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Ford F-150: common problems & condition

112
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
61/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
56%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 53%



Across 112 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
54%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
38%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
38%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
36%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
29%

Share of inspected Ford F-150s where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 16% Good 40% Mediocre 36% Poor 8%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.

63%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
20%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
How long does a F-150 stay good?
Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 20–40k mi: 100% in good shape (8 cars) 40–60k mi: 100% in good shape (12 cars) 60–80k mi: 64% in good shape (11 cars) 80–100k mi: 64% in good shape (11 cars) 100–120k mi: 59% in good shape (17 cars) 120–140k mi: 27% in good shape (15 cars) 140–160k mi: 40% in good shape (10 cars) 160–180k mi: 38% in good shape (8 cars) 200–220k mi: 0% in good shape (5 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 2 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 3 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 4 years old: 91% in good shape (11 cars) 6 years old: 88% in good shape (8 cars) 7 years old: 69% in good shape (16 cars) 8 years old: 46% in good shape (13 cars) 9 years old: 25% in good shape (8 cars) 12 years old: 14% in good shape (7 cars) 13 years old: 20% in good shape (5 cars) 15 years old: 40% in good shape (5 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

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.

What else does ~$26k buy? A used Ford F-150 typically sells for around $26,225 — compare the odds of getting a good truck across every make at that budget. Compare →
More on Ford
Transit 61 cars · 55% good Escape 37 cars · 46% good Mustang 60 cars · 38% good Fusion 35 cars · 37% good Explorer 30 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 · 141k mi — flagged: oil leaks, smoothness, boots. Inspected Jul 28.
2017 Ford F-150 · 136k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, smoothness. Inspected Jul 16.
The bottom line

Oil leaks define the F-150 ownership risk: more than half already seep from the engine and over a third from the drivetrain, so crawl underneath with a light before you even open the door. Follow that immediately with a full code scan—active faults and out-of-range fuel trims each show up on nearly four in ten trucks and give you clear leverage to walk or cut the price hard. Structural repairs are rare, so body condition is secondary; put your money into verifying the powertrain is dry and the electronics are quiet rather than chasing cosmetic perfection.

FAQ
?
Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
56% of the 112 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 61/100 — it scores about average.
?
What are the most common problems on a used Ford F-150?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (54%), active error codes (38%), fuel trim out of range (38%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 20% 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 112 inspections · updated Aug 1, 2026