Reliability & cost of ownership
Ford F-450 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Ford F-450? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Ford F-450 problems by model year
29 recall entries across 16 model years and 118 owner complaints across 18 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 F-450 | 1 | 25 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2019 F-450 | 4 | 20 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2018 F-450 | 3 | 10 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2017 F-450 | 4 | 21 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 F-450 | Not confirmed | 4 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2015 F-450 | 2 | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2014 F-450 | Not confirmed | 3 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2013 F-450 | 1 | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2012 F-450 | 4 | 14 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2011 F-450 | 2 | 9 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2010 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2009 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2008 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2007 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2006 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2005 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2004 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2003 F-450 | 1 | None on file at try.vin | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Ford F-450, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine24 complaints
- power train19 complaints
- steering17 complaints
- unknown or other14 complaints
- structure13 complaints
- electrical system12 complaints
- suspension11 complaints
- fuel system, diesel9 complaints