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Ford F-150: common problems & condition

119
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
60/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100
56%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 55%



Across 119 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%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
36%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
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 28% 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: 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: 67% in good shape (12 cars) 100–120k mi: 59% in good shape (17 cars) 120–140k mi: 31% in good shape (16 cars) 140–160k mi: 40% in good shape (10 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: 60% in good shape (5 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 $26,248 — compare the odds of getting a good truck across every make at that budget. Compare →
More on Ford
Transit 62 cars · 66% good Escape 39 cars · 54% good Mustang 63 cars · 46% good Explorer 30 cars · 44% good Fusion 35 cars · 43% 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

2018 Ford F-150 · 126k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Aug 22.
1995 Ford F-150 · 182k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, smoothness, smoke, excessive vapor in exhaust. Inspected Aug 20.
The bottom line

This F-150 market is split down the middle, so treat every truck as guilty until the underside proves otherwise. Oil leaks are the story — more than half already seep from the engine, and drivetrain leaks pile on — so get it on a lift first and walk if leaks show up with fuel-trim trouble. Scan for live codes before you negotiate; stacked engine and electronics faults mean you are buying someone else's deferred work. Worn tires are common enough to use as a price chip. Paint and structure look cleaner than the usual used lot, so do not get distracted by body talk when the powertrain is the real risk.

FAQ
?
Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
56% of the 119 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%), fuel trim out of range (36%), oil leaks (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 119 inspections · updated Aug 27, 2026