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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-FORD-F-150 NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2010 · Ford

Ford F-150 problems

840 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 1 active recall campaign on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 F-150?
Avoid — the electrical system

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
151 reports · fails ~71,604 mi · avg $850
severe
visibility
146 reports · fails ~65,036 mi · avg $350
severe
powertrain
111 reports · fails ~75,141 mi · avg $2,500
severe
engine
83 reports · fails ~67,289 mi · avg $3,100
severe
body
62 reports · fails ~64,601 mi · avg $1,500
severe
steering
48 reports · fails ~64,712 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
44 reports · fails ~62,436 mi · avg $450
moderate
lighting
24 reports · fails ~44,259 mi · avg $250
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 F-150's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 F-150?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 F-150 · visibility
While driving down the highway, I turned on the rear window defroster to melt some snow on that window. No cars in sight in either direction. Suddenly there was a load noise (almost like a gunshot). The back sliding window panel on the passenger side blew out. There appeared…
12/30/2015 · at 60,394 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816916.0 · see visibility pattern →
2010 F-150 · body
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford f-150. The contact stated that water leaked inside the vehicle during inclement weather. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the leak originated from the third brake light. The…
12/30/2015 · at 92,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10816974.0 · see body pattern →
2010 F-150 · electrical
While driving I turned on the defroster for the back window and approx. 1 minute later the passenger side rear section of the back window shattered I was driving about 25 miles an hour after making a turn this happened. *js
12/30/2015 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10817090.0 · see electrical pattern →
2010 F-150 · electrical
I left for work in the morning and I turned on the rear defrost because we had a heavy frost overnight. Window was fine when I got out of truck at work. It was a 10 minute drive to work. When I got back into truck 10 hours later to leave work, I saw that the passenger side of…
12/30/2014 · at 50,723 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669116.0 · see electrical pattern →
View all 840 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Ford F-150? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V049000 February 1, 2011

Ford is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 f-150 vehicles manufactured from january 18, 2008, through november 30, 2009

In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open.

Fix: Owners will be initially notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/mercury dealer if any interior door handle is loose or fails to return to the stowed position after activation for replacement of the affect module. Once parts become available, owners will be renotified and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/mercury dealer for inspection of each interior door handle. Depending on the results of the inspection, the dealer will either add a spring embossment reinforcement or replace the interior door handle module free of charge. The safety recall began on february 10, 2011. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Ford F-150 reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 840 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Ford F-150 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2010 Ford F-150?

On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Ford F-150 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 17 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Visibility: 146 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 38,300–83,500 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Ford F-150?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 151 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,604 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 71,604 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford F-150 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Ford F-150?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 840 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Ford/F-150. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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