The most-reported F-450 run is 1FT8W4DT8LE (2020 builds) with 7 complaints, 5× the typical run. Engine problems make up 21% of reports; 2020 is the worst model year at 2.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for F-450 model years 2003–2020.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford F-450 has 79 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 20% of every F-450 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FT8W4DT8LE•••••• | 2020 | 2 | — | |
| 1FT8W4DTXKE•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT2HE•••••• | 2017 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FT8W4DT3LE•••••• | 2020 | — | 1 | |
| 1FT8W4DT7KE•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT1HE•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT8KE•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT2LE•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DTXLE•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT9KE•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT3HE•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1FT8W4DT9JE•••••• | 2018 | — | — |
Each of the other 67 F-450 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 93 F-450 VINs so far, most often 2026, 2024, 2008 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford F-450 the gap between build years is 2.3×: a 2020 car draws 2.3 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 20 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 2017 | 21 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2015 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 2012 | 14 | 11 | — | |
| 2011 | 8 | 7 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2020 at 2.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Ford F-450 owners report: Engine, 24 of 114 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | — | 3 | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — | |
| Structure | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 2 | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Ford F-450; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2020. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V498000 | Equipment | 2009–2013 |
| 18V894000 | Engine | 2017–2019 |
| 08V344000 | Trailer Hitches | 2006–2008 |
| 06V075000 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2003–2005 |
| 19V633000 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 2019–2020 |
| 19V398000 | Equipment | 2018–2019 |
14V498000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2009: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The F-450 against its rivals
The F-450 draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the GMC Sierra 1.8 and the Tesla Cybertruck 8. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-450 | 114 | 79 | 5.3% | |
| GMC Sierra | 5,568 | 3,067 | 6.3% | |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 177 | 22 | 13% |
How serious were they
Of the 114 reports on the Ford F-450, 5.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford F-450 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 114 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 6 (5.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 8 (7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford F-450 share of that is 114 complaints over 79 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford F-450 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 114 NHTSA complaints from 79 F-450 runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which F-450 production run has the most complaints?
1FT8W4DT8LE, a 2020 build, with 7 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical F-450 run has 1.4.
Which F-450 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2020 is heaviest at 2.3 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 1.
Does the F-450 get more complaints than the GMC Sierra?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the F-450 against 1.8 for the GMC Sierra.
How many F-450 complaints involve a crash?
5.3% of 114 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.
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