My GarageIs the Ford F-150 a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.1/5 overall, with reliability at 4.0/5 and running costs at 4.0/5. Shop 2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote) first and treat 2011–2016 (1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost) as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Ford F-150 · Full-size pickup
Used Ford F-150 Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Ford Reliability Guide, Best Used Ford Models and Ford Mustang Buying Guide.
The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in North America for a reason. The 5.0L Coyote V8 and the mature 3.5L EcoBoost (2017+) are excellent; early 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.4L Triton engines need more careful shopping.
The F-150 is one of the vehicles covered in our high-mileage used car guide.
Cross-shopping full-size trucks? Read the used Ram 1500 buyer's guide.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.1/5 · Very good
- Reliability
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Best years
- 2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote), 2018–2023 (2nd-gen 3.5L EcoBoost)
- Years to research
- 2011–2016 (1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost), 2004–2010 (5.4L Triton 3V)
- Maintenance cost
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Parts availability
- 5.0/5 · Excellent
- Ownership cost
- 4.0/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes. Prefer 2015+ with Coyote 5.0L for maximum simplicity, or 2018+ with 2nd-gen 3.5L EcoBoost for efficiency.
Shopping a specific F-150?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.1/5
Pick the powertrain carefully and the F-150 is one of the best long-term truck ownerships available. The Coyote 5.0L is the safest pick; 2017+ 3.5L EcoBoost is dramatically improved over the first generation.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.0/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.0/5
Parts availability
★★★★★5.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.0/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote)
Aluminum body, proven Coyote V8, well-supported by independents.
2018–2023 (2nd-gen 3.5L EcoBoost)
Timing chain and cam-phaser issues addressed; refined and powerful.
Side by side
Ford F-150 ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.1/5 | Very good |
| Reliability | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Maintenance | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Parts availability | 5.0/5 | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | 4.0/5 | Very good |
Generation guide
Ford F-150 Generations
Jump straight to the generation you're shopping.
- Generation 1
11th gen (P2) · 2005–2008
Introduced in 2004; carried through 2008 with detail refinements.
- Generation 2
12th gen · 2009–2014
Tougher body, larger cabs, EcoBoost V6 introduced in 2011.
- Generation 3
13th gen · 2015–2020
Aluminum body, revised chassis, 2.7L EcoBoost added, 10-speed automatic from 2017.
- Generation 4
14th gen · 2021–2026
Updated aluminum body, PowerBoost hybrid added, Pro Power onboard generator.
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2011–2016 (1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost)
Cam-phaser rattle, timing-chain wear, intercooler condensation.
2004–2010 (5.4L Triton 3V)
Spark plugs breaking on removal; cam-phaser and timing-chain wear.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Cam-phaser rattle on 1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost
- ✓Timing-chain wear on early 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.4L Triton
- ✓10-speed early shifting harshness (later software addressed)
- ✓Direct-injection carbon buildup on EcoBoost
- ✓Rear coil-spring perch rust on older trucks
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
F-150 parts are cheap and universally available; independent shops know the platform cold.
Coyote 5.0L ownership is straightforward. EcoBoost ownership requires more attention to oil quality and cooling-system service.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
EcoBoost: listen for cam-phaser rattle at cold start; check intercooler for pooled condensation.
Transmission
6-speed or 10-speed smooth; verify software updates on 10AT.
Frame
Rust on cab corners and rockers on Northeast trucks.
Suspension
Ball joints, sway-bar links at 100k+.
Modifications
Tuned or heavily-towed trucks need extra scrutiny.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Best-selling truck in North America for good reasons — comfortable, capable, and widely serviced.
- • Real-world mpg varies wildly by powertrain and driving; Coyote is honest, EcoBoost is efficient when driven lightly.
- • Aftermarket and parts availability are unmatched.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Ford F-150?
Yes. Prefer 2015+ with Coyote 5.0L for maximum simplicity, or 2018+ with 2nd-gen 3.5L EcoBoost for efficiency. Inspect for cam-phaser and timing-chain history on 1st-gen EcoBoost.
People Also Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Ford F-150?
Verdict scores it 4.0/5 for reliability and 4.1/5 overall. Buy from 2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which F-150 years should I avoid?
2011–2016 (1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Ford F-150?
2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Ford F-150 last?
A well-maintained F-150 from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the F-150 expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.0/5 and parts availability 5.0/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used F-150?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, Frame, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common F-150 problems?
Cam-phaser rattle on 1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost; Timing-chain wear on early 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.4L Triton; 10-speed early shifting harshness (later software addressed); Direct-injection carbon buildup on EcoBoost
Is 150,000 miles too much for a F-150?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile F-150 with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the F-150's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Ford F-150?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2015–2020 (13th gen, 5.0L Coyote) first, treat 2011–2016 (1st-gen 3.5L EcoBoost) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
How the F-150 compares
Side-by-side buying comparisons against the models people cross-shop most.
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