Ford F-150
Ford F-150 is the half-ton pickup at the heart of the F-Series, the truck line that's been America's best-selling pickup every year since 1977. It arrived for 1975 as a slightly heavier-duty F-100, then picked up fuel injection, crew cabs, the SVT Lightning and Raptor, EcoBoost turbo V6s, an aluminum body and a hybrid that doubles as a generator. Today's 14th-generation F-150 runs from a 325-hp V6 to the 720-hp Raptor R. Pick your year below to jump to the right generation, or read on for the history and which one suits you.
Ford F-150 at a Glance
First F-150 1975 Slotted between the F-100 and F-250
Best-selling truck Since 1977 49 straight years through 2025
F-Series US sales, 2025 828,832 Ford's count, all F-Series
Generations 9 From the Dentside to today's 14th gen
Power range 325–720 hp Current V6 to the Raptor R
Max towing 13,500 lb 3.5 EcoBoost, properly equipped
Ford F-150 Generations
Years shown are US model years. The F-150 came in partway through the sixth-generation F-Series, which started in 1973. Codes are the nicknames and Ford program codes owners use most, and P221, P415 and P702 are commonly cited rather than official. Pick a card to open its full guide.
1975–1979
Dentside
6th gen5 model years
The first F-150, added for 1975 between the F-100 and F-250. F-Series became America's top-selling truck in 1977.
Guide coming soon
1980–1986
Bullnose
7th gen7 model years
A ground-up redesign with Twin Traction Beam front suspension on 4x4s and a fuel-injected 5.0 V8 for 1986.
Guide coming soon
1987–1991
Bricknose
8th gen5 model years
Flush composite headlights, fuel injection across the engine range and an overdrive automatic from 1989.
Guide coming soon
1992–1996
OBS
9th gen5 model years
The 'old body style' favorite, with the Flareside back and the first SVT Lightning from 1993 to 1995.
Guide coming soon
1997–2003
PN96
10th gen7 model years
Rounded aero styling, independent front suspension, Triton V8s, the SuperCrew from 2001 and a supercharged Lightning.
Guide coming soon
2004–2008
P221
11th gen5 model years
Fully boxed frame and the 5.4 three-valve V8. Ford also sold the old truck as the 2004 F-150 Heritage.
Guide coming soon
2009–2014
P415
12th gen6 model years
The first SVT Raptor in 2010, then EcoBoost and the Coyote 5.0 V8 for 2011.
Guide coming soon
2015–2020
P552
13th gen6 model years
Aluminum body on a steel frame, about 750 lb lighter, plus the 2.7 EcoBoost, a 10-speed and a diesel.
Guide coming soon
2021–present
P702
14th gen6 model years
Today's F-150: PowerBoost hybrid with onboard power, Tremor, Raptor R and the 2022–2025 Lightning EV.
Read the 14th gen guide →
Ford F-150 History
The F-150 went from a heavier-duty F-100 to the best-selling vehicle in America. Here are the moments that shaped it.
- 1975 The F-150 joins the F-Series, slotted between the F-100 and the F-250 and partly created to sidestep certain emissions rules.
- 1977 The F-Series becomes America's best-selling truck, a streak that has run every year since.
- 1981 The F-Series becomes America's best-selling vehicle of any kind, another streak still running through 2025.
- 1993 Ford's SVT launches the first F-150 Lightning, a street-tuned sport truck.
- 1997 A radical aero redesign brings independent front suspension and Triton V8s, and wins MotorTrend Truck of the Year.
- 2001 The four-door SuperCrew arrives, with a full-size back seat.
- 2010 The SVT Raptor turns the F-150 into an off-road desert runner.
- 2011 The twin-turbo 3.5 EcoBoost V6 and the 5.0 Coyote V8 arrive, and the F-150 wins MotorTrend Truck of the Year for 2012.
- 2015 An aluminum body cuts about 750 lb, while the frame stays steel.
- 2021 The 14th generation adds the PowerBoost hybrid, with up to 7.2 kW of onboard power for tools and campsites.
- 2022 The electric F-150 Lightning reaches customers in May, and Ford builds its 40 millionth F-Series truck.
- 2025 Ford ends production of the battery-electric Lightning in December and says the next one will be an extended-range EV with a gas generator.
Which F-150 Generation Is Right for You?
The right F-150 depends on how you'll use it and how much you want to spend. Here's how the generations line up for most buyers.
| Generation | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 6th–9th gen | 1975–1996 | Classic and project trucks; simple to wrench on |
| 10th gen | 1997–2003 | Cheap work trucks; check for frame and cab rust |
| 11th gen | 2004–2008 | Budget buyers only, with records for the 5.4 V8's plugs and cam phasers |
| 12th gen | 2009–2014 | Value pick; the 2011–2014 5.0 V8 is the safest bet |
| 13th gen | 2015–2020 | Lighter aluminum trucks; the 2018–2020 refresh is the better buy |
| 14th gen | 2021–present | Newest tech, hybrid power and onboard generator |
Our take: for most used buyers, a 2018–2020 13th-gen truck or a 2023-and-newer 14th-gen truck is the sweet spot. Whichever you pick, service records matter more than the badge.
F-150 Owners Community
F-150 owners talk towing, payload, off-roading, mods and keeping high-mileage trucks working. Share your truck, ask questions and swap tips with other owners.
- Towing setups and real-world mpg
- EcoBoost vs 5.0 V8
- PowerBoost and Pro Power Onboard
- Raptor and Tremor off-road builds
- Lift kits, wheels and tires
- Recalls and dealer service experiences
- Lightning ownership and charging
- Classic Dentside, Bullnose and OBS restorations
Ford F-150 FAQ
What years is each Ford F-150 generation?
In the US: 6th gen (Dentside) 1975–1979, 7th (Bullnose) 1980–1986, 8th (Bricknose) 1987–1991, 9th (OBS) 1992–1996, 10th 1997–2003, 11th 2004–2008, 12th 2009–2014, 13th 2015–2020 and the 14th from 2021 on.
What does the 150 in F-150 mean?
It marks the F-150's place in Ford's lineup as a half-ton pickup. It sat between the F-100 and the three-quarter-ton F-250 when it launched for 1975.
Which F-150 years have an aluminum body?
Every F-150 from 2015 on has an aluminum body on a steel frame. The switch cut about 750 lb.
Which F-150 years should I avoid?
Be careful with 2004–2008 trucks with the 5.4 V8 (cam phasers and spark plugs that break on removal), early 2011–2012 EcoBoosts (intercooler condensation, fixed by a service bulletin) and 2017–2020 trucks with rough-shifting 10-speeds that never got updated software.
Is the F-150 Lightning still made?
No. Ford ended production of the battery-electric Lightning in December 2025. It has announced a next-generation Lightning with a gas range extender but hasn't given a launch date.
Where is the Ford F-150 built?
At the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Missouri. Every PowerBoost hybrid comes from Dearborn.
Keep Exploring
Explore Ford's full lineup and the Mustang, or see how Chevrolet and Toyota take on the F-150.
Photo credits
- Header image: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2021 Ford F-150 SuperCrew in a bronze-gray…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red 2016 Ford F-150 XL SuperCab with…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew, 12th generation: IFCAR, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Red Ford F-150 FX4 regular cab, 11th…: IFCAR, Public domain, cropped and resized.