Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin DB9 vs FORD F 150
How the Aston Martin DB9 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 DB9 vs FORD F 150: The DB9 averages 0.9 complaints per year with 39 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, versus 0 and 1 for the DB9. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin DB9 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin DB9
The Aston Martin DB9 is a low-volume luxury sports car, so it sees very few complaints per year—about 0.9—but that doesn't mean it's trouble-free. Owners report odd electrical gremlins like the key being ejected from the dash and the car shutting off, plus stalling that won't restart for minutes. With 39 recalls over a decade, you'll want to verify all recall work is done, especially for transmission control and seat heaters.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year, so problems are far more common in absolute terms. The dominant theme is transmission trouble—trucks going into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or failing to shift—often linked to the lead frame or output speed sensor. Electrical issues and rear-window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass also appear in owner reports.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin DB9 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 39 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 DB9
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
- 03FUEL SYSTEM2
- 04GASOLINE2
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners describe the key being spat out of the dashboard's spring-loaded chamber while driving, shutting the car off, and also stalling at low speeds with no restart for several minutes. These failures can leave you stranded or create a sudden loss of power on the road.
Reports include both headlights failing (not just bulbs) and rear tail light covers fogging with moisture, causing intermittent brake light failure. Fogged or failed lights reduce visibility and can lead to electrical gremlins if moisture reaches the connectors.
Owners complain of a strong fuel smell during acceleration that dealers sometimes attribute to the clutch, plus stalling that won't restart. A persistent fuel odor is a safety concern and can indicate a leak or vapor issue that's hard to diagnose.
While fewer complaints appear here, the stalling incidents often involve the engine shutting off without warning. Any engine stall at speed is a serious hazard, and the lack of stored fault codes makes diagnosis frustrating for owners.
“THIS CAR HAS A SPRING COMPRESSION CHAMBER WHERE THE KEY GOES IN THE DASHBOARD . TWICE OVER THE LAST 6 YRS THE CHAMBER HAS SPIT THE KEY OUT LIKE A BULLET AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONCE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN 2017 AND AT A GAS STATION IN 2023. THE CHAM…”
“THE CAR STALLED AT A FEW MPH AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE. THE INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO PALM BEACH MOTORS. THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW A FAULT AND THEY C…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission malfunction: trucks go into limp mode, get stuck in 5th gear, or fail to shift, often tied to the lead frame or output speed sensor. This can happen daily and may require a new lead frame or software update to fix.
Owners report the same lead frame issue causing electrical faults, plus other electrical glitches. A failed output speed sensor can trigger limp mode, and some trucks need repeated repairs even after recall software is applied.
A notable complaint is the rear window defroster shorting and causing the back glass to shatter outward. This is a sudden, dangerous failure that can happen without warning and may not be covered after warranty.
Lighting complaints are common, though less detailed in the sample. Given the high volume, buyers should check all lights for intermittent failures, as electrical issues can affect multiple systems.
“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 DB9 — 39 recalls
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 DB9, 2010-2012 DBS, 2010-2016 V8 Vantage, 2012 Virage, 2010-2016 Rapide, 2014-2016 Vanquish, 2011-2016 V12 Vantage, and 2012-2013 V12 Zagato vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with interior door…
The risk: If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2009-2016 DB9, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2015 Rapide, 2012 Virage, and 2014 Vanquish vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission. A communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Con…
The risk: If the park pawl does not engage and the vehicle is stopped on a slope and exited without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this…
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 DB9, 2010-2012 DBS, 2010-2016 V8 Vantage, 2012 Virage, 2010-2016 Rapide, 2014-2016 Vanquish, 2011-2016 V12 Vantage, and 2012-2013 V12 Zagato vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with interior door…
The risk: If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2009-2016 DB9, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2015 Rapide, 2012 Virage, and 2014 Vanquish vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission. A communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Con…
The risk: If the park pawl does not engage and the vehicle is stopped on a slope and exited without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this…
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 DB9 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin DB9 has far fewer complaints per year (0.9 vs. 1,162.1), but that's partly because so few were built and driven. The Ford F-150's much higher complaint rate means transmission and electrical problems are a regular ownership reality, while the DB9's issues are rarer but can be bizarre and serious when they occur.
Key differences
- The DB9 averages 0.9 complaints per year; the F-150 averages 1,162.1—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- DB9 owners report key ejection from the dash and stalling; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and stuck gears.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries in the data; the DB9 has 0 crash-related and 1 injury.
- Both have many recalls (39 for DB9, 151 for F-150), but the F-150's recalls include engine, seat belts, and air bags, while the DB9's include latches, transmission control, and seat heaters.
- Test the ignition key chamber: insert and remove the key several times, and ask if it has ever ejected or shut off the car while driving.
- Inspect both headlights and rear tail lights for fogging, moisture, or intermittent operation, and check for a strong fuel smell during a test drive.
- During a test drive, accelerate gently and watch for the transmission going into limp mode, sticking in 5th gear, or failing to downshift—common lead frame symptoms.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and look for any cracks or prior shattering; a short can cause the glass to explode outward.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm all recalls are completed, especially transmission control module and seat heater recalls on the DB9, and engine/air bag recalls on the F-150.
- For the DB9, have a specialist inspect the electrical system, ignition key chamber, and fuel system for leaks or stalling history.
- For the F-150, ask for transmission service records and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the reported failure areas.
- Check for any aftermarket fixes or software updates, and verify that the latest recall software (like 26S28 for the F-150) has been applied.
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 DB9 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin DB9 vs FORD F 150
- Aston Martin DB9 total complaints
- 9
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Aston Martin DB9 total recalls
- 39
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Aston Martin DB9 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin DB9
- Aston Martin DB9 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN