Ford F-450 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 110 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Ford F-450 (2011–2020) that have at least 5 complaints. 2020 has the most, with 24. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (23 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All F-450 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24 | 87,000 | 1 | 7 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 20 | 26,000 | 4 | 7 | — | Stable |
| 2018 | 10 | 18,000 | 3 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 21 | 55,700 | 4 | 12 | — | Falling |
| 2015 | 6 | 34,814 | 2 | 10 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | 83,000 | 1 | 11 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 14 | 58,380 | 4 | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 9 | 78,336 | 2 | 7 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine23 18%
- Transmission and drivetrain18 14%
- Fuel system18 14%
- Steering17 14%
- Other or unknown14 11%
- Body and structure13 10%
- Electrical system12 9.6%
- Suspension10 8.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2019: “There is a noticeable and worsening wobbling/ shaking of the front end of my vehicle at 70-75 MPH while driving and the vehicle occasionally is very unsteady after hitting a pothole or other obstacle at speed. I have recently purchased new tires on the truck and had them re-balanced (at 26k miles), the dealer has replaced the front end steering stabilizer and the problem continues.”
NHTSA complaint #11323987, filed 2020-05, 26,000 miles2018: “The power tailgate opens randomly on its own. This has resulted in damage to my tailgate and the attached trailer. I have security video footage of it opening right before as I started to drive. Ford is refusing to repair it under warranty. The truck has 3800 miles on it and has not even had its first oil change. This could have caused a serious wreck if I had been on the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #11165240, filed 2019-01, 3,800 miles2017: “I have a 2017 Ford super duty f450 platinum. Multiple time the tailgate has dropped o its own while im driving the truck. Keys are resting in console not touching release button and drops on its own. Have checked and doubled checked closing firmly. Still opens intermittently. I have had multiple witnesses watch it happen. It has now happened when towing and destroyed the tailgate and could of caused and accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11194683, filed 2019-04, 30,000 milesOther Ford models
38,897 complaintsFord Explorer
34,624 complaintsFord Escape
27,530 complaintsFord Fusion
22,441 complaintsFord Focus
22,107 complaintsFord Taurus
18,162 complaintsFord Windstar
14,152 complaintsFord Edge
14,106 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology