Which Years of Used Ford Raptors Are Most Reliable?
Source: Pixabay
The Ford Raptor was originally launched in 2010 with the goal of creating a reliable, performance-focused truck. Through focusing on performance, the Ford Raptor became a lighter, more consistent Ford F-150 that was still capable of tackling some of the toughest terrain, like puddles and rocky roads. If you’re in the market for one of these vehicles, you need to know the most reliable Ford Raptor year available. Let’s take a closer look.
Most Reliable Years for the Ford Raptor
The Ford Raptor certainly has produced several stellar, reliable years over its manufacturing lifespan. At the time of this writing, the most reliable used Ford Raptors include the:
THE FORD RAPTOR YEARS TO AVOID
If you’re looking into a used version of this car, you might have one question - what are the Ford Raptor years to avoid?
- 2010 Ford Raptor
- 2017 Ford Raptor
- 2018 Ford Raptor
- 2019 Ford Raptor
- 2020 Ford Raptor
- 2021 Ford Raptor
- 2022 Ford Raptor
As you can see from the above pattern, most of the recent Ford Raptor vehicle variations are more reliable than their earlier counterparts. There’s one exception in the 2010 Ford Raptor, which has a powerful 5.4 L V8 engine and a reputation for overall mechanical consistency/build durability.
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Are Ford Raptors Generally Reliable?
In general, you’ll find that second-generation Ford Raptors are more reliable than their first-generation counterparts. Indeed, the most reliable Ford Raptor years usually include vehicles from the most recent generation of cars.
As an example, according to fourwheeltrends.com, the most reliable Ford Raptor years correlate with the best years overall, including the 2020 model. Most customers rate this vehicle highly and don’t experience a lot of maintenance problems.
Rerev.com also indicates that more recent Ford Raptor years tend to have higher reliability scores, with the exception of the 2010 Ford Raptor (which is just as reliable as more recent iterations of the vehicle). All told, any of the more recent years of Ford Raptor should serve you well for years to come.
Which Ford Raptors Are the Least Reliable?
There are also some years of Ford Raptor vehicles you should avoid at all costs. These include:
- 2013 Ford Raptor
- 2011 Ford Raptor
- 2012 Ford Raptor
- 2014 Ford Raptor
Out of all of these, the 2012 Ford Raptor seems to be the least reliable because it received the highest number of complaints from customers. Specifically, most consumers complained about the engine and transmission issues, which combined to produce a subpar driving experience and increased user concern during its release.
For example, if you purchase one of these used models, you might find that you experience vibrations at high speeds. Plus, if you go past 60,000 miles, your truck will be passed the warranty mileage, meaning you’ll be out of pocket for any major replacements or repairs that need to be made.
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Are Ford Raptors Expensive to Maintain?
To really get your money’s worth, you should take annual maintenance costs into account before purchasing a used Ford Raptor. According to repairpal.com, the average annual repair costs for a used Ford Raptor measure in at about $788.
That’s fairly expensive, although it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. Some repairs are also more expensive than others. For instance, an engine front cover gasket replacement will cost significantly more than something like a noise diagnosis or a transfer case output shaft oil seal replacement.
Stick with one of the most reliable Ford Raptor years to avoid high maintenance fees over your vehicle’s lifespan and to enjoy better safety overall.
Which Ford Raptor is Most Reliable?
To hedge your bets, look for a used version of the most reliable Ford Raptor year: the 2020 Ford Raptor.
It’s perhaps no surprise that one of the most recent iterations of the Ford Raptor is also one of the most reliable models. It has a very low number of issues according to carproper.com, and it doesn’t show any signs of developing major mechanical hiccups in the near future.
More importantly, current owners of this vehicle have only good things to say about its agility, fuel mileage, and overall power. The EcoBoost turbo engine is also excellent, as it adds increased towing potential to your truck, allowing you to tackle big jobs for your work or home renovation projects.
What Are the Most Common Ford Raptor Problems?
Need to know when you should take your used Ford Raptor to repair shop? According to copilotsearch.com, the most common Ford Raptor problems you might encounter can include:
- Engine troubles, which can be debilitating. These include shaking and rattling of the engine as well as stalling and stopping of the engine at increased speeds
- Window issues, like windows not functioning or being fragile
- Steering problems, which usually only pop up after some miles. This can take the form of the steering system locking up and stopping users from driving their vehicles safely
Always take your used Ford Raptor into a repair shop if you notice any of these problems.
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What Reddit Says About the Best Year of the Ford Raptor:
The Ford Raptor, a high-performance off-road variant of the F-150, has captured the hearts of truck enthusiasts with its rugged design and impressive capabilities. But how does it fare in terms of reliability? Let’s dive into some firsthand experiences shared by Raptor owners on Reddit to get a clearer picture.
A solid general advice from a Reddit user:
Comment
byu/Soft-Peak-6527 from discussion
inFordRaptor
A vote of confidence for first-gen Raptors:
Posts from the fordraptor
community on Reddit
Another great piece of advice for would-be Raptor buyers:
Posts from the fordraptor
community on Reddit
On how newer Raptors are less likely to have issues:
Comment
byu/Soft-Peak-6527 from discussion
inFordRaptor
As you can see, many folks are happy with their Raptors in terms of reliability. However, many seem to recommend the newer generations rather than the first one.
Is the Ford Raptor Worth It?
Even with some of the less-than-ideal model years, a used Ford Raptor could very well be worth it. The Ford Raptor remains a very high-performance truck that provides greater versatility and even better value for money compared to a Ford F-150 in many cases.
Furthermore, a good Ford Raptor will stick with you and continue to provide top-notch performance if you take care of it. Even though the vehicle sounds expensive, it might be more affordable than you think, particularly compared to other performance pickup trucks.
Final Thoughts
In the end, a used Ford Raptor could be just what you need for tackling upcoming work projects, commuting to outdoors worksites, and working as a family vehicle that you plan to use for offroad adventures, like camping or home renovation projects.
That said, be sure to purchase one of the most reliable Ford Raptor years if you can. Ask for a vehicle history report before buying any used car, and have a mechanical look at a used Ford Raptor before you buy it. By taking these simple steps, you’ll avoid accidentally purchasing a dud or lemon vehicle and be able to spend your money on a truck that’s really worth your time.
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