Looking for the perfect Ford F-250? With countless model years, it’s tough to know which to choose. Don’t sweat it – I’ve done the legwork.
Using data from NHTSA, VehicleHistory, and Cars.com, plus expert insights, I’ll reveal the best and worst F-250 years.
We’ll cover everything from its generational evolution to the infamous “death wobble.” Whether you’re buying or just inquisitive, this guide’s got you covered.
Ready to uncover which F-250s are golden and which are duds?
Let’s dive in.
Table of ContentsShow
Ford F-250 Generations
The Ford F-250 isn’t just a truck; it’s a legacy. Part of the legendary F-Series lineup, this heavy-duty hauler has been flexing its muscles since the late ’90s. Each generation brought something new to the table, from beefed-up engines to tech upgrades that would make a spaceship jealous.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the F-250’s journey from 1999 to 2022:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st generation (PHN131) | 1999-2007 |
| 2nd generation (P356) | 2008-2010 |
| 3rd generation (P473) | 2011-2016 |
| 4th generation (P558) | 2017-2022 |
Knowing these generational shifts is like having a roadmap. It’ll help you navigate the used truck market like a pro, pinpointing which era might suit your needs best.
Ford F-250 Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
When it comes to picking the cream of the crop (or avoiding the lemons), we don’t just throw darts at a calendar. We dive deep, looking at:
- What owners are saying (because who knows a truck better than the person behind the wheel?)
- How much it’ll cost you to keep it running
- Safety ratings (because arriving in one piece matters)
- Reliability scores from the pros at Consumer Reports
- How happy owners are with their rides
- The number of times the government said, “Hey Ford, we need to talk” (recalls, investigations, and complaints)
- Ratings from Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB), VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
Next up, I’ve got a graph that’ll show you all these ratings in one eyeful. It’s like a report card for trucks:
Based on all this number-crunching, I’ve sorted each model year into three categories: the finest (the ones you want), the neutral (middle-of-the-road options), and the worst (the ones to skip).
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (PHN131) | 2002 2003 | 2005 2006 2007 | 1999 2000 2001 |
| 2nd generation (P356) | 2010 | N/A | 2008 2009 |
| 3rd generation (P473) | 2013 2014 2015 2016 | N/A | 2011 2012 |
| 4th generation (P558) | 2020 2021 2022 | N/A | 2017 2018 2019 |
“Neutral Years” are like that friend who’s neither the life of the party nor a total buzzkill. They’ve got their pros and cons, but overall, they’re a safe bet.
Remember, more recalls and grievances mean lower reliability in our book. It’s basic math: more problems equal less dependability.
Now, let’s break down the good, the bad, and the ugly for each F-250 generation.
Best & Worst Years for Ford F-250 1st Generation (1999-2007)
The 1999 Ford F-250 kicked off the first generation with a bang. Ford wasn’t just dipping its toes in the substantial market; it was diving in headlong.
In this generation, 2002 and 2003 shine like a freshly waxed hood, while 1999 and 2000 are about as welcome as a flat tire on a road trip.
The Best Years: 2002, 2003
If the first-gen F-250 was a movie, 2002 and 2003 would be the Academy Award winners. Why? Let’s break it down:
- The star of the show: the 7.3L Power Stroke V8 engine. This powerhouse was tougher than a two-dollar steak and just as legendary.
- Engine options galore: from the 4.2L Essex V6 to the 6.8L Triton V10, paired with transmissions that had more gears than a bicycle shop.
- Tech upgrades that made the truck smarter and safer, like improved infotainment and braking systems that could stop a runaway train.
The Neutral Years: 2005, 2006, 2007
These years are like a mixed bag of trail mix – some good bits, some not-so-good bits:
- The 6.0L Power Stroke V8 entered the scene, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
- Fancy new trims like the King Ranch edition brought luxury to the job site.
- Tech-wise, things got cooler with better infotainment and safety features like adaptive cruise control.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing:
- The 6.0L engine had more mood swings than a teenager.
- The dreaded “death wobble” made its debut, shaking trucks (and drivers) to the core.
- Ford’s fix? “Just lower your tire pressure.” Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
The Worst Years: 1999, 2000, 2001
These years are like that investigative phase we all go through – necessary, but best left in the past.
- The 5.4L Triton V8 was decent, but it had a nasty habit of spitting out spark plugs like a kid with vegetables.
- Fuel tank straps decided rusting was the new black, creating a potential fireball on wheels.
- Transmissions were as smooth as a gravel road, with stalling issues to boot.
2000 and 2001 didn’t learn much from their older sibling:
- They kept the party going with more of the same problems.
- Added a new trick: suspension issues that made every drive feel like a massage chair gone rogue.
Want the nitty-gritty?
Check out the NHTSA reports for 1999, 2000 and 2001 versions.
Best & Worst Years for Ford F-250 2nd Generation (2008-2010)
The 2008 F-250 rolled out with Ford promising to fix the first gen’s hiccups. Spoiler alert: it was a bit of a “hold my drink” moment.
This generation’s report card from owners? A paltry 4.2 out of 5 on Kelley Blue Book. Not exactly honor roll material. If you’re shopping this era, 2010 is your best bet, but honestly? I’d suggest looking elsewhere.
The Best Years: 2010
2010 is the valedictorian of a class that mostly skipped studying. Here’s why:
- Fewer complaints and recalls than its classmates.
- Engine options included the 5.4L Triton V8 and the beefier 6.8L Triton V10.
- The TorqShift 5-speed auto transmission was smoother than a buttered-up doorknob.
- Fuel economy was… present. 7 mpg city/16 mpg highway isn’t winning any green awards.
- The Harley Davidson edition joined the lineup for those who wanted their truck with a side of motorcycle attitude.
- Tech upgrades like Ford Sync made connecting your phone easier than finding a gas station.
- New features like Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist made towing less of a white-knuckle experience.
But, like that one kid who’s proficient at everything except social skills, the 2010 F-250 still suffered from the “death wobble.”
The Worst Years: 2008, 2009
If trucks could go to detention, the 2008 and 2009 F-250s would be permanent residents:
- 2008 was like a greatest hits album of problems:
- Power steering decided to take random vacations.
- The “death wobble” came back for an encore.
- Coolant leaks were more common than coffee spills.
- 2009 kept the “death wobble” party going strong.
- Both years guzzled gas like it was going out of style: 7 mpg city/16 mpg highway.
- Owner satisfaction was lower than a limbo champion, especially on Cars.com.
Want to see the criminal record?
Check out the NHTSA complaints for 2008 and 2009 models.
Best & Worst Years for Ford F-250 3rd Generation (2011-2016)
The 3rd gen F-250 strutted onto the scene in 2011, promising to be the truck equivalent of a Swiss Army knife – rugged, versatile, and loaded with gadgets.
This generation’s report card shows a clear divide: 2013-2016 are the honor roll pupils, while 2011-2012 are the ones who missed a few too many lessons.
The Best Years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
These years are like the model pupils of the F-250 world. Here’s why they’re at the top of the class:
- Engine options that could pull a house: 6.2L Boss SOHC V8 gas guzzler or the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel muscle machine.
- Trim levels for days, including the fancy-pants Platinum edition. King Ranch and Lariat trims got makeovers too.
- Tech that would make a smartphone jealous: MyFord Touch infotainment system for all your connectivity needs.
- Safety features galore: AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and SOS Post Crash Alert System. It’s like having a guardian angel riding shotgun.
- Fuel efficiency that won’t make you cry at the pump: 11 mpg city/23 mpg highway. Not Tesla territory, but hey, it’s a heavy-duty truck, not a Prius.
The Worst Years: 2011, 2012
The early birds of this generation caught more worms than they bargained for:
- 2011 was like a problem child:
- Engine stalling issues, especially in the diesel variants. Nothing says fun like a 7,000-pound paperweight.
- Exhaust manifold bolts playing hide and seek, particularly in the 6.7L Power Stroke engines.
- The “death wobble” made a comeback tour. Apparently, some traditions are hard to break.
- 2012 kept the “death wobble” party going. It’s like they forgot to send out the “stop shaking” memo.
- Fuel efficiency was better than before, but still not winning any green awards.
Inquisitive about the nitty-gritty?
The NHTSA has all the juicy details for 2011 and 2012 models.
Best & Worst Years for Ford F-250 4th Generation (2017-2022)
The 4th gen F-250 rolled out in 2017, aiming to be the superhero of heavy-duty trucks. But like any good comic book series, it had its villains too.
In this generation’s story, 2017 is the nefarious supervillain you want to avoid, while 2020-2022 are the caped crusaders here to save the day.
The Best Years: 2020, 2021, 2022
These years are like the Avengers of the truck world – powerful, smart, and ready to take on any challenge:
- Engines that could probably tow the moon: 7.3L V8 gas engine or the beefed-up 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel.
- Trim levels for every taste: Lariat Sport Package for the cool kids, XLT Black Appearance Package for the ninja truckers.
- Tech that’s smarter than some humans: SYNC 4 infotainment system with a screen bigger than some TVs and wireless everything.
- Safety features that make bubble wrap jealous: Ford Co-Pilot360 with Blind Spot Information System, Pre-Collision Assist, and more.
The Worst Years: 2017, 2018, 2019
These years are like the origin story where our hero faces their biggest challenges:
- 2017 was the problem child:
- The “death wobble” wasn’t just back; it was throwing a full-on party.
- Recalls for days: cloudy camera lenses (because who needs to see?), corroding heater cables, doors that wouldn’t lock (perfect for testing your trust issues).
- 2018 and 2019 kept the “death wobble” tradition alive. At this point, it was less of a bug and more of a feature.
- 2019 added some spice with potential axle failures. Because why stop at shaking when you can add “not moving” to the mix?
- Fuel efficiency was better than a monster truck but worse than, well, most things on the road.
Want the full drama?
Check out the NHTSA’s tell-all reports on 2017, 2018 and 2019 models.
Ford F-250 Average Resale Values
Curious about how much these beasts are worth on the used market? Check out this graph showing the average resale values for each model year:
Conclusion
After this deep dive into F-250 history, it’s clear that the 2013-2016 and 2020-2021 models are the cream of the crop. These years offer the best blend of reliability, power, and modern features without the headaches of earlier models.
But hey, every truck has its own tale. Maybe you’ve had a different experience? I’d love to hear about it. Which F-250 year has been your ride or die, and why?
Drop your truck tales in the comments below!
Remember, choosing a truck is like picking a dance partner – you want one that moves with you, not against you. Happy trucking!
