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Ford F Series (medium) — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford F Series (medium) model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
29
Years to Avoid
1997, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987
Best Years
2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1985, 1984, 1983
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999
6 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1998
2 complaints0 recalls
1997Avoid
7 complaints0 recalls13 TSBs
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls29 TSBs
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.13 TSBs
1989Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.11 TSBs
1988Avoid
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.11 TSBs
1987Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1986
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.5 TSBs
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982
0 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs
1981
0 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs
1980
0 complaints2 recalls2 TSBs
1979
0 complaints2 recalls
1978
0 complaints2 recalls
1977
0 complaints1 recalls
1976
0 complaints1 recalls
1975
0 complaints1 recalls
1974
0 complaints1 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 Series (medium) Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1997, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987 Ford F Series (medium) 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 Series (medium), consider the 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1985, 1984, 1983 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

29 model years analyzed