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Ford F100 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford F100 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
30
Years to Avoid
1983, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1974, 1973
Best Years
1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1968
1996
3 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990
2 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1987
0 complaints1 recalls
1986
0 complaints1 recalls
1985
3 complaints0 recalls
1984
1 complaints1 recalls
1983Avoid
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1982
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1981
0 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
1980
1 complaints3 recalls
1979Avoid
2 complaints9 recalls
1978Avoid
0 complaints8 recalls
1977Avoid
0 complaints5 recalls
1976
0 complaints2 recalls
1975
0 complaints1 recalls
1974Avoid
3 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1973Avoid
0 complaints4 recalls1 TSBs
1972
0 complaints3 recalls
1971
0 complaints1 recalls
1970
0 complaints1 recalls
1969
1 complaints1 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1967
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 F100 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1983, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1974, 1973 Ford F100 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 F100, consider the 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1968 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

30 model years analyzed