Ford

F-150 (13th)

2015-2020 · Full-Size Truck ยท 7 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.9)
25,345 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
286 Fire Reports
698 Crash Reports
Includes data from: F-150 CREW CABF-150 REGULAR CABF-150 SUPER CREWF-150 SUPER CREW DIESELF-150 SUPERCABF-150 SUPERCAB DIESEL
View all 5 generations of the Ford F-150 → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

5.0L-4V

5.0L 8-cyl / 386 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.9)
1,376 complaints 229.3 per year Gasoline
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
578
engine
397
electrical
130
other
118
body
111

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (578 complaints)
Typical onset: 68,000โ€“105,155 mi Est. repair: $4,000โ€“$8,400 (35 reports)
Engine Issues (397 complaints)
Typical onset: 50,000โ€“85,451 mi Est. repair: $11,007โ€“$12,000 (13 reports)
Electrical System Issues (130 complaints)
Typical onset: 35,508โ€“62,902 mi

TIVCT

3.3L 6-cyl / 290 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.9)
297 complaints 71.0 per year Gasoline
5 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
77
body
59
safety systems
47
electrical
38
transmission
35

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (59 complaints)
Typical onset: 16,000โ€“65,000 mi
Safety Systems Issues (47 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (38 complaints)

Ford

4.6L 8-cyl / 292 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.4)
132 complaints 44.0 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
30
transmission
24
electrical
18
steering
15
brakes
15

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (24 complaints)
Est. repair: $1,800โ€“$3,000 (6 reports)
Electrical System Issues (18 complaints)
Steering Issues (15 complaints)

3.0L-4V

3.0L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.3)
193 complaints 64.3 per year Diesel
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
76
other
28
engine
22
body
22
fuel system
19

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (76 complaints)
Engine Issues (22 complaints)
Typical onset: 4,360โ€“84,500 mi
Body/Trim Issues (22 complaints)
Typical onset: 4,360โ€“64,000 mi

Same engine used in

GTDI

3.5L 6-cyl Turbo / 365 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
4,862 complaints 808.8 per year Gasoline
51 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1737
engine
1406
other
472
electrical
419
brakes
402

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1,737 complaints)
Typical onset: 45,500โ€“100,000 mi Est. repair: $4,000โ€“$8,000 (106 reports)
Engine Issues (1,406 complaints)
Typical onset: 53,000โ€“96,000 mi Est. repair: $4,000โ€“$4,873 (127 reports)
Electrical System Issues (419 complaints)
Typical onset: 40,000โ€“92,000 mi Est. repair: $100โ€“$1,600 (24 reports)

2.7L-4V

2.7L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
4,096 complaints 682.7 per year Gasoline
55 fire reports 6 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1215
engine
835
other
699
body
585
electrical
451

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1,215 complaints)
Typical onset: 47,242โ€“110,000 mi Est. repair: $1,850โ€“$7,000 (71 reports)
Engine Issues (835 complaints)
Typical onset: 58,000โ€“107,000 mi Est. repair: $1,344โ€“$5,000 (51 reports)
Body/Trim Issues (585 complaints)
Typical onset: 13,750โ€“80,000 mi Est. repair: $130โ€“$3,000 (9 reports)

5.0L 4V

5.0L 8-cyl / 395 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
2,595 complaints 865.0 per year Gasoline
32 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
1306
engine
760
other
282
electrical
221
safety systems
158

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (1,306 complaints)
Typical onset: 50,000โ€“111,000 mi Est. repair: $6,000โ€“$9,251 (74 reports)
Engine Issues (760 complaints)
Typical onset: 41,066โ€“95,000 mi Est. repair: $3,000โ€“$6,857 (28 reports)
Electrical System Issues (221 complaints)
Typical onset: 19,000โ€“84,019 mi Est. repair: $1,000โ€“$6,000 (13 reports)

Same engine used in

6 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Ford F-150 regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (4,971 complaints)
transmission critical
Engine Issues (3,469 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (1,280 complaints)
electrical critical
Body/Trim Issues (928 complaints)
body critical
Brakes Issues (694 complaints)
brakes critical

Alternatives in Full-Size Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2020 Ford F-150 problems?

The 2015-2020 Ford F-150 has accumulated 25,345 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Engine, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Ford F-150 engine is most reliable?

The 2015-2020 Ford F-150 was offered with 13 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 a good used car?

The 2015-2020 Ford F-150 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 25,345 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 have?

The 2015-2020 Ford F-150 has 25,345 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2015-2020 Ford F-150?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2015-2020 Ford F-150 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Ford F-150?

Before buying a used Ford F-150, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Engine, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the F-150 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2015-2020 Ford F-150. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 25,345 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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