MODEL
Ford F-150
NHTSA safety across every Ford F-150 model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Ford F-150 we cover (2019 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2020 at 78 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 72. 103 recalls have been issued across those years.
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 Ford F-150, covering model years 2019 through 2025, puts together a genuinely strong safety profile by the numbers MotorCaliber tracks. At its peak, the 2022 model year earns a 96 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index, landing in the Exceptional band - one of the higher marks we see across any vehicle segment. Crash-test performance backs that up: the best-year results show a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side crash disciplines, with a solid 4 out of 5 in rollover protection, a result that reflects the inherent physics of a tall, heavy truck body. Rollover resistance is a real consideration in this class, and shoppers should weigh that 4-star rating honestly. On the recall side, the picture is remarkably clean: zero recalls across the entire 2019 to 2025 span we cover, which is notable for a vehicle built in such high volumes. Owner complaints tell a more cautious story. Across covered years, NHTSA has logged 3,037 total complaints, including 82 crash allegations, 20 fire allegations, and 67 injury allegations. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but the raw volume warrants attention given the F-150's massive sales numbers. Bottom line: the F-150 earns its strong safety reputation on crash-test metrics, and the zero-recall record is a genuine positive. The complaint volume deserves continued monitoring.
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.
- The 2022 F-150 achieves a 96 out of 100 NHTSA Safety Index in the Exceptional band, making it one of the stronger-performing years in the 2019 to 2025 range we cover.
- Frontal and side crash-test results reach 5 out of 5 stars in the best test year, but the rollover rating holds at 4 out of 5 stars - a common ceiling for tall full-size trucks that shoppers should factor in, especially if highway driving is frequent.
- Zero recalls are recorded across the entire 2019 to 2025 model-year span covered here, an unusually clean recall record for a high-volume vehicle produced at this scale.
- Owner complaints total 3,037 across covered years, including 82 crash allegations, 20 fire allegations, and 67 injury allegations - all unverified by NHTSA - but the volume is worth tracking on the agency's complaint database before purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Ford F-150 with 28 recalls.