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Ford F-250 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford F-250 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
59
Years to Avoid
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 1999, 1997
Best Years
1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967
2026
15 complaints8 recalls56 TSBs
2025
21 complaints8 recalls123 TSBs
2024
63 complaints4 recalls216 TSBs
2023
78 complaints16 recalls288 TSBs
2022
174 complaints17 recalls1 invest.244 TSBs
2021
218 complaints13 recalls1 invest.242 TSBs
2020Avoid
370 complaints15 recalls3 invest.300 TSBs
2019Avoid
1,946 complaints12 recalls3 invest.249 TSBs
2018Avoid
644 complaints10 recalls3 invest.251 TSBs
2017Avoid
1,837 complaints15 recalls3 invest.328 TSBs
2016
456 complaints4 recalls1 invest.124 TSBs
2015
460 complaints3 recalls2 invest.142 TSBs
2014
273 complaints1 recalls1 invest.159 TSBs
2013
185 complaints1 recalls1 invest.159 TSBs
2012
520 complaints1 recalls1 invest.136 TSBs
2011
573 complaints2 recalls1 invest.163 TSBs
2010
157 complaints1 recalls42 TSBs
2009
125 complaints1 recalls37 TSBs
2008
432 complaints6 recalls1 invest.84 TSBs
2007
169 complaints4 recalls2 invest.42 TSBs
2006
685 complaints4 recalls2 invest.105 TSBs
2005
588 complaints5 recalls2 invest.144 TSBs
2004
547 complaints7 recalls3 invest.88 TSBs
2003
380 complaints7 recalls5 invest.87 TSBs
2002
471 complaints7 recalls4 invest.36 TSBs
2001
600 complaints9 recalls8 invest.36 TSBs
2000
694 complaints10 recalls5 invest.89 TSBs
1999Avoid
1,006 complaints19 recalls5 invest.246 TSBs
1998
77 complaints9 recalls3 invest.213 TSBs
1997Avoid
400 complaints14 recalls3 invest.316 TSBs
1996
223 complaints5 recalls2 invest.179 TSBs
1995
250 complaints4 recalls2 invest.189 TSBs
1994
158 complaints10 recalls5 invest.156 TSBs
1993
187 complaints9 recalls3 invest.88 TSBs
1992
152 complaints7 recalls9 invest.67 TSBs
1991
146 complaints7 recalls11 invest.52 TSBs
1990
134 complaints7 recalls11 invest.35 TSBs
1989
141 complaints6 recalls5 invest.30 TSBs
1988
85 complaints3 recalls6 invest.27 TSBs
1987
51 complaints2 recalls5 invest.17 TSBs
1986
42 complaints2 recalls4 invest.17 TSBs
1985
33 complaints2 recalls3 invest.15 TSBs
1984
11 complaints3 recalls3 invest.13 TSBs
1983
2 complaints6 recalls3 invest.9 TSBs
1982Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls6 TSBs
1981Best Year
1 complaints5 recalls6 TSBs
1980Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
1979Best Year
2 complaints9 recalls
1978Best Year
3 complaints10 recalls
1977Best Year
3 complaints6 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints6 recalls
1974Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints5 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1970Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1968Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford F-250 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 1999, 1997 Ford F-250 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford F-250, consider the 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

59 model years analyzed