What ownership is like, what breaks at what mileage, what the repairs cost, and what to check before you buy one.
NHTSA complaints per catalog listing are 1.62 for 2021 (1,040 complaints across 643 listings) and 1.09 for 2022 (603 across 553), against a generation median of 1.35. We have no complaint rate for 2023 through 2026 because our NHTSA complaint data has no count for those years, so we cannot test those years against our rule. Ad mentions: 2021 stands out at 97 of 506 enriched ads (19.2%); 2022-2023 are near zero (3 of 458 and 5 of 454). Ad mentions are not failures, and 2021 does not meet the complaint-rate half of our rule (1.62 against 2.7, twice the median).
| Miles | Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| any | 2.7L and 3.0L Nano EcoBoost: intake valves may break (24V635000, 2021-2022) | Free at a Ford dealer when the recall is open | Ford's recall says the engine intake valves may break while driving, which can cause engine failure and loss of drive power. It covers certain 2021-2022 F-150, Bronco, Edge, Explorer, Nautilus and Aviator vehicles with these engines. Check by VIN whether the truck is on the list and whether the work was done. |
| Not verified | 10R80 10-speed automatic: shift software and parts (2017 and later, includes this generation) | Reflash 0.8-1.6 labor hours; remanufactured transmission $3,530-$5,158 before labor (ShopEarl); TSB 25-2126 (March 2025) clutch cylinder (Rohnert Park Transmission). A solenoid pack and a class action are mentioned by Transmission Repair Cost. | Recall 22V188000 (2021 trucks) covers a false low transmission fluid pressure code that could cause an unexpected shift into neutral. Ask whether bulletins and recalls were done. |
| any | Other recalls on 2021-2023 trucks | Free at a Ford dealer when open | 23V509000 (2021-2023 single-exhaust trucks: the rear axle housing can contact the wiring harness and the electric parking brake can activate), 23V896000 (2021-2023 Trailer Tow Max Duty: axle hub bolt can break), 26V578000 (2023-2027: the fuel tank may be improperly secured and leak or detach), 25V344000 (2025: connecting rod and bearing defects can cause engine failure). |
| any | 3.5L EcoBoost cup plugs in cylinder heads (25V198 / 24S70) | Free at a Ford dealer if your VIN is covered | The recall covers certain F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the 3.5L (CarTipsDaily). We did not verify the exact model years, so run the VIN. |
No year in this generation was flagged. A year is flagged by our rule only when all three hold: (1) its NHTSA complaints per catalog listing is at least 2.0x the median for its generation, (2) the share of ads that mention a problem is above the generation median, and (3) we track at least 30 listings for that year. The cutoff was fixed before we looked. Ad mentions are not failures, and a flag is a reason to inspect harder, not a verdict on any one car.
| Year | Complaints | Top components | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,040 | Power Train, Exterior Lighting, Visibility | |
| 2022 | 603 | Power Train, Unknown Or Other, Exterior Lighting |
source: NHTSA complaints database (api.nhtsa.gov). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed failures.
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We don't tell you to skip a year; we flag it by a fixed rule (see 'Years flagged' in each generation), and exactly one F-150 year trips it: 2004. That year has 7.57 NHTSA complaints per catalog listing (2,036 across 269 listings) against a Gen 11 median of 1.65, and ads mention a problem in 28 of 184 enriched ads (15.2%) against a 9.6% median, with the 'rust' flaw excluded from the count. Two more years come close on the first test and fail the second. 2005: 3.76 complaints per listing (2.3 times the Gen 11 median), but with rust excluded only 15 of 199 ads (7.5%) mention a problem against a 9.6% median. 2011: 4.92 complaints per listing against a Gen 12 median of 2.40 (2.05 times), but 15 of 317 ads (4.7%) against a 4.8% median. Ad mentions are not confirmed failures.
It depends on the engine and generation. Gen 10 (1997-2003): spark plugs that blow out of the two-valve V8's head. Gen 11 (2004-2008): spark plugs that break on removal in the 5.4L 3V, plus visibility complaints on 2004. Gen 12 (2009-2014): timing-chain stretch on 2011-2014 3.5L EcoBoost trucks. Gen 13 (2015-2020): cam phasers on the 3.5L and shift complaints on the 10-speed. Gen 14 (2021 on): recalls more than wear. Each is priced, with sources, in the generation sections.
On the 5.4L 3V (2004-2008 trucks), the two-piece plug can snap during removal. Dwells Automotive puts a trouble-free job at $300-$500, one or two broken plugs at $800-$1,000, and four or more at $1,200-$1,500+. Ford's interval is 100K miles, and the same source suggests pulling them near 80K. RepairPal's standard-job estimate is $299-$391; RepairPal members have filed 50 reports about plugs that are hard to remove.
For 2011-2014 trucks with a P0016 code, Go-Parts gives $2,000-$4,000+ for the chain job, and says wear often shows up between 70K and 100K miles. For 2017-2020 trucks with cold-start rattle, Autos of Chicago quotes phasers at $2,400-$2,750 at a specialist and $3,800-$4,500 at a dealer, with a full timing overhaul at $2,850-$3,200 and $4,600-$5,200+. Owner posts range from $4,310 (2024) to a $5,300 dealer quote (2023). These are shop and owner figures, not a quote for your truck.
Owners and shops report harsh shifts on 10R80 trucks (2017 and later). ShopEarl lists remanufactured units at $3,530-$5,158 before labor and a reflash at 0.8-1.6 labor hours; a March 2025 bulletin (TSB 25-2126) covers a clutch cylinder. We don't have a failure rate, only these reports, plus recalls 17V671000, 18V213000 and 22V188000 that cover linkage pins and a false pressure code. Ask for service records.
Our complaint-per-listing figures are measured against each generation's own median, so compare within a generation, not across. Within Gen 13, the range is 0.68 (2020) to 2.54 (2015); within Gen 14, 1.09 (2022) to 1.62 (2021), and our data has no complaint count for 2023 onward. No year in Gen 10, 12, 13 or 14 trips our rule.