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Ford F-150: common problems & condition

121
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
60/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
55%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 55%



Across 121 used Ford F-150s we inspected, this model scores about average — average condition 60/100 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
53%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
36%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
35%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
31%

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

How they score

Excellent 28% Good 27% Mediocre 18% Poor 26%
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%
21%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 (10 cars) 40–60k mi: 100% in good shape (13 cars) 60–80k mi: 58% in good shape (12 cars) 80–100k mi: 69% in good shape (13 cars) 100–120k mi: 59% in good shape (17 cars) 120–140k mi: 31% in good shape (16 cars) 140–160k mi: 36% in good shape (11 cars) 160–180k mi: 38% in good shape (8 cars) 180–200k mi: 40% in good shape (5 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 (8 cars) 4 years old: 91% in good shape (11 cars) 6 years old: 78% in good shape (9 cars) 7 years old: 69% in good shape (16 cars) 8 years old: 50% in good shape (14 cars) 9 years old: 25% in good shape (8 cars) 11 years old: 67% in good shape (6 cars) 12 years old: 25% in good shape (8 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 $26,079 — compare the odds of getting a good truck across every make at that budget. Compare →
More on Ford
Transit 63 cars · 66% good Escape 40 cars · 55% good Mustang 65 cars · 46% good Explorer 30 cars · 44% good Fusion 36 cars · 42% good F-250 27 cars · 34% good

Other Ford models we've inspected — or see the full Ford profile.

Straight from recent Ford F-150 reports

1992 Ford F-150 · 151k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, exhaust system leaks, oil leaks. Inspected Sep 8.
2018 Ford F-150 · 126k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Aug 22.
The bottom line

Oil is the story with used F-150s. Engine leaks show up on 53 percent of them, and drivetrain leaks plus fuel-trim issues sit right behind, so start with a look underneath and a code scan before you talk price. Expect worn tires and active error codes too. Repainted panels are common but structural repairs almost never happen, so a respray matters less than wet oil. A big share already sit in poor shape, so if you find leaks or codes, walk instead of hoping a discount covers it.

FAQ
?
Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
55% of the 121 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 60/100 — 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 (53%), oil leaks (36%), fuel trim out of range (36%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 21% 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 121 inspections · updated Sep 11, 2026