The Ford F-150 is the most popular pickup truck in the market, but that doesn’t absolve it from having some issues. Some of the most common Ford F-150 problems could put the reliability of this truck into question. Let’s dig in and see what issues this Ford truck has and whether or not it’s a truck you should drive.

RepairPal gives us the most common Ford F-150 problems and how many owners have reported each issue. For the top three problems, hundreds of real owners reported experiencing them. These top three problems are:

Of these three issues, the third one seems to be the most serious. If spark plugs are being ejected out of the cylinder head, it could lead to more costly repairs than a lack of heat in the cabin.

When the heat stops working in the Ford F-150 it’s typically caused by a few possible factors. These factors include air door actuators failing, low coolant level, thermostat failing, and the coolant might not flow properly through the heater core.

If you bring your Ford truck to a repair shop to check this issue, the average diagnostic cost is $88-$111. Repair costs could be higher if the problem is more serious than low coolant levels.

One of the most common Ford F-150 problems is a rough idle which can be caused by the EGR Sensor sticking. This symptom is caused by the EGR valve remaining slightly open. The valve and sensor must be replaced to correct this problem which typically costs $199-$228.

Ford F-150 models with a V8 engine are known to eject the spark plugs. This isn’t as dramatic as it sounds, but it’s a pretty serious problem. Typically, a tapping or knocking noise can be heard from the engine and the F-150 engine will begin to misfire at all speeds. The Check Engine light also illuminates.

This problem occurs because the threads on the cylinder head are too short or soft. Pressure from the combustion inside the chamber overwhelms the threads and destroys them.

Typically, the cylinder head needs replacing, when this most common Ford F-150 problem appears. In some models, an updated spark plug design can fix the issue. This repair typically costs $241-$284.

In addition to listing the various problems reported, RepairPal offers a reliability rating for every vehicle. The Ford F-150 receives a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 from RepairPal. This rating puts the F-150 in seventh of 17 full-size trucks.

RepairPals reliability ratings are based on a combination of three factors. These factors are the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance, the frequency of unscheduled repairs, and the severity of those repairs. The Ford F-150 achieves at or better than the market average for full-size trucks in all three metrics.

The 2009 version was the top-rated model for Ford F-150 reliability. Many enthusiasts rate this model year as the best F-Series truck ever. This is the model year to choose if you’re looking for a used Ford F-150 truck.

The F-150 has been the top-selling full-size truck for more than 40 years. This gives us several model years to choose from for reliability and quality. Aside from the 2009 model, the top-rated F-150 model years for reliability are 2014, 1994, 2015, 1998, 2019, 2012, 2003, 2001, and 1999.

Most Ford full-size trucks should last around 200,000 miles. Some will make it much farther than that. Proper care and maintenance could mean the F-150 you drive should last an average of 17 years. This figure is based on most owners driving an average of 12,000 miles per year.

The 2023 Ford F-150 is the top-rated pickup truck in the full-size truck class by US News & World Report. It’s no accident the F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America for over 40 years. Ford offers widespread appeal and several upscale, luxurious trims. If you can overlook the most common Ford F-150 problems, you’ll find a truck that can easily provide excellent driving for the next two decades.

Next, check out six reasons you’ll want to drive the latest Ford F-150, or learn more about the 2023 Ford F-150 in the video below:

Does the 2023 Ford F-150 Actually Offer Many Changes to This Top-Selling Pickup Truck?