Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
56% of the 127 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 61/100 — it scores about average.
127
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections61/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10056%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 127 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
52%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
38%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
35%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
33%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
31%
Share of inspected Ford F-150s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 29%
Good 27%
Mediocre 18%
Poor 26%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
62%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
20%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
65 cars · 46% good
Fusion
38 cars · 45% good
Explorer
32 cars · 40% good
F-250
28 cars · 36% good
Other Ford models we've inspected — or see the full Ford profile.
Straight from recent Ford F-150 reports
2022 Ford F-150 · 36k mi — flagged: dirty or low engine oil, powertrain control module, direct current/alternating current converter module. Inspected Oct 16.
2021 Ford F-150 · 94k mi — flagged: fault codes recently cleared, oil leaks. Inspected Oct 15.
The bottom line
These trucks split into two piles, and the weak ones are usually an oil problem, not a wreck. Engine oil leaks show up on 52% of them, with drivetrain seepage, fuel-trim faults, and live codes stacked behind, plus tired tires. Paint is the bright spot: fewer repaints than the wider fleet, and structural repairs are rare, so a clean cab does not mean a healthy truck. Get it on a lift before you trust the shine. If the engine and the underside are both wet and the scanner is lit, treat the asking price as a repair bill or walk.
FAQ
?
?
What are the most common problems on a used Ford F-150?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (52%), oil leaks (38%), fuel trim out of range (35%). 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.
Book an inspection
Based on 127 inspections · updated Oct 22, 2026
