Ford F Series years to avoid
The Ford F Series years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 2001, 1999, 2002, 1998 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1986 is the cleanest year on record.
395
Total complaints
11
Recall campaigns
1971–2008
Years covered
6
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
F Series years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 55 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 55 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 54 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 44 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 43 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 32 |
Every F Series year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2002avoid | 43 | 1 | |
| 2001avoid | 54 | 1 | |
| 2000avoid | 55 | 1 | |
| 1999avoid | 44 | 0 | |
| 1998avoid | 32 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 55 | 0 | |
| 1996 | 17 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 20 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 7 | 0 | |
| 1990 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1978 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1977 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Ford F Series years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the F Series years to avoid are 1997, 2000, 2001, 1999, 2002, 1998. The cleanest year on record is 1986.
What is the best year for the Ford F Series?
By complaint volume, 1986 has the cleanest NHTSA record among F Series years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Ford F Series have?
Across all model years, the F Series has 11 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 395 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.