The Best And Worst Years for The Ford F-150

Considering buying a Ford F-150? If you are looking at which options to choose and avoid, there are a lot of considerations. 

The Ford F-150 is so popular, some have come to call it America’s favorite pickup truck. This truck has been around for decades and so there are many different models to choose from, and some years actually might be worth avoiding. 

Want to know more so you can find the best option? Read further on where we will go over some of the best and worst years for the Ford F-150.

The Ford F Series

The F series is practically a staple of American truck culture, and that’s because they’ve been around for a long, long time. Today we will focus more specifically on the F-150, Ford’s most popular truck, and the model that you will see most often on the road. 

The F-150 is an affordable light-duty truck that has been in production since 1975. Over its many decades of service, the F-150 has become the best-selling truck ever. Over time many different models of the Ford F-150 were introduced to provide unique features for devotees to the F-150.

These can range from safety features, and the addition of modern technology, to changes in the design and different choices in customizable parts. 

Some of the different years of the F-150 we will cover below: 

• 2014
• 2022
• 2009
• 1996
• 2003
• 2006
• 2004
• 2018
• 2015
• 2016

What Are The Best Years For The Ford F-150?

Ford has produced lots of high-quality models of F-150 over the years. But some models are recognized as having certain qualities that make them stand out over the rest. In each section, we will highlight some of their standout features so you can decide which one works best for you. 

 We understand that much of this is subjective and based on preference, but we’ve included a wide selection to give you an idea of what’s considered the best F-150 years. 

2014 Ford F-150

2013 and 2014 were both solid years for the Ford F-150, with both having various different cab options and engine choices. Cab options start with a standard single cab but also come with the option to select a Super Cab or Crew Cab instead. Standard cab options come with 2 doors and the crew and Super Cab come with 4.

As for engine options, 2013 and 2014 F-150 drivers have a surprising breadth of options. The engine options for the 2013 and 2014 Ford F-150 are:

• 302 horsepower 3.7-liter V6
• 411 horsepower 6.2-liter V8
• 365 horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6  

These features give the driver a great deal of control over the customizable options, a welcome option for those who are familiar with the F-150 and know exactly what they want to get out of their truck. 

Depending on the mileage, you could find one of these listed at a price of anywhere from $7k to $30k or more. That means  

2022 Ford F-150

If you are looking for a model with all of the newest features, it makes sense to go for a Ford that was made recently. The 2022 Ford F-150 received an updated interior following its major redesign in 2021.

The 2022 Ford F-150 comes in a variety of models and price ranges. Here are all of the available models of Ford F-150 from 2022: 

• XL – $31,000
• XLT – $39,000
• Lariat –  $49,000
• King Ranch – $60,000 
• Platinum – $63,000
• Limited – $77,625
• Tremor – $54,000
• Raptor – $70,000

Each trim has its own price point because they each have its own unique features. You can expect more expensive options to have more premium customized options, and the less expensive ones to be closer to a regular stock F-150. 

2009 Ford F-150

This one is a throwback, and definitely lacks the modern features of the newest F-150s, but these are a great model to look at if you are open to used options that still have lots to give. The 2009 F-150 is a smooth ride with nice handling. This is a popular year for this Ford pickup truck, so if you see one of these in good condition, consider it as an option. 

The 2009 Ford F-150 is generally regarded as having a strong engine, a nicely refined interior for the time and high safety scores too. And because some of these have been on the road now for over a decade, you can probably find one for a pretty good price. 

1996 Ford F-150

Yep, we are going even further back! If you are attracted to the idea of buying an older car, this happens to be an excellent year for the F-150. If you feel like you have a knack for spotting a good used or vintage vehicle, then a 1996 model can be a true jewel! 

These are also some of the best-looking trucks around, in my opinion, and because they are so reliable, one of these is likely to last for a long time, if you take good care of it. 

2003 Ford F-150

This year of Ford F-150 is known to be particularly reliable, and a great option to look into if you are ok with forfeiting some of the features that can only be found on the newer models. This model generally comes with high reviews, suggesting that it should be a good choice for people looking for a good F-150.

2006 Ford F-150

The 2006 F-150 is another model not from the past ten years that we still feel makes the cut for some of their best work. The 2006 models are reliable, drive smoothly, and come with a practical and stylish design. 

The 2006 model can deliver on all of the best qualities to be found in a Ford F-150, so long as you are willing to buy a used model. As was true for the 2003 F-150, this a good year to look at if you value the simplicity of an older car, and can pull off identifying which ones are worth getting.  

What Are The Worst Years For The Ford F-150?

If you are looking for a Ford F-150, there are plenty of great years to choose from. Most of the time, you are in for the high performance that this truck has become known for, but in some years have actually gotten some backlash from consumers! As always, some years of production are better than others, but it can also be said that some years are worse too! 

Below are some years you may want to avoid when you are shopping for a Ford F-150.

2004 Ford F-150

Ford ran into some issues in the early 2000s, especially with their models coming out in 2004. Unfortunately, users report running into some problems with the engine, especially when running the car in idle. Problems with the spark plug are also commonly reported, and overall this year seems more finicky than the others. 

2018 Ford F-150

Even the later models of the Ford F-150 might not be free from some errors. For the 2018 Ford F-150, issues with the build quality seem to be of some concern. Some drivers report their door latches being weak or failing to latch. Often they would fail to do so in colder weather, making this a problem for the winter months. 

Another more common issue reported involves issues with the transmission, issues with shifting, and a generally weak suspension. These are issues not necessarily common with other years, making the 2018 F-150 one to avoid if possible. 

2015 Ford F-150

The 2015 model has some issues with the brakes, leading to some safety concerns while driving. While not necessarily common, brake failure is a serious mechanical mishap that can result in serious consequences. But the 2015 Ford F-150 has some other issues to consider too. 

The 2015 Ford F-150 also has some other commonly reported issues like: 

• Carbon monoxide leaks in the cabin 
• Rough downshift 
• Vacuum pump leaks
• Coolant leaks 

2016 Ford F-150

This model has lots of safety problems associated with it, which is definitely a red flag for anyone looking to purchase a vehicle. One of the biggest of these safety concerns comes from reports of brake failure, a problem that can easily contribute to some serious problems while on the road. 

Users of the 2016 Ford F-150 have also reported problems with a grinding noise coming from the vehicle. Some have also had issues with brake fluid leaks causing drivers to have to pull over for a tow. Avoid this year if you want to save yourself some avoidable problems. 

Conclusion

The Ford F-150 has been around for quite some time, and for anyone who knows anything about trucks, it’s obvious it’s here to stay. Much of this is owed to the staying power of these vehicles, and the quality that they continue to deliver to their users. Still, it’s good to look out for some years of this pickup truck, and avoid some others to get the best shot at a good model. 

Happy hunting!