Ford F-250 years to avoid
The Ford F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1982 is the cleanest year on record.
12,037
Total complaints
141
Recall campaigns
1967–2022
Years covered
16
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
F-250 years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,919 | |
| 2017 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,718 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 702 | |
| 2018 | High complaints + open investigation | 616 | |
| 2016 | High complaints + open investigation | 427 | |
| 2015 | High complaints + open investigation | 426 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 423 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 417 | |
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 384 | |
| 2020 | High complaints + open investigation | 351 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 348 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 332 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 269 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 255 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 238 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 236 |
Every F-250 year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 152 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 205 | 0 | |
| 2020avoid | 351 | 1 | |
| 2019avoid | 1,919 | 4 | |
| 2018avoid | 616 | 1 | |
| 2017avoid | 1,718 | 2 | |
| 2016avoid | 427 | 0 | |
| 2015avoid | 426 | 2 | |
| 2014avoid | 236 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 153 | 0 | |
| 2012avoid | 423 | 1 | |
| 2011avoid | 384 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 109 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 92 | 1 | |
| 2008avoid | 255 | 8 | |
| 2007 | 84 | 7 | |
| 2006avoid | 332 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 207 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 201 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 151 | 7 | |
| 2002 | 189 | 7 | |
| 2001avoid | 269 | 9 | |
| 2000avoid | 417 | 10 | |
| 1999avoid | 702 | 19 | |
| 1998 | 76 | 9 | |
| 1997avoid | 348 | 14 | |
| 1996 | 212 | 5 | |
| 1995avoid | 238 | 4 | |
| 1994 | 156 | 10 | |
| 1993 | 183 | 9 | |
| 1992 | 149 | 7 | |
| 1991 | 145 | 7 | |
| 1990 | 134 | 7 | |
| 1989 | 141 | 6 | |
| 1988 | 85 | 3 | |
| 1987 | 51 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 42 | 2 | |
| 1985 | 33 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 11 | 3 | |
| 1983 | 2 | 6 | |
| 1982 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1981 | 1 | 5 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1979 | 2 | 9 | |
| 1978 | 3 | 10 | |
| 1977 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 6 | |
| 1974 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 5 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1970 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1969 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1968 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1967 | 0 | 3 |
Common questions
What are the worst Ford F-250 years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest year on record is 1982.
What is the best year for the Ford F-250?
By complaint volume, 1982 has the cleanest NHTSA record among F-250 years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Ford F-250 have?
Across all model years, the F-250 has 141 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 12,037 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.