Best Used Ford F-150 Pickup Truck: Models to Hunt for and 1 to Avoid
The world of pickup trucks is pretty saturated these days, but one model stands out among the rest. The Ford F-150 is one of America’s favorite vehicles, truck or not. What are the best used Ford F-150 pickup truck years to hunt for?
2020 is one of the best used Ford F-150 pickup truck years
Looking at the Ford F-150 history from Consumer Reports gives a good indication of how reliable this truck might be. 2020 happens to be one of the best used Ford F-150 pickup truck years. Both the reliability and owner satisfaction scores were above average for this year. Some of the typical reliability trouble spots like the engine, cooling, and drive system received high scores.
The 2020 Ford F-150 had an aluminum body for 2020, which helped with fuel economy and performance. The jury is still out on the long-term ownership of an aluminum truck, though. It also came with a quiet cabin and many handy features. Forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) came standard.
2016 was another best used Ford F-150 pickup truck years
The reliability and owner satisfaction scores fell a bit for 2016, leaving both just average. Fortunately, the 2016 F-150 still had a lot of good to write about. The transmission was strong and gave owners fewer issues. The seats were comfortable and the styling of the truck was a strong point. The base 2.7L engine still performed well.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2016 F-150 pickup truck the Top Safety Pick award. In various crashworthiness tests, the F-150 received top scores. The front moderate overlap, passenger, side, rear, and roof crash tests all received “good” scores.
Avoid the 2017 and 2018 years if at all possible
The 2017 and 2018 Ford F-150 trucks are not some of the best years. Both the reliability and owner satisfaction were below average for these years. In fact, the reliability score was unusually bad. Both years have 15 recalls for a variety of issues such as brake issues, suspension problems, engine concerns, and more. The engine, transmission, and drive system were all cited as reliability issues. A rough ride was referenced by a few owners as well, in addition to the CR auto test center team.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did give both trucks five-star ratings for its crash tests. These tests include the overall crashworthiness test, frontal crash, side crash, and rear crash. While these used Ford trucks are safe, the reliability issues might make these years worth skipping.
The best used Ford F-150 pickup truck is going to be the one that has good safety ratings, all of the recalls addressed, and a solid history of maintenance. If you can find a high quality repair shop to get a pre-purchase inspection, that is always a good idea too.
