
Apr 202525V236000service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2017–2018
May 202525V315000back over prevention: software2021–2023
May 202525V348000exterior lighting: back up lights2021
Jun 202525V442000back over prevention: software2019–2020
Aug 202525V515000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022
Aug 202525V517000exterior lighting: lighting control module2022
Oct 202525V729000visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2021–2023
Feb 202626V104000electrical system: integrated trailer brake control2021–2023
Jun 202626V370000electrical system: instrument cluster/panel2017
Jun 202626V373000exterior lighting: headlights2018–2020
Jul 202626V489000back over prevention: display function2021–2023
In the full report

What the free pages leave out on the Ford F-150

  • The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
  • What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
  • Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Check a VIN: first report free30-day pass, $12.99, unlimited

Questions people ask about the Ford F-150

What are the worst years for the Ford F-150?

On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford F-150 years are the 2019 (76% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2018 (64% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2012 (62% of relevant complaints, very high). 14 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.

What are the best years for the Ford F-150?

No Ford F-150 year we score is below the 33% line. The lowest share is the 2015 (34%).

Does the Ford F-150 have transmission problems?

In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 9,790 of 18,861 relevant NHTSA complaints (52%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Is the Ford F-150 reliable?

On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 14 of 14 Ford F-150 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 0 do not. Pooled across those years, 52% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.

Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford F-150?

Yes. NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford F-150 years we track, out of 103 in total: 26V378000 (Jun 2026, 2014), 26V402000 (Jun 2026, 2021), 26V578000 (Sep 2026, 2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.