What's Wrong with the 10th Generation (1997–2003) F-150?

F-150 owners have made 663 complaints about the 1997–2003 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 65th out of 94 Ford generations in overall reliability, with some engine and body concerns.

Compare With Other F-150 Generations

Common 1997-2003 Ford F-150 Problems

Some of the worst issues 10th generation F-150 owners have to deal with.

  1. Why Do Ford Hoods Corrode So Easily?

    Cars are prone to rust, unfortunately that's just the way it is. This is especially true for those who live in rust belt states where salt is used to clear ice from roads. We can fight the onslaught with regular washes and waxing ... unless…

    Continue reading article "Why Do Ford Hoods Corrode So Easily?" A large patch of hood paint is missing right above the grille, revealing the hood's bare metal.

  2. Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine

    Ford Triton engines are spitting out spark plugs like sunflower seeds, but the suits in Detroit act like there isn't any problem. They're wrong. We believe this defect affects the following 2-valve engines: Triton 4.6L V8, 5.4L V8, 6.8L V10…

    Continue reading article "Spark Plugs Ejected in Triton Engine"

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

10th Generation (1997–2003) F-150 Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 663 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 65th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 94 eligible generations.

Recent 10th Generation (1997–2003) F-150 News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core.

    The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. It’s also a great place to trap moisture and encourage corrosion. The end result? A lug nut that’s either too big for a standard wrench or fused so tight you need a drill, welding torch, and 7 Hail Marys to remove it.

    A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design. It also said the automaker is aware of the problems, but won’t honor its warranty by denying any lug nut related claims.…

    keep reading article "The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed"

  2. Ford wants the lug nut lawsuit tossed because "the plaintiffs never allege the swollen lug nuts have ever caused physical injuries to any person or damage to any property."

    Ford also says the plaintiffs talk about swollen lug nuts as if the lug nuts should be indestructible and the warranties should last forever, then wrongly "attempt to cast their product-defect allegations as warranty, fraud and unjust-enrichment claims."

    Should lug nuts last forever? Of course not. But they also shouldn't fuse into something harder than a diamond after 10,000 miles on the road.…

    keep reading article "Lug Nut Lawsuit is Baseless According to Ford Attorneys"

  3. Ford has been sued for switching to a 2-piece lug nut design that features an aluminum cap.

    When exposed to the elements, the cap swells in the heat, cracks and delaminates, and corrodes from moisture. This leaves owners and lessees who get flat tires often stranded on the roads without the ability for even tow truck drivers to remove the swollen lug nuts. This means a tow to the shop just to have the lug nuts removed and the tire replaced.

    The two-piece capped lug nuts are cheaper than a one-piece stainless plug, but they look nice because of the cap. Most owners never think twice about the lug nut when buying a vehicle, only to be met with this headache down the road.

    keep reading article "Ford Sued for Using Two-Piece Lug Nuts That Swell"