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Not every used F-150 is worth buying. Some model years are notorious for their reliability issues and shoddy build quality. Stay away from them.
Ford introduced its F Series line of pickups back in 1948 and has now evolved to a collection of light-duty, Super Duty, and Class 6-8 trucks. While the F-250 and F-350 take care of heavy-duty hauling, trucks like the F-450, F-650, and F-750 take care of all things commercial. That being said, our interest lies primarily with the consumer-centric F-150.
It’s imperative to touch on what the F-150 has contributed to the world of pickup trucks. Essentially, the popularity of the F-150 is unrivaled to the extent that Ford roughly sells 103 units of the F-150s per hour—translating to approximately two a minute!
Quite literally, the most popular pickup truck in the market, the Ford F-150 has seen 14 generations over the course of its lifetime. While we focus on the aspects of pre-owned F-150s that largely belong to the thirteenth generation and prior, we ought to understand how sophisticated pickups have become. From being purpose-built utilitarians to the symbol of American ingenuity, the Ford F-150 is very much the best pickup truck available, thanks to its duality and impressive levels of reassurance.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Not every F-150 is worth having. Some model years are notorious for their reliability issues and shoddy build quality. In this discussion, we’ll go over which ones you should stay away from.
Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2004 F-150 has about 16 recalls to date. While many claim it to be the worst F-150 in history, it’s hard to overlook the number of problems it bore, making it the closest to a lemon. The reason why it became the worst in the F-150 lineup was primarily due to it having the worst engine in the known world.
Problems like spark plugs having the tendency to break off when removed from the engine along with sudden plug ejection—perhaps due to the cylinders’ aluminum heads or even over-tightening. Faulty window regulators were common in the 2004 model year. Chief among them were the plastic window clips breaking and causing the window to suddenly crash into the door.
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While the 2004 model was an engineering nightmare, things didn’t improve all that much in the 2005 Ford F-150, getting a total of 14 recalls. The faulty window regulators remained, leading to mechanics thinking the 2005 build was a rushed exercise. Also, the spark plug problems persisted, leading to DIY maintenance leaving pieces lodged inside the cylinder. Lastly, the Triton 5.4-liter V8 had its fair share of problems with a continuous knocking sound attributed to either the cam phaser or bad cylinder heads.
Likely the worst modern F-150 is the 2010 model year. Consumers reported issues with the MyFord infotainment where the unit displayed abrupt screen failure and unresponsiveness. In some cases, it fails to recognize smartphones, and the rear-view camera stops working when the truck is in reverse.
Leaks were common, the gaskets in the oil pan and engine head drip oil, leading to a complete mess and expensive repair bills. Problems with spark plugs causing ignition coil failure were not uncommon, leading to misfire and inability to start. Reports also pointed to the automatic transmission suddenly downshifting into second gear in the middle of a drive, which could potentially lead to catastrophic engine failure.
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As a rule of thumb, it’s important to research the car you’re getting into while going over the ones to avoid. No car in the history of the automobile industry is perfect, and the Ford F-150 is no exception. Some of the worst model years of the Ford F-150 and the ones you should avoid buying are 2004, 2005, and 2010. Although the F-150 has a decent reputation, these models have proven to be quite problematic.
It’s worth pointing out that the conclusions are based on customer response, and some of them could be nothing more than just a one-off experience. Sure, there are other serious concerns that can be unsettling, but really, it’s not the end of the world.
While some models have shown to be problematic, realize that most of the specific issues have not been reported in exceptionally high numbers. Apart from a few, of course. The F-150 is certainly a reliable commuter; there’s no arguing that. Yes, the mid-2010s weren't particularly great. But the least reliable among them are still cheaper to maintain than most high-end luxury vehicles. The Ford F-150 is by no means a bad truck. It’s just that its multi-decade-long reputation has been tainted by some not-so-great years.
A relatively naive bloke in every aspect other than cars. The nuances of the motoring world fascinated him ever since he was a toddler. Fast forward 20-odd years, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering, and now pens down on all things motoring.