Ford F-150: Best & Worst Model Years! (1997-Present)

If you've ever considered buying a new or used Ford F-150, this video is a must-watch. Since 1997, the F -150 has undergone numerous redesigns and updates, with some years standing out as stellar models and others... not so much. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the best and worst model years for the Ford F-150 (from 1997-Present Day), taking into account reliability, engines, and common problems. We'll discuss standout features and problematic areas, helping you to make an informed decision on which years to seek out and which to potentially avoid.

8020 Media Website:

Check Out Our Portfolio:

New Videos Every Week. Subscribe so you don't miss a video!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
What is 8020 Media?
8020 Media owns and operates a portfolio of content websites and eCommerce stores in the Automotive industry. We provide over a million monthly readers with high-quality automotive content, focused predominantly on technical and performance modification guides.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
00:29 – Best and Worst Years for the Ford F-150 History and Intro
01:00 – 1997-2004 Ford F-150 Engines, Problems, & Reliability (10th Gen F-150)
02:13 – 2004-2008 Ford F-150 Engines, Problems, & Reliability (11th Gen F-150)
03:19 – 2009-2014 Ford F-150 Engines, Problems, & Reliability (12th Gen F-150)
05:09 – 2015-2020 Ford F-150 Engines, Problems, & Reliability (13th Gen F-150)
06:51 – 2021-Present Day Ford F-150 Engines, Problems, & Reliability (14th Gen F-150)
08:02 – The Best Ford F-150 Model Years
08:35 – The Worst Ford F-150 Model Years
09:21 – Best and Worst Ford F-150 Engines
10:01 – Best and Worst Years for the Ford F-150 Disclaimer and Outro

[techevar]

I'm a car nut and have owned a variety of vehicles, including Chevys and Toyotas. I just bought a 2009 Ford F-150 King Ranch. I love the look and feel of the older trucks vs the plasticy newer ones. When I bought it, it had the common exhaust manifold leak, which I fixed. It's been running great ever since. If you can afford it, my advice is to buy an older F-150, fix the known issues, and call it a day. You'll have a beautiful truck and no car payment.

[JamesBrannen-ln]

I have a 2010 F150 supercrew 4x4 with 202000 miles. It has been almost flawless probably 4, 000 dollars in maintenance from 2010-2024. I’m still driving truck. Brakes, 1 spark plug coil.1 battery, oil changes.

[rhino]

My 2002 F150 with the 2 valve 5.4 runs like a champ

[mojorisin]

250k original miles my 2011 Expedition and still runs like new with few issues. Always run full synthetic and change 5-6k miles. I think after 2009 these motors were more bulletproof with the updates they received to fix those known issues.

[stephenwheeler]

97 ford f150 xlt sidestep 5.4 2v. The original engine had a fist size hole in the block. So i bought another vehicle with a 5.4 triton for 500. It was a 98 expedition. Only drove in reverse. Rebuilt that engine for my truck. Starting at 157, 400 miles. Now im 198, 000+.

I dont understand how people can bash the 5.4.

[derrickjohnson]

How are you Zach?Good I hope!I have that Modular 5.4 and the mechanic showed me just how bad those plugs can get.He gave me three of the plugs back and they had blown out-this is a 2012 Expedition and I have one window regulator that has gone out.Not many miles only 128, 000 miles on it but my repair had more to do with age and maintenance because the truck mostly gets driven on the highway .I will let you know on how it does because my goal is to get 75, 000 thousand more miles to reach my goal on the truck.

[dalesuddeth]

great info: question, on the 2022 2023 King Ranch. what the least problematic engine 3.5 Ecco or 5.0 Coyote? why? thanks, dale

[Diamonddogs]

The reason the 10gen was so reliable is because it was still just trying to be a work truck at the time. Simple, reliable and easy to fix when it does break down.

[rwindmann]

I had a 2008 with the 6 cyclinder. Talk about a piece of sh*t. Today I have a 2015 King Ranch with the 5.0 Coyote, 6 inch lift kit. Man, what a difference. She has 220k+ miles, and I once ran her 15k miles with the oil DTC on all the time. Still runs like brand new, no signs of slowing down. I could probably put turbo and nitrous on it, and it would go another 100k. Besides changing the battery 2 times, ZERO issues. Best truck I ever owned. And Forscan makes it even more fun to own. I thnk the only thing I've ever done to help is buy my oil at the truck stop, and always substituted one quart of oil with a quart of Lucas. Never been happier with a vhehicle purchase, and I bought it used in 2019...

[brandonmacon]

2005 stx 4.2 v6 was the best truck I ever had

[andydonahue]

I can’t agree with your assessment of the 10th gen f150, Mine spontaneously combusted in my driveway at 4am. I thank God I didn’t park it in my garage that night. Same thing happened to several others, according to a story on NBC news.

[MatthewDeMillo]

What does anyone have to say about 2019 3.3 ford

[OvaHendrix-jt]

Wow so when my 2009 ford 4*4 platinum teams down jam going to get a 5.0 in it

[alhoud]

5.4 VERY RELIABLE IF YOU DO 3000 MI OIL CHANGES

[aac]

You really glossed over how awful the 3.5L V6 is. I’m a Ford guy and I own an F-150. I hate the 3.5L Ecoboost and consider it one of the worst truck engines ever. If you’re getting an F-150, I would avoid anything that isn’t the 5.0L V8. I actively avoided the 3.5L Ecoboost like the plague. The timing chain likes to go and the turbos break among other issues. These repairs cost thousands

[dougkaspar]

Another YouTuber says 2015-2017 with 5.0 and 6 speed were the best F150s. I guess opinions are like noses…😅

[RafaelFerreira-quqn]

Geeech.. forget Ford too many problems....