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Ford F SeriesYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 315 NHTSA owner complaints across 33 model years, no Ford F Series year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. The F Series has 10 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'99 '00 '01 '02Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints315Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls101971–2008 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Ford F Series years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F Series median. Tap a year for its full report.

'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'84'85'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2008Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls2007Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2006Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2005Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls2004Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls2003Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2002Solid61/10034 complaints · 1 recall2001Solid46/10044 complaints · 1 recall2000Solid50/10041 complaints · 1 recall1999Solid57/10036 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/10020 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid46/10047 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/10016 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/10016 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1007 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1990Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1989Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/1006 complaints · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1985Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1973Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1972Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1971Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Ford F Series problems

All model years combined: 315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling876
Electrical system4525
Fuel system, gasoline350
Vehicle speed control3418
Structure232
Tires192
Engine173
Service brakes, hydraulic174
Steering142
18 other systems8110
10 recalls

Ford F Series recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Structure03V-094 · 2000–2003 · Mar 7, 2003 · 3,674 vehicles–Foundation components: master cylinder90V-100 · 1990 · May 24, 1990 · 365 vehicles–Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist90V-097 · 1989–1990 · May 21, 1990 · 3,200 vehicles–Steering: linkages89V-009 · 1988–1989 · Jan 24, 1989 · 24,454 vehicles–Driveline: air85V-168 · 1984–1985 · Dec 20, 1985 · 51,500 vehicles–Antilock: control unit/module79V-077 · 1975–1979 · Mar 29, 1979 · 65,000 vehicles–Visibility: windshield78V-161 · 1978 · Jul 25, 1978 · 16 vehicles–Cooling system: fan78V-153 · 1971–1977 · Jul 3, 1978 · 125,000 vehicles–Tires: markings77V-189 · 1978 · Oct 25, 1977 · 5,000 vehicles–Leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket76V-035 · 1974–1975 · Mar 3, 1976 · 11,911 vehicles
13 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the F Series

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · 1997–2003 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLYEA05004 · 2001 · closed Jul 6, 2005
    No recall
  3. FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLYRQ04011 · 2001 · closed Feb 17, 2005
    No recall
  4. TIRE VALVE STEMRQ02002 · 1999–2001 · closed Aug 19, 2002
    Led to recall 01V-046
  5. PULLS UNDER HARD BRAKINGSQ00002 · 1999–2000 · closed Jan 22, 2001
    No recall
  6. FRONT CENTER LAP BELT ANCHORAGEPE00003 · 2000 · closed Apr 20, 2000
    No recall
  7. UNDERCARRIAGE FIRESPE97005 · 1997 · closed May 12, 1997
    No recall
  8. PINCHED WIRING HARNESSESEA96028 · 1995–1996 · closed Jul 25, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-111
  9. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL FIREPE96041 · 1995–1996 · closed Nov 14, 1996
    No recall
  10. UNDER DASH FIRESPE94034 · 1986–1988 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall