Ford F-150 Safety

The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling full-size pickup truck, not a sedan, and it targets a broad audience ranging from work-site professionals to family haulers and off-road enthusiasts. Built on a high-strength aluminum-alloy body over a steel frame, the F-150 competes at the heart of the full-size truck segment, where safety credentials carry real weight for buyers who depend on this vehicle daily.

The 2022 Ford F-150 achieved an Exceptional 96 out of 100 on the MotorCaliber NHTSA Safety Index, a performance that places it among the highest-scoring vehicles evaluated. This strong showing is supported by federal crash-test results, which awarded the F-150 a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in frontal and side impact categories. Its 4 out of 5 stars in rollover protection reflects the intrinsic challenges for vehicles of this type. Across the entire 2019 to 2025 model year range, the F-150 stands out with zero recalls issued by NHTSA. This absence of safety-related recalls is particularly noteworthy for a vehicle manufactured in such high volumes. However, owner complaints present a more nuanced picture. NHTSA records show 3,037 total complaints for these model years, including 82 allegations of crashes, 20 of fires, and 67 of injuries. While these are unverified allegations, their sheer volume indicates an area requiring ongoing scrutiny, even within the context of the F-150's considerable market presence. The F-150's crash-test metrics are robust, and its recall record is exemplary; the complaint volume remains a point of concern.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the F-150 as the benchmark of the full-size truck segment, praising its versatile powertrain lineup, refined interior quality relative to its working-truck roots, and broad capability across towing, hauling, and daily driving. Most consider it the default recommendation in its class, with criticism typically focused on a crowded and complex trim structure rather than any fundamental shortcoming.