Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
58% of the 136 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 61/100 — it scores about average.
136
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections61/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10058%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 136 used Ford F-150s we inspected, this model scores about average — average condition 61/100 vs 61 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%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
38%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
36%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
32%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
32%
Share of inspected Ford F-150s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 29%
Good 29%
Mediocre 17%
Poor 25%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
61%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
1%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
19%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
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; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Ford
Transit
70 cars · 67% good
Escape
40 cars · 55% good
Mustang
68 cars · 47% good
Fusion
38 cars · 45% good
Explorer
32 cars · 40% good
F-250
30 cars · 40% good
Other Ford models we've inspected — or see the full Ford profile.
Straight from recent Ford F-150 reports
2023 Ford F-150 · 88k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, tires condition & wear. Inspected Nov 10.
2021 Ford F-150 · 78k mi — flagged: oil leaks, oil sludge, lights not working. Inspected Nov 7.
The bottom line
A quarter of these F-150s are in poor shape, and the trouble is oil and electronics, not crash repairs. Structural fixes almost never appear, so skip the frame panic. Engine oil leaks show up on 51% of trucks, drivetrain leaks are close behind, and fuel trim plus active codes round out the pattern. Before you talk money, look under the truck for wet spots and scan for live codes. Fresh rubber and a quiet scan are the floor; an active leak or a fuel-trim fault is your cue to cut the price or leave. Repaint is frequent; treat it as background, not the verdict.
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%), oil leaks (38%), fuel trim out of range (36%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 19% 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 136 inspections · updated Nov 11, 2026
