Ford F-150 VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Ford F-150 VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 188 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1990–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix1FT2FT

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Ford F-150

About the Ford F-150

Ford has sold the F-150 in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been seven generations. The Gen 8 came first (1990–1991); Gen 9 (1992–1996), Gen 10 (1997–2004), Gen 11 (2004–2008), Gen 12 (2009–2014), Gen 13 (2015–2020) followed, and the Gen 14 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 188 vehicle recall campaigns and 39,022 owner complaints. The 2013 has the most complaints of any model year (2,983). EPA rates the Gen 8 at 12–16 mpg combined, while the Gen 14, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 12–25 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026

GenerationsGen 8 · Gen 9 · Gen 10 · Gen 11 · Gen 12 · Gen 13 · Gen 14

NHTSA recall campaigns188

Owner complaints39,022 at NHTSA

Ford F-150 photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Ford F-150 generations

Seven generations since the 1990 model year. The Gen 12 (2009–2014) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 14 (2021–2026) the most recall campaigns (76).

7 / 7

2021–2026· Generation 7 of 7

Gen 14 · 14th generation

EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks

EPA combined mpg12–25

NHTSA recalls76

Engines (EPA)

2.7 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2021
3.3 L 6-cyl · 2021–2023
3.5 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026
3.5 L 6-cyl (turbo, hybrid) · 2021–2026
5.0 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026
Electric · 2022–2025
5.2 L 8-cyl (supercharged) · 2023–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (1,002)Electrical system (698)Exterior lighting (336)10 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 3,192 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 141FTFW1ED?MF······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Ford F-150, built in Dearborn, Michigan

Check an F-150 VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which F-150 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 188 campaigns on file for F-150 model years 1990–2026, and the 2022 shows up in more of them than any other year (32), ahead of the 2021 (29). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Ford F-150 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2013 (2,983 of 39,022). Tap any bar or generation.

39,022NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026

1,664mention a crash

1,943mention a fire

1,478injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 14: 3,192 complaints · most for the 2021 (1,277)

Top complaint areas · Gen 14

Mentions in 3,192 complaints, 2021–2026.

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)1,002

Electrical system698

Exterior lighting336

Engine and cooling236

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)233

Forward collision avoidance233

Crashes 109Fires 32Injuries 86

2021–2026 (Gen 14)

NHTSA data summary

The 2021 stands out. On its own it has 1,277 of the ’s 3,192 complaints (40%), and owners across the generation name powertrain most often (1,002 mentions), then electrical system (698).

What F-150 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (14th generation)

The 2021, first year of this generation, collected a long list of recalls, among them failing windshield wiper motors and arms, loose underbody insulators that could damage the aluminum driveshaft, a false low fluid pressure code that could shift the transmission into neutral, and intake valves that could break on some 2.7-liter EcoBoost engines. NHTSA complaints still center on the 10-speed automatic, with hard downshifts and unexpected neutral events, and CarComplaints lists 10-speed issues first for 2021, ahead of rodent-damaged wiring and oil consumption. Rear axle hub bolts on trucks with the heavy-duty tow package were also recalled. [1] [2]

2015–2020 (13th generation)

Owners of 2018–2020 trucks with the 10-speed automatic (10R80) file many NHTSA complaints about harsh or delayed shifts, clunky downshifts and, in some reports, unexpected shifts into neutral. On F150Forum, 2018 owners describe hard shifts into second, and some say resetting the adaptive learning helped. CarComplaints lists hard shifting as the top 2018 problem, followed by oil consumption and engine rattle. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost adds cam phaser complaints, with rattling or rough running on cold starts. A small 2017–2018 recall covered a few 10-speeds that could lose Park because of a missing roll pin. [3] [4] [5] [6]

2009–2014 (12th generation)

Transmission and steering complaints stand out on this generation. Recall 19V075 covers 2011–2013 trucks with the 6-speed automatic that could unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of speed, and NHTSA complaints for the 2013 are full of those sudden downshifts. CarComplaints ranks failed power steering first for 2013, followed by erratic shifting and brake failure, and 2012 owners describe a Service Power Steering Now message with a stiff wheel. A recall for 2013–2014 trucks with the 3.5-liter engine addressed a brake master cylinder seal that could leak and cause a loss of front braking. [7] [8] [9]

What to check before buying

Check the VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup, since all three generations have transmission-related campaigns.
Ask for records of transmission software updates, adaptive relearns or repairs on 10-speed trucks, cam phaser work on EcoBoost engines, and power steering repairs on 2011–2014 trucks.
Start the engine cold and listen for a rattle, then on the drive feel for harsh downshifts, sudden drops into a low gear or a stiff steering wheel, and test the wipers.

Sources (9) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

F-150 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid, electric and diesel F-150 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

39,022complaints, 1990–2026

1,664mention a crash

1,943mention a fire

1,478injuries reported

45complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2013 (2,983), 1997 (2,758), 2018 (2,312)

2013 · 2,983 complaints

Crashes 77 · fires 35 · injuries 64 · complaints reporting a death 2

Power train1,338

Engine547

Service brakes362

Electrical system323

Vehicle speed control302

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

F-150 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 559 F-150 versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas, diesel, hybrid, electric and natural gas). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 349 g/mi, for the 2021 hybrid. Electric versions have none at the tailpipe. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 81990–1991

12–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–741 g/mi

Gen 91992–1996

12–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–741 g/mi

Gen 101997–2003

11–17 mpg · 12–13 MPGe natural gas · CO₂ 523–808 g/mi

Gen 112004–2008

12–16 mpg · 13 MPGe natural gas · CO₂ 541–741 g/mi

Gen 122009–2014

12–19 mpg · CO₂ 464–741 g/mi

Gen 132015–2020

16–25 mpg · CO₂ 401–558 g/mi

Gen 142021–2026

12–25 mpg · 66–72 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0–741 g/mi

Model year2025

21combined MPG

425CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,200EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

4/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: F150 Pickup 2WD · Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo — 21 MPG · 425 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselHybridElectricNatural gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

F-150 vs Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram 1500

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 76 recall campaigns for the F-150, against 25 for the Chevrolet Silverado and 38 for the Ram 1500. Pick a range to compare.

Ford F-150Gen 14

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 76
NHTSA owner complaints: 3,192
EPA combined mpg: 12–25
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 2.7–3.5 L · 8-cyl 5.0, 5.2 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo, diesel, hybrid, supercharged
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1,002
Electrical system 698
Exterior lighting 336

Chevrolet Silverado

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 25
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,926
EPA combined mpg: 14–27
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.7 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 4.3 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 1,232
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 818
Electrical system 568

Ram 1500

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 38
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,025
EPA combined mpg: 12–26
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0, 3.6 L · 8-cyl 5.7, 6.2 L
Also listed: supercharged, turbo, diesel, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 719
Engine and cooling 672
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 299

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Ford F-150 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an F-150

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Ford F-150 (14th generation) SuperCrew pickup, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: HJUdall, CC0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The primary VIN is on a plate riveted to the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield. The frame rail near the front axle carries a stamped number; check that the door jamb sticker matches the frame stamp. The Gen 14 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 2024 Ford F-150 Owner's Manual: Locating the Vehicle Identification Number (p. 614)
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: Ford Support: Door Jamb Safety Compliance Certification Label

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Ford F-150 VIN questions

Which Ford F-150 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2013 leads with 2,983, ahead of the 1997 (2,758) and 2018 (2,312). Those first two alone make up 15% of the 39,022 F-150 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Ford F-150 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 188 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 14 leads with 76. Then come the Gen 13 (45), Gen 10 (33), Gen 12 (18), Gen 9 (13), Gen 11 (10) and Gen 8 (5), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Ford F-150 recalls are high risk?

17V-529 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 11V-107 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 89V-141, 93V-125, 96V-071, 00V-424, 07V-336, 05V-388, 00V-231, 11V-385 and 25 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 14V-316 and 21V-407. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which F-150 generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 8 is 1990–1991 and the Gen 9 1992–1996. Gen 10 spans 1997–2004, Gen 11 2004–2008, Gen 12 2009–2014, Gen 13 2015–2020 and Gen 14 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Ford F-150 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Gen 14 at 12–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–16 mpg for the 1990–1991 Gen 8 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Ford F-150 compare with the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the F-150 has 76 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Chevrolet Silverado has 25, the Ram 1500 38. Complaints run 3,192, 2,926 and 2,025 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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Ford F-150 VIN Number Check

About the Ford F-150

Ford F-150 generations