Head-to-head reliability
AUDI E TRON Sportback vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI E TRON Sportback 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
AUDI E TRON Sportback vs FORD F 150: The Audi has 45 complaints over 3 years (15/year) and 4 recalls, with no crashes or injuries. The Ford has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year), 151 recalls, 330 crash-related reports, and 297 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI E TRON Sportback or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI E TRON Sportback
The Audi e-tron Sportback is an electric luxury SUV that has drawn 45 complaints over three years, averaging 15 per year. Most owner reports center on electrical glitches, such as blank instrument displays and high-voltage battery warnings that can cut regenerative braking. There are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in this data, but the electrical and power train complaints suggest that some owners face repeated dealer visits for software and hardware fixes.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has generated 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train issues dominate, with owners describing transmission limp mode, harsh shifting, and a recurring lead frame problem that can cause sudden disengagement. Electrical faults, including a rear window defroster short that shattered a back window, also appear. The data includes 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and one death, so buyers should take these patterns seriously.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI E TRON Sportback | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 45 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 15.0 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.
AUDI E TRON Sportback
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
- 03POWER TRAIN10
- 04ENGINE8
- 05SERVICE BRAKES3
Owners report intermittent blank instrument-cluster displays and high-voltage battery warning lights that can disable regenerative braking. These faults can leave a driver without key information and reduce range, making the car feel unpredictable.
Some owners hear a loud droning or humming noise from the drivetrain that rises with speed, and others experience sudden jerking with the drivetrain disengaging at stops. These symptoms point to internal mechanical or software issues that may require expensive repairs.
Complaints filed under engine often describe the same drivetrain noise or an 'Electrical System Malfunction' message that appears while driving. Because the e-tron is electric, these reports likely reflect misclassified electric-drive faults that can still strand a driver.
A small number of complaints involve brake pedals and linkages, and two recalls address hydraulic brake pedal issues. While rare, brake-related faults are safety-critical and should be checked before purchase.
“I own a 2021 Audi e-tron with approximately 58000 miles. Beginning in March 2026, the vehicle developed intermittent Virtual Cockpit/instrument-cluster problems with blank display. I reported the condition to Audi dealer of Princeton NJ. The vehicle subsequen…”
“While driving my 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige, the high-voltage battery warning light illuminated on the dashboard. At the same time, regenerative braking stopped functioning, resulting in reduced energy recovery and a noticeable decrease in driving ra…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission trouble: trucks stuck in limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or failing to engage due to a faulty lead frame or output speed sensor. Owners describe daily drivability problems and near-collisions, making this the top pre-purchase concern.
Electrical complaints include the same lead frame issue plus a rear window defroster short that caused a back window to shatter. These faults can disable safety systems or create sudden hazards, and they often require dealer software updates or part replacements.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a frequent trouble spot. Owners report lights that fail or behave erratically, which affects visibility and can lead to tickets or crashes if not addressed.
Engine complaints often overlap with power train symptoms, such as limp mode and sensor failures. These issues can leave the truck underpowered or undrivable, and they may recur even after recall repairs.
“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.
AUDI E TRON Sportback — 4 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Audi E-Tron Quattro, 2020-2023 Audi E-Tron Sportback, 2024 Q8 E-Tron, Q8 Sportback E-Tron, SQ8 E-Tron, and SQ8 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The fastener that connects the brake pedal and the brake booster may have been improperly…
The risk: Brake pedal detachment can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the pushrod screw joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recal…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Audi E-Tron Quattro, 2020-2023 Audi E-Tron Sportback, 2024 Q8 E-Tron, Q8 Sportback E-Tron, SQ8 E-Tron, and SQ8 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The fastener that connects the brake pedal and the brake booster may have been improperly…
The risk: Brake pedal detachment can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the pushrod screw joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recal…
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
AUDI E TRON Sportback or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi e-tron Sportback has far fewer complaints per year (15 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150), but its issues tend to be electrical and drivetrain-related. The F-150's much higher volume includes serious power train and electrical faults that have led to crashes and injuries. In practice, the Audi may need fewer shop visits, while the Ford carries a higher risk of recurring, safety-relevant breakdowns.
Key differences
- The Audi averages 15 complaints per year versus about 1,162 for the Ford, a huge gap in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 complaints include 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death; the Audi data shows zero in those categories.
- Audi issues cluster around electrical displays and drivetrain noise, while Ford issues center on transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Ford has 151 recalls over 10 years, including engine, seat belt, door latch, and air bag items; the Audi has 4 recalls, mainly for backup cameras and brake pedals.
- Check for intermittent blank instrument-cluster displays or high-voltage battery warnings during a test drive, as these are common electrical complaints.
- Listen for a loud droning or humming noise from the drivetrain that changes with speed, which owners report as a power train fault.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, especially on 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or shattering, and confirm all electrical recalls have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are completed, especially for the Audi's brake pedal and camera recalls and the Ford's transmission and air bag recalls.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the Audi's electrical system and drivetrain, and the Ford's transmission and lead frame.
- During a test drive, specifically test the Audi's instrument cluster and regenerative braking, and the Ford's transmission through stop-and-go and highway driving.
- Ask the seller for service records showing any software updates or part replacements related to the reported complaints.
- Check for unusual noises: a droning hum in the Audi or a clunk or delayed engagement in the Ford.
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 | AUDI E TRON Sportback | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 41 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 4 | 44 |
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 AUDI E TRON Sportback or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI E TRON Sportback vs FORD F 150
- AUDI E TRON Sportback total complaints
- 45
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI E TRON Sportback total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI E TRON Sportback avg complaints/year
- 15.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI E TRON Sportback
- AUDI E TRON Sportback top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN