Ford F-150: The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling vehicle for decades, offering a wide range of engines, capable towing and an aluminum body. Decode a specific VIN below to confirm the exact year, trim and equipment, and to check for open safety recalls.
Research any Ford F-150 model year
Specs, engines, MPG and open safety recalls for each production year.
Each year page has that year's specific specs, EPA MPG, NHTSA crash-test ratings and every open recall campaign filed for that year and model.
Overview
| Make | Ford |
| Model | F-150 |
| Body Style | Full-Size Pickup |
| Production Years | 1975–present |
| Country of Origin | United States |
Available Engines
| Engine | 3.3L V6 |
| Engine | 2.7L EcoBoost V6 |
| Engine | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 |
| Engine | 5.0L V8 |
| Engine | 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid |
NHTSA Safety Ratings (2005 Ford F-150)
Official NHTSA crash-test star ratings (5 = best).
Source: NHTSA NCAP.
Maintenance schedule — F-150 (2021-2024 (14th gen))
Factory-recommended service intervals for the current generation (2.7L/3.5L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L V8 or 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid; 10-speed auto).
Service intervals — 2021-2024 (14th gen)
| Oil Change | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, typically ~7,500-10,000 mi; severe/towing sooner |
| Tire Rotation | Every ~7,500-10,000 mi (with oil service) |
| Brake Fluid | Inspect; replace ~every 3 yr typical |
| Engine Air Filter | ~30,000 mi |
| Cabin Air Filter | ~20,000-30,000 mi |
| Transmission Fluid | 10-speed: ~150,000 mi normal; severe/towing ~60,000 mi |
| Coolant | First ~100,000-105,000 mi then ~50,000 mi (long-life) |
| Spark Plugs | ~100,000 mi (EcoBoost owners often ~60k-80k under boost) |
| Timing Belt Or Chain | Timing CHAIN (all engines) — no scheduled replacement |
| Major Service Milestones | 30k air filter/inspection; 60k brakes/fluids; 100k plugs + coolant + trans (towing). |
Model-specific note: Towing/heavy hauling pushes you firmly onto the severe schedule — especially transmission fluid (drop to ~60k) and rear axle fluid. EcoBoost engines benefit from earlier plugs.
Source: Ford owner's manual / scheduled maintenance guide, compiled under CC BY 4.0. Intervals are for normal service; follow the severe-use schedule if most trips are short. Your owner's manual is authoritative for your VIN.
Ford F-150 generations
Model-line generations with their production years. Each generation hub lists every model year with its data.
Why Buyers Choose the Ford F-150
- Best-in-class towing options
- Aluminum body resists rust
- Huge configuration range
Common Problems to Check
Known issues reported for the Ford F-150. Always inspect the specific vehicle and decode its VIN for recall status.
- EcoBoost cam-phaser rattle
- 10-speed transmission harsh shifts
- Early-model turbo condensation
Reliability: A capable, widely supported truck; reliability varies by engine and model year.
Check engine light on your Ford F-150?
Every 1996-and-newer car uses the OBD-II standard. Enter any stored code, then P0300, P0420, or search our full database of over 2,000 codes, to see what it means and how serious it is.
OBD-II code lookup →
Recent Recalls (2024 Ford F-150)
A sample of NHTSA recalls for a recent model year. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. See all recalls →
STEERING:COLUMN
Campaign 24V329000 · 10/05/2024
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The steering column lower shaft may have been secured to the steering gear assembly with an incorrect fastener, which can result in the separation of steering components and cause a loss of steering control.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Campaign 24V486000 · 28/06/2024
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Campaign 24V851000 · 20/12/2024
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Campaign 24V852000 · 08/11/2024
Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Related Guides for Ford F-150 Owners & Buyers
Other Ford Models
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode a Ford F-150 VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN in the box above. VinSpecs returns the exact year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant for your Ford F-150, plus any open recalls, free.
Is the Ford F-150 reliable?
A capable, widely supported truck; reliability varies by engine and model year.
How do I check the Ford F-150 for recalls?
Use our free recall checker by year, make and model, or decode a specific VIN for its exact recall status.
What should I check before buying a used Ford F-150?
Run a VIN decode + recall check here, get a NMVTIS-backed title history report to catch salvage/flood brands, then have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle on a lift. Cross-reference the seller's mileage claim against the odometer history on record.
Where is the VIN located on a Ford F-150?
The 17-character VIN is stamped in several places: visible through the windshield on the driver's-side dashboard, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, and on the vehicle registration and insurance card. All should match, mismatched VINs are a fraud red flag.