Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin DB12 vs FORD F 150
How the Aston Martin DB12 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Aston Martin DB12 vs FORD F 150: The DB12 has 0 complaints over 3 years and 4 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin DB12 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin DB12
The Aston Martin DB12 is a low-volume luxury sports car, and its NHTSA record reflects that: zero owner complaints over three years, but four recalls. The recalls involve engine oil and lubrication pipes/hoses/fittings and back-over prevention display function. With no complaint text on file, there is no owner-reported failure pattern to describe, so buyers should rely on recall remedies and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging 1,162.1 per year, plus 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. Owner complaints concentrate on the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Reported symptoms include transmissions stuck in limp mode or 5th gear, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin DB12 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Aston Martin DB12
No component data available.
Recalls cover engine oil and lubrication pipes, hoses, and fittings. A failure here could lead to oil loss or engine damage, so buyers should confirm the recall was performed and check for leaks or weeping fittings.
Recalls also cover the back-over prevention display function. If the display fails, the driver may not see the rearview camera image, increasing the risk of a back-over incident; buyers should verify the recall remedy and test the camera display.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmissions that go into limp mode, get stuck in 5th gear, and fail due to lead frame or output speed sensor issues. These can leave the truck undriveable or create dangerous highway situations, so a pre-purchase scan for transmission codes and a test drive are essential.
Complaints include lead frame problems and a rear window defroster short that can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can affect multiple systems, so buyers should check for recall completion and inspect the rear defroster and window.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint category, though specific failure text is not provided. Lighting failures matter for visibility and safety, so buyers should test all lights and look for moisture or corrosion in housings.
Engine complaints are also common, but no sample text is given. Engine issues can be costly, so a mechanic should check for leaks, unusual noises, and stored fault codes before purchase.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Aston Martin DB12 — 4 recalls
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2024-2025 DBX707, 2024-2025 DB12, and 2025 Vantage vehicles. The engine oil cooler hose may split during vehicle operation, resulting in a loss of oil and oil pressure.
The risk: A sudden loss of oil and oil pressure could lead to the engine stalling or seizing, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2024. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-03-1973.
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2024-2025 DB12, 2025 Vantage, and 2025 DBX707 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: The head unit software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Ma…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2024-2025 DBX707, 2024-2025 DB12, and 2025 Vantage vehicles. The engine oil cooler hose may split during vehicle operation, resulting in a loss of oil and oil pressure.
The risk: A sudden loss of oil and oil pressure could lead to the engine stalling or seizing, increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2024. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-03-1973.
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2024-2025 DB12, 2025 Vantage, and 2025 DBX707 vehicles. The rearview camera image may be obstructed by the infotainment home screen menu when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An obstructed rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: The head unit software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Ma…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Aston Martin DB12 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin DB12 has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. 1,162.1 complaints/year for the Ford F-150). In practice, the DB12's lower complaint volume suggests fewer owner-reported problems, but its four recalls still require attention. The F-150's much higher complaint rate means buyers should expect more frequent repair visits and should prioritize recall checks and transmission inspections.
Key differences
- The DB12 has 0 complaints over 3 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162.1 per year.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports; the DB12 has 4 recalls and 0 crash-related reports.
- F-150 owners report specific power train failures like limp mode, stuck 5th gear, and lead frame issues; the DB12 has no owner complaint text on record.
- F-150 complaints include a rear window defroster short that can shatter the back glass; the DB12 recalls involve engine oil pipes and back-over display function.
- Check for oil leaks or weeping around engine oil/lubrication pipes, hoses, and fittings, and confirm the related recall was performed.
- Test the back-over prevention display and rearview camera to ensure the image appears correctly, and verify that recall remedy was completed.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners report with lead frame and output speed sensor failures.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or shattering, and confirm any related recall was addressed.
Before you buy
- Ask for the VIN and check NHTSA.gov for open recalls on both vehicles; ensure all recall remedies are completed.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan the transmission and electrical systems for stored codes, especially lead frame or output speed sensor faults.
- For the DB12, inspect engine oil lines and hoses for leaks, and test the back-over camera display.
- On the F-150, test the rear window defroster and inspect the back glass for cracks or shattering.
- Request a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist familiar with the specific model, and review any available service records.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Aston Martin DB12 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Aston Martin DB12 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin DB12 vs FORD F 150
- Aston Martin DB12 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Aston Martin DB12 total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Aston Martin DB12 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin DB12
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN