Ford F-250 years to avoid (and the best years)

4,483 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls across 12 model years, 2010 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

4,483complaints
10recalls
68reported crashes
57reported fires
55reported injuries

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Ford F-250 years to avoid are 2017 and 2019. The typical Ford F-250 year has 260 complaints on file.

2017: 1,154 complaints, 4.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the steering (62% of complaints) and the suspension (51% of complaints).
2019: 1,150 complaints, 4.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the steering (67% of complaints) and the suspension (59% of complaints).

What are the best Ford F-250 years?

The Ford F-250 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2010 (73), 2013 (95) and 2014 (142). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2021	159	0.6×	0	3	0	Few red flags	Fuel system
2020	255	1.0×	1	2	2	Few red flags	Transmission and drivetrain
2019	1,150	4.4×	4	16	12	Approach with caution	Steering
2018	382	1.5×	1	6	4	Some concerns to check	Steering
2017	1,154	4.4×	2	12	13	Approach with caution	Steering
2016	286	1.1×	0	6	6	Few red flags	Steering
2015	273	1.0×	2	7	7	Few red flags	Steering
2014	142	0.5×	0	2	0	Few red flags	Suspension
2013	95	0.4×	0	2	1	Few red flags	Suspension
2012	266	1.0×	1	4	5	Few red flags	Suspension
2011	248	1.0×	2	6	1	Few red flags	Suspension
2010	73	0.3×	0	2	4	Few red flags	Steering

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 750 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain273 (36%)
Steering, suspension & tires271 (36%)
Electrical & infotainment67 (9%)
Structure & body65 (9%)
Other systems44 (6%)

Recalls (10)

Safety · 25V270000 · Apr 2025 · model year 2015
A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V576000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2019
An improperly welded axle may affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19V688000 · Sep 2019 · model year 2019
A broken passenger side rear axle could result in a loss of drive power and the inability to hold the vehicle still when in Park. If the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V633000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2019, 2020
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V401000 · May 2019 · model year 2015
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V894000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 17V331000 · May 2017 · model year 2017
If the doors unlatch and open in a side impact collision, the occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Transmission · 11V582000 · Dec 2011 · model year 2012
THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.
Electrical system · 11V128000 · Feb 2011 · model year 2011
IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Structure · 10V659000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2011
IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DEVELOPS, AN OVERHEATING CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE FIRE.