MODEL
Ford F-450
NHTSA safety across every Ford F-450 model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Ford F-450 we cover (2019 to 2020), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 5 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Ford F-450 Super Duty is a heavy-duty work truck aimed squarely at commercial operators, contractors, and serious haulers who need maximum towing and payload capacity. Sitting at the top of Ford's F-Series lineup, this full-size pickup bridges the gap between a conventional truck and a medium-duty commercial vehicle. Its buyers prioritize capability above all, but safety data still deserves a hard look.
At MotorCaliber, we have to be straightforward with F-450 shoppers: NHTSA did not crash-test this truck for either the 2019 or 2020 model years, which means there are no star ratings or Safety Index scores to report. That is not unusual for a vehicle in this class, given its gross vehicle weight rating, but it does leave a gap in the safety picture that buyers should acknowledge. What we do have is a recall count of 5 across the two model years we cover. For a heavy-duty commercial truck with complex systems, five recalls is a figure worth monitoring, and we strongly encourage owners to verify their VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup tool. On the complaints side, NHTSA received 43 owner-reported complaints across 2019 and 2020. Within those, 2 involve reported crashes and 2 involve reported fires, alongside 2 injury allegations. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but the fire-related complaints in particular deserve attention given the consequences a fire event can have in a working truck. The honest bottom line here is that the F-450 operates in a segment where federal crash-test coverage is thin, placing more responsibility on the owner to stay current on recalls and take complaints seriously.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the F-450 as an impressively capable work-focused truck with a commanding presence and a well-appointed cabin in higher trim levels. They tend to praise its towing and hauling credentials while noting that its sheer size demands adjustment from drivers accustomed to lighter-duty vehicles. Ride refinement and maneuverability in tight spaces are commonly cited as trade-offs inherent to the platform.
- NHTSA did not conduct crash testing on the 2019 or 2020 F-450, so there are no federal star ratings available for either model year covered here.
- Five recalls were issued across the 2019 and 2020 model years. Owners should check their specific VIN at NHTSA's official recall database to confirm whether any open recalls apply to their truck.
- Owner complaints include 2 reported fire incidents across both model years. While these are unverified allegations, fire-related complaints in a heavy-duty work truck warrant careful attention, particularly for vehicles used in demanding commercial environments.
- With 43 total complaints logged across just two model years, shoppers buying used examples should review the full NHTSA complaint history for their specific model year before purchasing.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Ford F-450 with 4 recalls.