Pickup trucks have been popular for a long time. Many people would love to have one, but trucks are usually not cheap. Going used can certainly help you find an affordable pickup, but even most pre-owned vehicles can cost quite a bit. The 2015 Ford F-150 just might be the one to make your pickup dreams come true. 

U.S. News recently released its list of vehicles you can get for under $20,000 in 2021. The 2015 Ford F-150 is on that list. But how much can you expect to pay for it, and is it reliable?

How was the 2015 Ford F-150 in its day?

The year 2015 saw a whole new redesign for the Ford F-150. It topped the U.S. News rankings for full-size pickups, and it was a finalist for that publication’s 2015 Best Full-Size Truck for the Money Award.  

This model offered four impressive engine choices. To begin with, the base Ford F-150 had a standard V6 motor producing 282 hp. Ford also offered two turbocharged engines. One of them was a 2.7-liter turbo six-cylinder, and the other was a 3.5-liter turbo V6. Last, some pickups had an available 385 hp V8. 

When it came to fuel economy, the Ford F-150 wasn’t all that bad in 2015. Of all the engine choices, the turbocharged V6 motor earned the best EPA ratings. It got 19 mpg on city roads and 26 mpg on the highway. That’s better than the base motor, which got only 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. 

The towing capacity was also pretty good. The Ford F-150, which sold quite a few in its day, can handle up to 12,200 pounds. Payload capacity is even more impressive with the ability to haul 3,300 pounds. That’s more than some competitors can manage. 

Is it possible to get a 2015 F-150 for under $20,000?

It’s hard to find used pickups at affordable prices these days. Usually, they’re in poor cosmetic shape, or they don’t run as well as you’d hoped. But the 2015 Ford F-150 is an exception. 

A used F-150 pickup can run you from $18,067 to $39,056, depending on its features and condition. Many models come with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with a massaging feature, and a heated steering wheel. 

To add to the value, some F-150 models come with the MyFord Touch infotainment system. It offers an eight-inch screen, HD Radio, and a 10-speaker Sony stereo. Others come with available advanced safety features, such as rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams.

How reliable is the 5-year-old F-150?

One of your biggest concerns regarding a 2015 model might be its reliability. Has the Ford F-150 held up well over five years, or do major problems plague it?

J.D. Power gave the 2015 F-150 an above-average rating of 3.5 out of 5 points. Though there haven’t been any major issues reported with the pickup, it has seen 12 recalls. Some have been easy fixes, while others have involved safety issues. 

According to U.S. News, If you buy an F-150 using Ford’s certified pre-owned program, it will come with the automaker’s one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty. The truck must be six years old or under and have less than 80,000 miles to qualify for the program. The pickup must also pass a strict inspection to gain certified pre-owned status. 

Overall, the 2015 Ford F-150 is a great pickup for the price. A model that costs less than $20,000 offers some of the best standard features available. Plus, you might get lucky with bonus features.