After what model year was the rust issues finally solved?
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 155
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From: Easton PA
After what model year was the rust issues finally solved?
Looking to buy another, but wanting to know when the trucks got "better". My 2007 is an oxidizing old work horse, looking to upgrade. Trailering my race car all over the North East. Plus bad weather driving/
What years should I look for?
What years should I look for?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2023
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15+ will give you an aluminum body, but its not impervious to oxidation. No truck on the market gets away from rust, especially in the salt belt. Up here in Alberta, my 2013 looked brand new still when I traded it in. My 16 has a bit of surface rust on areas of the frame and untreated areas, but thats it.
Community Team
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 8,946
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From: Vermont
The 15+ trucks are approaching 10 years old. I’ve never seen a single case of body panel corrosion or holes.
The frame and suspension are still steel and need to be treaded, but supposedly it’s a superior quality steel.
I have a 2017 in Vermont. Truck is still perfect.
Id say yes Ford has fixed a lot of issues with aluminum. No more rotted wheel wells, rockers, doors, or cab corners. No 15+ trucks have shown issues in those areas like the old steel bodies.
The frame and suspension are still steel and need to be treaded, but supposedly it’s a superior quality steel.
I have a 2017 in Vermont. Truck is still perfect.
Id say yes Ford has fixed a lot of issues with aluminum. No more rotted wheel wells, rockers, doors, or cab corners. No 15+ trucks have shown issues in those areas like the old steel bodies.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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From: Somewhere on the south side of Heaven.
Few points to note: Aluminum does not rust. Steel does.
Aluminum corrodes through a process called oxidation. When that happens a thin layer of aluminum oxide forms over the surface of the metal which prevents further corrosion.
So because of that, you will never find a 2015+ F150 with traditional rot holes in the body.
Water and air causes the iron in the steel to oxidize and form rust. When a steel body truck starts to rust, it keeps on going. The layer of rust doesn't prevent further corrosion which is why those trucks rot through.
Bottom line, if you want a F150 that can still look decent after 10 years it has to be a 2015 aluminum body. But you will still want to treat the frame as it is steel.
Aluminum corrodes through a process called oxidation. When that happens a thin layer of aluminum oxide forms over the surface of the metal which prevents further corrosion.
So because of that, you will never find a 2015+ F150 with traditional rot holes in the body.
Water and air causes the iron in the steel to oxidize and form rust. When a steel body truck starts to rust, it keeps on going. The layer of rust doesn't prevent further corrosion which is why those trucks rot through.
Bottom line, if you want a F150 that can still look decent after 10 years it has to be a 2015 aluminum body. But you will still want to treat the frame as it is steel.