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Ford F-150 (3.5L EcoBoost)

15-20 · Ford F-150

80out of 100

The best-towing, best-payload, best-MPG full-size truck. The aluminum body makes minor collision repair expensive.

Score breakdown

70/ 100Reliability×2.566/ 100True Annual Cost×2.085/ 100Safety×1.595/ 100Practicality×3.080/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

The 13th gen F-150 introduced an aluminum-intensive body structure, reducing weight by 700 lbs vs the prior generation. The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 produces 375hp and 470 lb-ft, more than the 5.0L V8 in towing.

Why it's on this list

19 MPG combined best-in-class for a full-size. 470 lb-ft of torque available immediately. The EcoBoost 3.5L is proven at 200k+ miles. Best-in-class maximum towing at 13,200 lbs.

The honest trade-offs

Aluminum body requires specialty shops for collision repair. Even minor impacts are expensive. The high HLDI collision damage index reflects this. Power running boards fail chronically on upper trims.

What to buy and what to avoid

XLT or Lariat for the best value. Avoid Power Steps (running boards), a chronic failure point. The 2.7L EcoBoost is underrated and cheaper. The 3.5L is better for towing. 2017+ for native CarPlay.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$2,084 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$775 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$400 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$2,322 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,500 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$3,630 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,808 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
19[5]
MPG city / hwy
17 / 24[5]
Tank
26 gal[5]
Engine
EcoBoost 3.5L twin-turbo V6
Horsepower
365 hp
Torque
400 lb-ft
Seats
5
Tow capacity
13,000 lbs
Ground clearance
9.4"
Stock tires
275/65R18
Body
Truck
Rear seats
One-piece fold

Safety

NHTSA overall
4/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
24%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Low
Frame rust risk
Low

Known issues by mileage

N/A
Aluminum body collision repair — requires specialty shops. Minor impacts are very expensive.Major
N/A
EcoBoost intercooler condensation hesitation (cold weather, cosmetic)Minor
60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)
Power running boards failure ($600-1,500) on upper trimsModerate

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$788 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
3.5/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.6[1]
Severe issue probability
9%[1]
250k-mile survival
45%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Halogen
DIY replacement cost
$50 (USD)
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
8/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Ford F-150?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

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