Here Are The Ford Raptor Years To Avoid


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Ford Raptor
Source: Pixabay

The Ford Raptor was a big step up for the Ford brand, improving on the already powerful F-150 in all the best ways. This nameplate has been in production on and off since 2010. If you’re looking into a used version of this car, you might have one question - what are the Ford Raptor years to avoid?

We can help you out with the answer to that question so you can make the best choice for your future. The ideal vehicle is safe and won’t cost you lots in repairs. There are some Ford Raptor years to avoid, but there are others that you can invest in for your home without a second thought. Read on to learn more!

Ford Raptor Years to Avoid

There have been some excellent Ford Raptor models over the years, but there have also been some Ford Raptor years to avoid. If you want to make the most out of your money, you must understand which versions of this vehicle to steer clear from at a dealership.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE FORD RAPTOR

If you’re in the market for one of these vehicles, you need to know the most reliable Ford Raptor year available. 


The Ford Raptor years to stay away from include:

  • 2009
  • 2012
  • 2014

These are some of the worst years in existence for the Ford Raptor.

Overall, the worst year for the Ford Raptor was 2012. We’ll talk about a few of the reasons behind these terrible years next, so you can get a better understanding of why these are the Ford Raptors to avoid. They’re incredible cars, so you should take time to purchase the best used model.


FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE

You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available. 


What Makes These Years Worth Avoiding?

We talked about the Ford Raptor years to avoid, but what factors make it reasonable to avoid these vehicles, rather than investing in them? We’ll dive into the top customer complaints to give you a better idea.

According to motorandwheels.com, some of the top reasons that make these years worth avoiding include:

  • Engine troubles
  • Window issues
  • Steering problems 

These were the most prominent complaints that stood out amongst the Ford Raptor models.

Let’s dive into each of these customer complaints so you can get a better idea of why these are the Ford Raptor years to avoid. If you’re going to invest in a vehicle, you want something worth your money. Let us help you out.

Engine Troubles

Engine troubles were the issue that appeared most in the Ford Raptor. Although Ford took care of these as the years went on, many of the initial iterations of the vehicle are littered with engine troubles. The engine of the 2012 model is particularly rough to deal with as a driver.

Some of the specific engine issues with the Ford Raptor include:

  • Stalling and stopping engine at increased speed
  • Shaking and rattling engine 

These are just a few of the main engine issues customers dealt with in the Ford Raptor.

Engines are expensive to deal with, and they tend to keep recurring in vehicles more susceptible. The 2012 model is the worst, so keep away from this one if you don’t want to handle expensive engine replacement or spark plug fixes with your new investment.

Window Issues

The windows were another shocking disadvantage that came with the Ford F-250. According to various customer complaints, the windows on the 2012 model tended to shatter in the winter. Although Ford offered to fix them for free, this model isn’t ideal if you live somewhere cold.

With damaged windows, you could face troubles such as:

  • Injury from glass
  • Damaged interiors
  • Pricey repairs

Shattered windows can be a nasty surprise on a cold winter day, especially if you have somewhere to be.

Avoid the 2012 model of the Raptor if you want to steer clear of windows that have the potential to shatter. Later models of the vehicle have been improved upon to take care of this unnecessary breakage.

Steering Problems

Steering problems were another issue that popped up with the Ford Raptor. Some users claimed that after a certain amount of miles, the steering system locked up and prevented them from taking proper control of their vehicle.

This issue was prominent in all of the models listed above. Not only can this be dangerous, but it is also an expensive problem to fix. If you want to avoid used models that already have steering problems ingrained in their system, don’t invest in the years we discussed above.


THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET

When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.


Which Years are Safe to Buy Used?

We’ve discussed the Ford Raptor years to avoid, but what about the ones that are ideal to invest in for the long haul? When talking about years to avoid, it’s just as vital to bring up the great years so you can make a well-rounded decision about the vehicle that will fit your life.

According to motorandwheels.com, some of the best years for the Ford Raptor includes:

  • 2010
  • 2020

These years have been some of the best to date with the Ford Raptor.

Out of these two, the 2020 model stands out as the best option. Ford took on the customer complaints and flipped them around, making a versatile vehicle that vastly improved on previous models. The 2010 model is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a reliable Ford Raptor that was not created as recently as the 2020 model.


THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000

We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten. 


Conclusion

It’s always been tough picking out a new car. When selecting a used car, you have hundreds of models and years to select from for your future. The Ford Raptor is no different. There are many iterations of this vehicle that have changed over the years. Some are better than others, and it’s vital you know the difference.

The best models of the Ford Raptor are the 2010 and 2020 years, while the worst includes the 2009 model, 2012, and 2014 varieties. With the information we talked about, you can decide which version of the popular and wild vehicle will work best for you. When you make a big investment, you want to get the most you can for the money you spend. We hope this was helpful for your car-investing future!



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