Verdict
A
Full-size Pickup · USA · 1997-present
Ford F-150
Best-selling vehicle in America for 40+ years. Aluminum body since 2015.
Years
1997-present
Generations
3
Segment
Full-size Pickup
The F-150 has been America's best-selling vehicle since 1981 — every year, without exception. The 11th generation (1997) was the last 'old' F-150; the 12th (2009) added the EcoBoost twin-turbo V6; the 13th (2015) switched to an aluminum body for weight savings; the 14th (2021) added the all-electric Lightning. The Raptor sits above the standard truck as a Baja-style off-road specialist. Used F-150s are everywhere; high-mileage examples are often well-maintained because owners actually use them.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
12th Gen 2009-2014 → 13th Gen 2015-2020
BHP +85 bhp
Torque +122 Nm
0–60 mph −1.4 s
Top speed −5 mph
MPG +3 mpg
13th Gen 2015-2020 → 14th Gen 2021-present
BHP +270 bhp
Torque +177 Nm
0–60 mph −1.5 s
Top speed +11 mph
MPG −7 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the deep dive
2009-2014
12th Gen · P415
First EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 pickup. Original Raptor with 6.2 V8 is the cult one.
→
2015-2020
13th Gen · P552
Aluminum body — 700lb lighter. Raptor moved to twin-turbo V6 only.
→
2021-present
14th Gen · P702
Best-selling vehicle in America. Raptor R is the unhinged one with 720bhp.
→
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2009-2014 · 12th Gen · P415
- EcoBoost 3.5 cam phaser rattle (cold start)
- Cracked exhaust manifolds (5.0 / 6.2)
- Power steering hose leaks
- Spark plug seizure on 5.4 carryover
2015-2020 · 13th Gen · P552
- 10-speed transmission shudder / harsh shifts (TSB)
- EcoBoost cam phaser rattle (carryover)
- Body panel galvanic corrosion at steel-aluminum joints
- Touchscreen freezing
2021-present · 14th Gen · P702
- 10-speed transmission shudder / harsh shifts
- Cam phaser rattle on 3.5 EcoBoost (cold start)
- Sync 4 infotainment lockups
- PowerBoost hybrid water pump failures