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Large pickup truck; Built in USA
  • crew cab long bed
  • crew cab short bed
  • ext. cab long bed
  • ext. cab short bed
  • reg. cab long bed
  • reg. cab short bed
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $17,500 – $46,000*


2015 Ford F-150


2015 Ford F-150


2015 Ford F-150


2015 Ford F-150

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Fuel economy for the class
  • Quietness
Cons:
  • Control layout
  • Ride not best in class
  • Visibility

The lightweight body structure, high-tech available features, and impressive powertrain lineup help the F-150 feel like a truly cutting-edge pickup inside and out.

Overview

Ford redesigned its strong-selling F-150 full-size pickup for 2015, taking the bold step of switching to lightweight aluminum body panels in place of steel. The 2015 F-150 offered regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body configurations among XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trim levels. The top engine option is a 385-hp 5.0-liter V8. Two EcoBoost turbocharged V6s—a 365-hp 3.5-liter and a 325-hp 2.7-liter—are also available. The base engine is a 282-hp 3.5-liter V6.

Yearly Updates

2016 F-150
The 2016 Ford F-150 gained a Pro Trailer Assist option that greatly simplifies backing up a trailer. Also new was an available SYNC 3 media control system that replaced MyFord Touch. A prep package for converting the 5.0-liter V8 to natural gas or propane was also available.
2017 F-150
The off-road/performance-oriented Raptor returned to the Ford F-150 line for 2017. The 2017 Raptor replaced the previous V8 with a high-output, 450-horsepower version of Ford’s turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in other F-150 models was a redesigned turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost that develops 375 horsepower and was also mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission.
2018 F-150
The Ford F-150 got a mid-cycle refresh for 2018 with revised styling, new features, new engines, and increased availability of the 10-speed automatic transmission. Pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and WiFi hotspot were newly available. The base 3.5-liter V6 engine had been replaced by a 3.3-liter V6 that is rated at the same 282-horsepower as the previous 3.5-liter. The turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost has been redesigned, but its 325-hp rating was also unchanged. The 5.0-liter V8 was revised and horsepower increased from 285 to 295. A 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 was added during the model year. All engines (except the base 3.3-liter V6 which has a 6-speed automatic) were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All 2018 F-150s had fuel-saving stop/start technology.
2019 F-150
The Ford F-150 had a few upgrades after 2018’s mid-cycle refresh. The 450-hp Raptor engine was newly standard in Limited. Raptor got electronically controlled Fox shock absorbers and Trail Control, a low-speed cruise control that adjusts power and braking to each wheel at speeds between 1-20 mph.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

For 2015, the top power option was a “traditional” 5.0-liter V8 rated at 385 horsepower. Then came a 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 rated at 365 hp (an engine that had been available since 2011). Moving down the ladder (power wise) was another EcoBoost turbo, a 2.7-liter V6 with 325 hp—which was new for 2015—followed by the base engine, a 3.5-liter V6 with 282 horsepower. All engines use a 6-speed automatic transmission for 2015-16. In 2017, the Raptor retuned with a 450-hp version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost paired with a 10-speed automatic. In 2018, the base 3.5-liter V6 was replaced by a 3.3-liter V6 with 290 hp. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost was redesigned, but horsepower was unchanged. The 5.0-liter V8 was also redesigned and horsepower increased to 295. A turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6 with 250 was added for 2018. For 2019, the 450-hp Raptor EcoBoost was also standard in Limited models.

Turbodiesel dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 250
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 440
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
10-speed automatic

 20/25

 26
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/213
Engine HP 282
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 253
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 18/25
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.3/201
Engine HP 290
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 265
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 18/23
Turbocharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.7/164
Engine HP 325
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 375
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic
10-speed automatic 		19/22
20/25 		17
Turbocharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/213
Engine HP 365/450
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 420/510
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic
10-speed automatic 		17/24
18/25 		17
15
dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.0/302
Engine HP 385
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 387
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic
10-speed automatic 		15/22
16/22 		19

Road Test

For the redesigned 2015 model, Ford has replaced the traditional steel body with one made from aluminum … yep, same as your pop can. Lighter weight resulting in better fuel economy was the goal, but there were a lot of risks involved—in manufacturing, in reputation, and in buyer acceptance.

Furthermore, two of the four engines offered on the venerable F-150 are now turbocharged—and rather small turbocharged ones at that. The top power option is a “traditional” 5.0-liter V8 rated at 385 horsepower. Then comes a 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 rated at 365 hp (an engine that has been available since 2011). Moving down the ladder (power wise) is another EcoBoost turbo, a 2.7-liter V6 with 325 hp—which is new for 2015—followed by the base engine, a 3.5-liter V6 with 282 horsepower.

As usual, the F-150 is available in regular- extended- and crew-cab body styles with rear-wheel drive or 4WD in a variety of trim levels. What we tested was a crew-cab 4×4—the heaviest of the bunch—in mid-level Lariat trim with the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.

While we were skeptical about having such a small mill powering such a big pickup, the 2.7 proved to be “The Little Engine That Could,” moving this massive vehicle with surprising spirit. As typical of small, turbocharged engines, mashing the throttle from a stop resulted in “moving away” rather than “jumping” off the line, but power came in within about 15 feet to provide impressively strong acceleration—at least with little in the way of a load. Equally satisfying was highway passing power, aided by a transmission that kicked down fairly quickly when the throttle was stabbed at speed. Of course, the whole idea behind the lightweight body and small engine was to improve fuel economy, and indeed, the EPA estimates are top of the class. However, I averaged a mediocre 16.6 mpg over 330 miles of about 70 percent highway driving, though one all-highway stint returned 18.26 mpg—still well below the EPA estimate.

While the ride was better than one might expect, there were still some telltale reverberations after larger bumps—typical of pickups—though they were nowhere near as noticeable as what might be considered “the norm” … though I think the Ram 1500 may still have an edge when it comes to ride quality. The F-150 also exhibited low wind and road noise at highway speeds, which—combined with the relatively smooth ride—made it a comfortable cruiser.

As with most full redesigns, the inside was also updated. Fitted with a mix of woodgrain and matte-silver trim along with numerous padded surfaces, the two-tone interior projected a decidedly rich look and feel. There was also a good amount of storage, with a decent-size glovebox, a dashtop bin, a modest-size flip-up console box (our tester was fitted with a front-center seat for 6-passenger capacity, with the underside of the console box forming the backrest, which may have reduced space), a tray under the flip-up middle-seat cushion, four cupholders, a low center dash bin below Aux/SD card/2 USB/12-volt plugs (another 12-volt along with a 120-volt household plug are left of the glovebox), and small bins in the door panels with huge map pockets below. In back, the rear seat cushion flips up to provide a wide, floor-to-ceiling load space.

Visibility is a mixed bag. It’s fine to the front and rear corners, but the side roof pillars are very thick, restricting the over-the-shoulder view to both sides—and the outside mirrors aren’t wide enough to compensate.

The control layout could also be better. The touchscreen along with most of the surprisingly numerous buttons and knobs are quite a stretch away from the driver—with some mounted very low on the dash—leaving them out of easy reach. Yet most are otherwise simple enough to use, with only fan speed being controlled by inconvenient repetitive-step pushbuttons.

You’d think a full-size crew-cab pickup would offer tremendous passenger space—and overall, the F-150 does—so it was surprising to find that the front seat didn’t go far enough back to afford stretch-out legroom to very lanky drivers (though most would find it ample). And though the doors are large, the step-up is exceptionally high; in fact, the floor in back sits a good three inches above the already-tall doorsill. Also high are the sidewalls of the cargo bed, which, combined with the tall ride height, means an average-size person can’t reach over the side to pick up items on the floor of the bed. One thing appreciated, however, was the counterbalanced tailgate, which dropped slowly when released.

While the redesigned F-150 isn’t perfect, it is indeed a step forward, and we have no complaints with the “new” stuff—the aluminum body and the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine. Unless folks get squeamish about those untested elements, we see no reason the F-150 won’t continue its three-decade winning streak.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2015 Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 2.7L EcoBoost

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 59

Specifications

crew cab long bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
156.8 243.7 96.8 75.7 4602
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1900 23.0 6.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 40.4 43.9 43.6
crew cab short bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
145.0 231.9 96.8 75.6 4471
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 2640 23.0 6.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 40.4 43.9 43.6
ext. cab long bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
167.3 250.5 96.8 75.5 4359
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 3020 23.0 6.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 40.3 43.9 33.5
ext. cab short bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
145.0 231.9 96.8 75.5 4371
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 2330 23.0 6.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 40.3 43.9 33.5
reg. cab long bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
141.1 227.9 96.8 75.1 4154
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 3270 23.0 3.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 NA 43.9 NA
reg. cab short bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
122.4 209.3 96.8 75.5 4051
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1930 23.0 3.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.8 NA 43.9 NA
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2015 F-150 Super Crew crew cab short bed

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Trouble Spots

Coolant leak
Description: F-150 with 5.0-liter V8 may have a coolant leak from the heater outlet hose. (2015)
Doors
Description: Doors are difficult to open or close in cold weather. (2015-19)
Engine noise
Description: F-150 with 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine may have a cracked piston skirt that causes a ticking noise. (2015-18)
Oil leak
Description: F-150 with turbocharged engine may leak from turbo oil return pipe. (2015-19)
Sunroof/moonroof
Description: F-150 with sunroof. Sunroof may fail to open or close because of cracked or broken brackets. (2015-19)
Hood/trunk
Description: Aluminum body panels may corrode and bubbled or peeling paint. (2015)
Transmission problems
Description: F-150 with electronic shift-on-the-fly 4WD may have intermittent grinding noise while in 2WD because of loss of vacuum to activator. (2015-18)
Transmission problems
Description: F-150 with 6-speed automatic transmission may not go in Reverse. (2015-17)
Transmission problems
Description: F-150 with 5.0-liter V8 engine may have faulty overdrive clutch plate that will cause a squawk sound when downshifting during hard acceleration. (2015)
Transmission problems
Description: F-150 with 5.0-liter V8 may have a rattling/grinding sound that requires replacing the transmission bellhousing spacer plate. (2018-19)

Recall History

2015 F-150
Description: Front seat-belt pretensioner cable may not be properly crimped. The seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash.
2015 F-150 with adaptive cruise control
Description: Adaptive cruise control may falsely detect an obstacle in its path an unexpectedly apply brakes.
2015 F-150
Description: Steering upper intermediate shaft was not properly riveted. It could separate and result in loss of steering.
2015 F-150
Description: Some vehicles are missing underbody heat shields. This could lead to melting of fuel or vapor lines and result in a fire.
2015 F-150
Description: Seatbelts may not be anchored properly.
2015-16 F-150
Description: Doors may open while driving.
2015-17 F-150
Description: The brake master cylinder could leak brake fluid into the booster and reduce braking efficiency.
2015-17 F-150
Description: Left-rear seatblelt may detach.
2015-17 F-150
Description: Doors may open during a side impact.
2015-18 F-150
Description: The upper ball joint may be installed incorrectly. This could cause the ball-joint stud to break and compromise steering.
2015-18 F-150
Description: Front seat-belt pretensioner may cause fire after deployment.
2015-19 F-150 w/engine-block heater
Description: The engine-block heater could have a damaged cable that might result in fire.
2015-19 F-150 w/engine-block heater
Description: Engine-block heater splice connector may corrode and cause a short that could result in fire.
2016 F-150
Description: Front-seat adjuster bolts may loosen and the passenger would not be properly restrained during a crash.
2016 F-150
Description: Front-seat passenger sensor may identify an adult as a child. The passenger-side airbag would not deploy during a crash and increase the risk of injury.
2016-17 F-150
Description: The driver’s seatback frame may fail during a crash increasing the risk of injury.
2017 F-150
Description: Faulty shift linkage may result in loss of Park function. Vehicle may roll and cause injury.
2017 F-150
Description: Insufficient seat and seatbelt weld may fail during a crash and result in injury.
2017 F-150
Description: Passenger-side airbag inflator may rupture and metal fragments could cause injury.
2017 F-150
Description: Instrument panel may fail to display shifter position. The driver may not know if the vehicle is in Park and the vehicle could move unintentionally.
2017-18 F-150
Description: Missing roll-pin in shifter may cause loss of Park function. Vehicle could roll and cause injury.
2018 F-150
Description: Faulty tires may fail and result in loss of control.
2018 F-150
Description: Fuel pump may leak and result in fire.
2018 F-150
Description: Shifter may incorrectly indicate Park. Vehicle may roll and cause injury.
2018 F-150
Description: Cylinder heads could have been incorrectly machined and cause stalling and engine failure.
2018 F-150
Description: Rivets missing from roof braces could reduce integrity during a rollover.
2018-19 F-150
Description: Daytime running light may not dim and reduce visibility of other drivers.
2018-19 F-150
Description: A faulty recliner may weaken seatback strength and may not adequately restrain a passenger during a crash.
2019 F-150
Description: Excessive sealant adhesive on battery cable could cause engine to stall.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on May 26, 2021.
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