Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs FORD F 150
How the Aston Martin V8 Vantage 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 V8 Vantage vs FORD F 150: The Vantage averages 1.1 complaints per year with 29 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The Vantage has fewer reported issues but costly repairs; the F-150 has more widespread problems but better parts availability. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a low-volume sports car with an average of 1.1 complaints per year over the past decade. Owners report recurring issues like water condensation in the lights, sudden stalling, and hydraulic leaks in the transmission. With 29 recalls and only 11 complaints, the main concern is expensive repairs for known design flaws, not frequent breakdowns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year, reflecting its huge popularity. Owners frequently report transmission problems, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it has many more reported issues, though most are addressed through recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin V8 Vantage | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 V8 Vantage
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
- 03POWER TRAIN3
- 04ENGINE3
- 05STRUCTURE1
Owners report that headlights and tail lights trap condensation, which can cause the lights to fail. This is a known design flaw on many Vantages, and replacements may not fix the problem.
Some owners experienced sudden, unexpected stopping or acceleration issues, sometimes requiring a tow. A recall for the accelerator pedal exists, but parts may be unavailable, leaving the problem unresolved.
Hydraulic hoses for the automated manual transmission can rupture or corrode, leaking fluid onto the undercarriage. This can lead to shifting problems and costly repairs.
Complaints include the car abruptly stopping on the freeway, often within the first weeks of ownership. These incidents can be dangerous and may require extensive diagnostics to fix.
“The tail light on my car leaks and condensates - this is a problem with ALL Aston Martin Vantages and DB9's made from 2005 through 2017. The problem is that Aston Martin never had a fix and instead sells defective lights as a replacement when they fail from t…”
“ASTON MARTINS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING CONDENSATION BOTH IN THE HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHTS. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM DUE TO BAD DESIGN AND BUILD YET THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONDENSATION CAN CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT CAUSING P…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission issues, such as getting stuck in 5th gear or entering limp mode. A common culprit is the lead frame, a part that has been problematic for over a decade and can cause sudden loss of power.
Electrical gremlins include the lead frame issue affecting transmission sensors, and rear window defroster shorts that have caused windows to shatter. These faults can lead to safety risks and expensive fixes.
Some complaints involve rear window glass exploding outward, often linked to defroster use. This is a serious safety concern that owners say happens without warning.
While less detailed in the sample, exterior lighting complaints are common, often related to failures that reduce visibility. This can be a safety issue, especially if lights go out while driving.
“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 V8 Vantage — 29 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 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 Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heate…
The risk: If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall beg…
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 DB9 and V8 Vantage, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2012 Rapide, 2014 Rapide S, 2011-2012 V12 Vantage, 2011-2014 V8 Vantage S and 2012 Virage vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the accelerator pedal arm may brea…
The risk: If the accelerator pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assemblies. The recall began on February 11, 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is…
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 V8 Vantage or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage has far fewer complaints per year (1.1 vs. 1,162.1), but both vehicles have notable safety-related issues. The Ford F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, but also more recall activity. In practice, the Vantage may have fewer day-to-day issues, but repairs can be costly; the F-150's issues are more widespread but often addressed through recalls.
Key differences
- The Aston Martin V8 Vantage averages 1.1 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1, reflecting vastly different production volumes and owner reporting rates.
- The Vantage's top complaints are exterior lighting condensation and speed control issues, whereas the F-150's are power train and electrical problems like the lead frame.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 3 crash-related and 3 injuries for the Vantage, indicating a much higher reported safety incident rate for the Ford.
- Both have recalls, but the F-150 has 151 recalls versus 29 for the Vantage, covering issues like seat belts and air bags.
- Check headlights and tail lights for condensation or water buildup, as this can lead to light failure and is a known design flaw.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting and look for hydraulic fluid leaks under the car, especially around the rear transaxle area.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior—any hesitation, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear could indicate a lead frame issue.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of stress, and test the defroster to ensure it doesn't cause the glass to shatter.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the specific model (Aston Martin or Ford F-150).
- For the Vantage, ask about any transmission repairs or hydraulic hose replacements, and check for leaks.
- For the F-150, inquire about lead frame replacement or transmission software updates, and test all electrical features.
- Budget for potential repairs: Aston Martin parts can be expensive and scarce, while Ford parts are more available but issues may be recurring.
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 V8 Vantage | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 V8 Vantage or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage vs FORD F 150
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage total complaints
- 11
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage total recalls
- 29
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage
- Aston Martin V8 Vantage top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN