How Long Do Ford F-150s Last? (8 Important Facts)

Since its debut in 1975, the Ford F-150 has integrated itself into the American consciousness, growing to become the country’s longest-lasting truck.

The F-150 is part of Ford’s F-Series, but it continues to overshadow the rest of the lineup in terms of popularity, sales, and revenue.

What really makes the F-150 tick? Is the truck as reliable as Ford and fans make it out to be? Let’s find out how long the F-150 lasts in this article.

How long do Ford F-150s last?

Ford F-150s are known for their durability, often lasting between 150,000 and 300,000 miles before requiring an engine repair. When used as work trucks with an average yearly mileage of roughly 15,000 miles, these tough vehicles can provide dependable service for a long time – often 20 to 30 years.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Ford F-150?

Going by reports from users and several independent bodies, the F-150 can deliver up to 200,000 miles before requiring expensive upgrades.

This translates to around 17 years of life expectancy if you average 12,000 miles yearly, which is common for contractors.

For a truck its size, the Ford F-150 is exceptionally built and designed to withstand rough handling. In 2018, when Consumer Reports was compiling a list of vehicles likely to reach the 200k miles mark without bank account-wreaking repairs, the F-150 was the only pickup that made the cut.

The Ford F-150 is the fifth most likely light-duty pickup truck to surpass 200,000 miles, according to a recent analysis by iSeeCars, which analyzed over 15.8 million vehicles sold in 2019.

Other well-known publications back up the F-150’s durability:

• According to VehicleHistory.com, the F-150 is twice as likely as the typical vehicle to achieve the coveted 200,000-mile mark.
• According to GetJerry.com, the average Ford F-150 may go between 150,000 and 300,000 miles, depending on the model year, use, and climate. Newer versions have longer lifespans and more efficient powertrains.

Meanwhile, any F-150 with 200,000 miles on the clock is already in vintage territory.

Newer generations of the F-150 feature even better engineering designs improved durability, and more efficient powertrains.

So, late-model versions of the truck will likely break the 300k mile target with little trouble for the owners, except you end up with a problematic model year.

Almost any F-150 truck will reach and even exceed 300k miles with minimal maintenance and repair expenses, but user habits matter a lot.

For people who use their F-150 as a work truck and daily driving, you may not expect the truck to last 300,000 miles considering the hauling and towing it has to do several times a week.

But you can’t go wrong with this powerful truck if you want a dependable pickup that combines efficiency and durability.

Also, read our article about the Ford F-150 and the key system.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Ford F-150?

You can expect rust or corrosion on a Ford F-150 at any time in its life. It doesn’t matter whether your truck is an old model with a steel shell or a new-generation aluminum build.

Several F-150 owners have complained of rust and corrosion on their trucks right after buying the vehicle.

Some people found corroded body panels on F-150s at dealerships.

If you notice paint bubbles, peeling paint, or flashy signs on the bodywork, your F-150 is likely experiencing corrosion or rust. There is even a class action lawsuit about the F-150’s rust and corrosion problem.

The suit claims that the F-150 trucks experience premature corrosion because of defects in the paint and the aluminum body. It also claims Ford knew of the problem but didn’t do enough to help customers.

Your dealership might help you if the rust problem surfaces when you are still under warranty.

Many owners of the F-150 depend on DIY solutions such as an undercoat or an entirely fresh paint job to protect their trucks from rust. You will probably need it too if you want to sell the vehicle in the future.

While Ford has addressed rust problems with its vehicles, new allegations from 2021 F-150 customers have appeared on social media and online forums.

Some owners submitted photos showing rust on underbody sections of their brand-new trucks, including the exhaust, differential, and wheel hubs.

When Car and Driver inquired about this concern, Ford replied that while some F-150 underbody steel components may exhibit symptoms of surface rust, it would have no effect on past performance or life.

Owners all around the country, even those beyond the typical “salt belt” where vehicle corrosion is most common, report that Ford dealers sent rusted 2021 F-150 pickups to them.

How Long Do Ford F-150s Last Compared to Similar Trucks

Compared with trucks in its class, the F-150 lasts long. Let’s compare the vehicle to other pickups:

Ford F150 vs. Dodge Ram 1500

Here is a table comparing the F150 and Ram 1500:

Also, check our article to know “Where are Ford F-150s made”?

Ford F-150 vs. GMC Sierra 1500

Here is a table comparing the F150 and Sierra 1500:

F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Here is a table comparing the F150 and Silverado 1500:

Ford F-150 vs. Toyota Tundra

Here is a table comparing the F150 and Toyota’s Tundra:

Ford F-150 vs. Nissan Titan

Here is a table comparing the F150 and Nissan’s Titan:

How Reliable is a Ford F-150?

Ford F-150s are some of the most reliable trucks on the planet. For instance, J.D Power rates the F-150 an impressive 4.5 out of 5 for its 2020 reliability rating.

The organization also ranked the F-150 at the top of its 2020 Vehicle Dependability Study, making it the most dependable full-sized truck on the market.

Meanwhile, RepairPal scores the F-150 a 3.5/5, ranking it 7th out of 17 trucks which isn’t that bad for a truck its size.

Check some really interesting statistics for the Ford F-150 here.

The 2020 Consumer Reports reliability rating scores the F-150 an above-average 57 points, placing it behind competitors such as:

• Dodge Ram 1500
• Toyota Tundra
• Nissan Titan

Some of the biggest issues with the thirteenth generation of the F-150 are the new aluminum body parts which boost fuel efficiency because of their lightweight but may lower cosmetic longevity due to their susceptibility to corrosion.

That said, the F-150 is still one of the most reliable trucks that can carry cargo, and your kids, and also deliver decent off-roading adventures. It offers an impressive lineup of engines and provides an exceptionally quiet and comfortable driving experience.

Plus, the operating and maintenance costs are pocket-friendly, although the vehicle is one of the most expensive in its class.

The Best and Worst Years for Ford F-150

First, make sure you get the best overview of each engine before choosing a model. We have a full overview of all Ford F-150 engines here.

The 2012 model year takes home the unwanted award of the worst iteration of the popular F-150 truck.

Extensive problems dogged this model year, and it attracted hundreds of negative reviews on sites like carcomplaints.com and official transportation agencies.

Owners started experiencing multiple issues with the vehicle as early as 50,000 miles.

Unfortunately, most had to correct the problems out of pocket since a lot of them occurred outside of the warranty period.

Owners of the 2012 Ford F-150 reported several engine-related problems including misfiring, loss of power while driving, ticking noise in the engine, and several others. Many people also experienced brake problems.

Some drivers of the 2012 Ford F-150 complained of the Advancetrac warning light coming up frequently. They also reported intermittent brake failures, which required replacing the braking system’s vacuum pump at low mileage.

According to the NHTSA there have been 1587 complaints about power loss issues.

Users experienced window issues and transmission problems among others. For a single model year, it seems the 2012 F-150 was cursed to cause misery for many of its unlucky buyers.

The 2014 model year of the F-150 is probably the best if you are looking to buy a pre-owned version of the truck. It features best-in-class performance metrics, and impressive safety records, and comes with a dizzying amount of technological features.

The 2014 Ford F-150 delivers all the performance and comfort of the latest model years for a fraction of the price.

It is free of many problems that dented earlier models’ reliability and is not too old to have racked up the miles. If you are looking for the sweet spot when shopping for a used F-150, the 2014 model year is arguably your best bet.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Ford F-150 has a very long production history, so it is not surprising the truck has over 140 recalls.

Some model years like 1997, 2001, and 2000 model years have the most recalls, although most of them are probably off the road now.

Below is a list of the recall numbers of the model years:

Ford F-150 Model Year List

Ford’s F-Series is in its 14th generation, with the F-150 in its ninth iteration. The truck has been in production since 1975, making it one of the longest-serving full-sized trucks.

Below we outline the production years with their generations:

• 1975 – 1979 (First Generation)
• 1980 – 1986 (Second Generation)
• 1987 – 1991 (Third Generation)
• 1992 – 1996 (Fifth Generation)
• 1997 – 2003 (Sixth Generation)
• 2004 – 2008 (Seventh Generation)
• 2009 – 2014 (Eighth Generation)
• 2015 – present (Ninth Generation)

Are Ford F-150s Expensive to Maintain?

The F-150 is cheap to maintain. According to RepairPal, it costs around $788 to maintain an F-150 truck per year, which is lower than the yearly average of $936 for the class.

Your expenses will depend on location, service provider, model year, driving habits, and manufacturing defects.

You can even lower maintenance and repair expenses if you DIY most of the tasks and only take the more serious procedures to the shop.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Brake pads on F-150s are rated to last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles but have been known to deliver up to 70,000 miles.

The longevity of your brakes depends on the terrain, driving habits, maintenance culture, the age of the vehicle, and model year, among others.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

It depends on the brand fitted to the truck from the factory, but stock F-150 tires wear rapidly.

That said, you can get up to 20,000 miles on your stock F-150 tires, especially if you rotate them at every oil change.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

Except if you end up with a problematic model year, Ford F-150 transmissions can last around 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

However, your driving and maintenance habits will ultimately determine the longevity of your truck’s tranny.

Excessively aggressive driving can cook the transmission oil and cause life-shortening wear.

Skipping periodic maintenance will also make this important component die prematurely.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Information from Ford shows that spark plugs on an F-150 can last 100,000 miles before they require replacement.

However, trucks that are used as a workhorse or experience a lot of idling may need fresh spark plugs as early as 60,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

According to finder.com, it costs an average of $157 per month or $1,884 a year to insure the Ford F-150.

This figure is about $500 above the national average of $1,318 for full-sized trucks. However, your actual insurance expenses depend on several factors, including driving records, location, and vehicle trim among others.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Ford F-150

Here are tips to help your F-150 truck age gracefully:

Sources

VehicleHistory: How long do Ford F150 engines last?

RepairPal: Ford F-150 Reliability Rating

Ford Class Action Says Trucks Experience Premature Corrosion

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