Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
57% of the 99 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 61/100 — it scores about average.
99
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections61/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 60/10057%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 52%Across 99 used Ford F-150s we inspected, this model scores about average — average condition 61/100 vs 60 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
51%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
40%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
37%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
36%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
27%
Share of inspected Ford F-150s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 18%
Good 39%
Mediocre 34%
Poor 8%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
61%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 76%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
18%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
How long does a F-150 stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Good cars by age
Share of Ford F-150s in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Ford
Transit
59 cars · 54% good
Escape
37 cars · 46% good
Mustang
58 cars · 38% good
Explorer
29 cars · 37% good
Fusion
33 cars · 36% good
Other Ford models we've inspected — or see the full Ford profile.
Straight from recent Ford F-150 reports
2018 Ford F-150 · 86k mi — flagged: leaking or worn shock absorbers, steering wheel. Inspected Jul 8.
2014 Ford F-150 · 190k mi — flagged: oil leaks. Inspected Jun 19.
The bottom line
The F-150 story is dominated by oil leaks hitting 51 percent of engines along with frequent drivetrain seepage, fuel trim problems and electronic codes, so those demand your first attention on any example. Crawl underneath looking for seepage from the engine and transmission, then run a full diagnostic scan—if oil leaks or out-of-range fuel trims appear, negotiate aggressively or walk away rather than inherit the repairs. Tires frequently need work as well. With repaints on 61 percent of them but structural repairs almost nonexistent, focus your money and inspection time on the mechanicals instead of body history.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Ford F-150?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (51%), fuel trim out of range (40%), oil leaks (37%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 18% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Ford F-150? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 99 inspections · updated Jul 12, 2026
