The Lemon Index2010 Ford F-150.
The 2010 Ford F-150 is better than average by owner complaints: 292 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 1 recall, and it gets 15 to 17 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,004 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford F-150 year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 94K miles on the car (864 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 24K–90K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 14K–110K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 52K–112K miles
Recalls 1
- body structure 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 112 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Lack of power wide open throttle only
- Supply/return lines installation at high pressure pump-revised washer for trucks equipped with…
- There is a rattle noise when driving 25-30 mph from the transmission when under load
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
It was frosty out and I turned on the rear defrost. A few blocks down the road, I heard a pop and my back window broke. I have the electronic sliding rear window.
2010 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 10550792
More owner reports
I was driving and the rear window popped, smelled like an electrical fire. Truck is still at the shop they cannot id the issue I fear that if only the glass is replaced that this issue will reoccur.
NHTSA complaint 10502333
2010 Ford f-150, driving on gravel and rock road in 4h, wiring harness on left side below drivers seat lay below the frame rail, causing road debris to grab harness and rip/tear the wiring bundle.
NHTSA complaint 10374047
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Ford F-150 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2010 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (21%), engine (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Ford F-150 have?
1 safety recall (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Ford F-150 get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,300 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 59,000 miles, from 864 complaints.
Does the 2010 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Ford F-150 have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works