Best and worst Ford F-250 years — which to avoid

The F-250 is one of America’s greatest full-size pickups you can buy on the used car market, but having some model years affected by reported issues doesn’t help with your decision. This heavy-duty truck had a fair share of negative feedback on specific model years, so buying one requires you to skip through those and find a reliable model.

While that shouldn’t be too hard thanks to great overall ratings, our team will make the task even easier. We’ve compared the best years to buy and worst Ford F-250 years to avoid to make your choice simpler as we went through the official NTHSA records and details on common F-250 recalls to pave the road for a carefree driving experience behind the F-250 wheel, so let’s check out the results together.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Ford F-250 years

While making this guide, our team of automotive specialists went deep into the available reports on the F-250’s reliability through the records of the US driving safety organizations. By that, we primarily mean the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the IIHS.

There, we found details on common complaints and reliability lacks that certain F-250 years have shown, so we had our starting point. We just needed something to compare with, so we started digging through the Edmunds, KBB, and other driver reports to see if those aligned with what we found on trusted organizations.

Finally, we wanted to see what current and former F-250 owners think through their experiences stated on Ford forums, so here’s what we found out:

Most common Ford F-250 problems

The Ford F-250 is undoubtedly an iconic part of the Ford heavy-duty lineup. Yet it has some common problems for most of its badly rated years, and these are mostly concerning the engine.

Due to users’ complaints and reports, several qualities make these Ford F-250 years stand out in a negative light. Some reasons common in these years that top the list are;

1. Engine troubles

Many F-250 owners have complained about an engine knocking noise; this issue has primarily been reported on 2016 vehicles, however, it has also been recorded on more current models.

A tiny stutter in the engine, as if it weren’t getting enough fuel, has been noted by owners. Others have reported it feels like the engine is falling apart. Eventually, it all comes down to different symptoms of rod knock, which is a serious issue that could lead to a complete engine rebuild.

Coolant leaking from the radiator of the F-250 is one of the most frequently reported issues. Models from as recently as 2018 and as far back as 2003 have both been subject to reports of this. Many owners have observed a radiator leak that has caused a puddle on their driveway.

2. Suspension and steering issues

Suspension issues can make it difficult for her driver to control the car which is very risky. It can also involve expensive repairs, which may not be durable as long as the suspension is prone to wear and tear. The suspension issue was very glaring in the 2006 and 2011 models.

Also, drivers of Ford F-250 trucks may experience wobbling while steering and locking up of the steering wheel, among other problems. These control problems are related to the already discussed suspension problems. The infamous “death wobble” was one of the most commonly reported issues along with shaking of the wheel which often led to drivers losing control at highway speeds.

3. Broken drive shaft 

A drive shaft is a long, rod-like component that runs the length of your car and transfers torque from the engine to the wheels.

Ford F-250s from 2017 to 2022 frequently experienced drive shaft fractures. This happened as a result of heat and noise insulators beneath the body that may come loose and come into contact with the aluminum driveshaft, cracking it.

Worst Ford F-250 years to avoid

Arguably, the Ford F-250 is one of the most reliable pickup trucks you can buy, but only if you choose your model year wisely. So, if you are still wondering what are the worst F-250 years, here’s a list of the model years to avoid:

• 1999
• 2000
• 2006
• 2008
• 2011
• 2012
• 2017
• 2018

Of course, we’ll also explain why you are best off if you avoid those models and go for one of the best-rated F-250 models instead.

First-generation F-250 (1999, 2000, and 2006 model years)

The major problem with the 1999 and 2000 F-250 is the spark plugs which tend to vibrate and blow out. When this happens, severe engine damage may occur. Also, since the plugs and cylinder heads were made of aluminum, they tend to erode and create failures. 

Other mechanical issues like fuel injector leakage, sieve-like head gasket leakage, and symptoms of bad spark plugs have been associated with the truck.

The 2006 model year is considered the worst, and car users are advised to avoid it at all costs. The oil cooler tends to clog from dirt and debris, which is its major setback. The clogged oil cooler will create a surge that leads to EGR failure; when the EGR fails, the coolant starts leaking, so the truck’s engine overheats and locks up. 

The 2006 F-250 also has the issue of a smoking tailpipe due to EGR failure, the EGR valve opening, which makes the engine perform poorly. Full injector failure was also associated with this year.

Second-generation Ford F-250 (2008 model year)

One major issue of the 2008 F-250 truck is the radiator. The radiator on the 6.4 diesel powerstroke is nothing to write home about because it can fail anytime. The inability of the vehicle to cool itself can lead to overheating and total breakdown. 

Apart from the radiator, it has other mechanical issues like transmission failure, fuel injector failure that sends metal shavings into the injector, exposed wiring on a high-pressure fuel pump, and sensor failure. 

Third-generation Ford F-250 (2011-2012 model years)

This generation has received many criticisms, but the most significant one centred on a front-end vibration that abruptly reduces the truck’s horsepower. The tremor was so common that car users named it the “death wobble.”

The High-Pressure Oil Pump’s malfunction constituted a different problem. The engine will stop abruptly and not restart if the oil pump malfunctions. The HPOP is responsible for lubricating the injectors; without it, the injectors would stop sprinkling fuel into the engine, which would explain the abrupt stop.

What are the best Ford F-250 years to buy?

Despite the setbacks that some model years had, other years did amazingly well. After going through so many troublesome years, you are probably left wondering – what are the best Ford F-250 years? The best Ford F-250 years are 2004, 2009, and 2013, but here’s a full list of model years that didn’t have any major issues:

• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2009
• 2010
• 2013
• 2014
• 2016
• 2020
• 2021

We’ll also discuss some of the best-rated model years in further detail to explain why these make a better option than others that we discussed before.

2004 Ford F-250

When it comes to strength and durability, the 2004 F-250 truck is excellent. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds, which is impressive for a truck that is 20 years old.

The 2004 F-250 was constructed to last, much like the 2002 F-250. If properly maintained, these trucks are said to be able to go over 300,000 miles, and although the 2004 model received some minor complaints, it’s still the best-rated 1st gen model. It only had around 300 complaints made to NHTSA, which is a good score for this generation, and it had the least engine complaints out of all the model years there.

2009 Ford F-250

The 2009 Ford F-250 was a match for the 2004 model, and it even got better and more reliable. Ford used a new advanced chassis that made it super rugged and dependable even for some off-road driving, and the towing capacity was also increased.

The ownership feedback was also excellent since there were just under 100 complaints made to driving safety organizations, and they mostly concerned minor exhaust and suspension issues that could easily be fixed.

2013 Ford F-250

Last but not least, we have to discuss the 2013 Ford F-250 since it’s a model with some of the best ratings overall, both in terms of reliability and low number of complaints. The 2013 model received a lot of positive driver reviews and a 5-star rating in terms of driving safety and reliability.

The only few issues of this model are body/paint issues and some minor engine cooling problems, often caused by radiator leaks that were easily fixed.

Is the Ford F-250 worth buying?

Anyone who is frequently on the road needs a dependable car. The Ford F-250 is a great place to start if you’re looking for a big pickup truck. There are some years of this vehicle, though, that you should be careful to avoid, while others you may pick with confidence.

Overall, if you’re looking for a workhorse for hauling and you’re on a budget, the Ford F-250 is a pretty good buy.

We’ve gone through reviews and common issues to tell you which ones are keepers and which to skip. If you wonder what are Ford F-150 years to avoid, Chevy Silverado years to avoid, and Ram 1500 years to avoid, our straightforward guides have you covered.