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Ford F-450 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford F-450 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
36
Years to Avoid
2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017
Best Years
2010, 2009, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991
2026
4 complaints4 recalls52 TSBs
2025
2 complaints5 recalls121 TSBs
2024
16 complaints3 recalls211 TSBs
2023Avoid
9 complaints13 recalls286 TSBs
2022Avoid
37 complaints14 recalls241 TSBs
2021
27 complaints12 recalls2 invest.237 TSBs
2020Avoid
33 complaints10 recalls3 invest.303 TSBs
2019Avoid
40 complaints9 recalls3 invest.247 TSBs
2018
15 complaints7 recalls3 invest.226 TSBs
2017Avoid
28 complaints11 recalls3 invest.321 TSBs
2016
5 complaints3 recalls1 invest.125 TSBs
2015
8 complaints4 recalls2 invest.139 TSBs
2014
5 complaints4 recalls1 invest.160 TSBs
2013
10 complaints8 recalls1 invest.164 TSBs
2012
31 complaints7 recalls1 invest.143 TSBs
2011
23 complaints8 recalls1 invest.168 TSBs
2010Best Year
4 complaints6 recalls35 TSBs
2009Best Year
5 complaints5 recalls30 TSBs
2008
105 complaints3 recalls88 TSBs
2007
19 complaints2 recalls48 TSBs
2006
44 complaints2 recalls99 TSBs
2005
47 complaints5 recalls121 TSBs
2004
43 complaints3 recalls1 invest.128 TSBs
2003
18 complaints6 recalls3 invest.110 TSBs
2002
15 complaints6 recalls3 invest.51 TSBs
2001
28 complaints9 recalls7 invest.49 TSBs
2000
59 complaints7 recalls5 invest.64 TSBs
1999
76 complaints11 recalls5 invest.92 TSBs
1998Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls2 invest.10 TSBs
1997Best Year
9 complaints4 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1996Best Year
5 complaints2 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1995Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1994Best Year
3 complaints3 recalls2 invest.5 TSBs
1993Best Year
5 complaints4 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1992Best Year
3 complaints2 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1991Best Year
19 complaints1 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs

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-450 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017 Ford F-450 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-450, consider the 2010, 2009, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

36 model years analyzed