Ford F-450 years to avoid (and the best years)

87 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls across 5 model years, 2012 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

87complaints
11recalls
4reported crashes
4reported fires
5reported injuries

Which Ford F-450 years should you avoid?

No Ford F-450 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Ford F-450 year has 19 complaints on file.

What are the best Ford F-450 years?

The Ford F-450 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (10), 2012 (14) and 2019 (19). 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
2020	24	1.3×	1	2	1	Few red flags	Fuel system
2019	19	1.0×	4	0	1	Few red flags	Steering
2018	10	0.5×	3	0	0	Few red flags	Engine
2017	20	1.1×	4	2	3	Few red flags	Body and structure
2012	14	0.7×	4	0	0	Few red flags	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 24 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain14 (58%)
Steering, suspension & tires4 (17%)
Electrical & infotainment2 (8%)
Structure & body2 (8%)
Brakes1 (4%)

Recalls (11)

Exterior lighting · 21V114000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2019
The excessive brightness may affect the vision of other drivers, 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 2017
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V398000 · May 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V342000 · May 2019 · model years 2017, 2018
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly 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.
Safety · 14V498000 · Aug 2014 · model year 2012
The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Safety · 13V535000 · Oct 2013 · model year 2012
An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
Engine · 13V380000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2012
Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
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.