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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2000 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 17 safety recalls and 1,206 owner complaints for the 2000 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve electrical system (211) and vehicle speed control (201). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 11 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
17campaigns
Latest Jul 2011
Owner complaints
1,206
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

17 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Remedy pending

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2011NHTSA 11V385000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 17 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,206 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1999 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system211
  2. Vehicle speed control201
  3. Engine and engine cooling157
  4. Fuel system, gasoline126
  5. Air bags78
  6. Steering77
  7. Structure76
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic72
  9. Power train52

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
92
Fires reported
361
Injuries reported
79
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

211 reports3 crashes142 fires
“Truck was shut down while driving. I was unable to apply brakes in a safe manner, truck was hard to stop and steering wheel was impossible to turn. Something in the steering wheel column ALWAYS breaks on Ford F150 model trucks. There are 3 F150's in my family right now and ALL 3 have had the same exact problems. Something in the electrical system makes the batteries go bad prematurely. The air conditioner compressors and the dryers all go bad prematurely. The door locks on ALL Ford models break and doors cannot be opened. The gear shifters will not go all the way into park and vehicle rolls posing a danger to anyone standing nearby. I nearly got run over by this Ford F150 slipping out of gear and rolling backward, had there not been a planter with plants in between me and the truck I would have been run over by my own truck and DEAD! There AbSoLuTeLy DOES NOT need to be a KILL SWITCH installed on ANY vehicle, as it endangers all drivers and all passengers in the vehicle, as well as poses a danger to any surrounding motorists!!!!!! This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS for an elderly driver or inexperienced driver!! Maybe before FORD installs a kill switch, they need to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11774985

Vehicle speed control

201 reports4 crashes159 fires
“Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing with a engine light about 1 year earlier that popped up again about 3 months ago. The codes indicated "Lean bank-Right" and "Lean bank-Left". Facts: On July 20, 2026, at approximately 1:00 AM, my 1997 Ford F-150 spontaneously caught fire while parked in my garage. The vehicle had not been started for well over a week. The fire raged directly under our bedroom for over 40 minutes before the fire department was able to attempt containment, nearly burning our house to the ground. There were also two other vehicles in the garage at the time. We are currently in the early stages of a major Homeowners Insurance (HOI) restoration claim. Fortunately, the fire scene in the garage remains intact as of this date while the HOI conducts their investigations. We have learned that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11756937

Engine and engine cooling

157 reports4 crashes52 fires
“ON MARCH 30, 2014, AT APPROXIMATELY 3:00 P.M. (PST) MY 2000 FORD F-150 UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE COULD BE SEEN COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE ENGULFED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MELTING ALL THE PLASTIC, WIRING AND THE AIR INTAKE AREA. THE FIRE MELTED EVERYTHING NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HOUSING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10575964
All 2000 F-150 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

11 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl cng
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121614$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 2WD CNG
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$3,600541
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD CNG
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $3,600/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Ford F-150 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 4109Vehicle 4046
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Ford F-150 have?

17 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 1,206 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (211), vehicle speed control (201), engine and engine cooling (157). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Ford F-150 at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026