Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q5 E vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI Q5 E 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 Q5 E vs FORD F 150: The Audi Q5 E has 48 complaints over 5 years (9.6/year) and 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, versus 1 and 1 for the Audi. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q5 E or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q5 E
The Audi Q5 E is a plug-in hybrid SUV that, based on owner complaints, can suffer from sudden electrical and powertrain failures that leave you stranded. Over five years, 48 complaints were filed, averaging about 10 per year, with no recalls. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, engine, and power train, and some owners report catastrophic failures like loss of acceleration or transmission malfunction. While the overall complaint count is low, the severity of individual reports means a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, averaging more than 1,100 per year, plus 151 recalls. The dominant issues are power train and electrical system failures, often related to the lead frame and transmission, which can cause limp mode or sudden loss of power. With 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, these are not just annoyances—they can be dangerous. Buyers should be aware that even with recalls, many owners report recurring problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q5 E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 48 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.6 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.
AUDI Q5 E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 02ENGINE10
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration, gear shifting failure, and flashing interior lights, often while driving. The MMI infotainment system may also fail to load correctly. These failures can leave you stranded and distract you in traffic.
Some owners experienced catastrophic internal engine failure, such as broken connecting rods or cylinder damage, requiring major repairs. Others report ECU malfunctions that cause rough running and shutdown after idling. These are expensive, potentially leaving you with a dead vehicle.
Complaints include complete loss of power and 'Transmission Malfunction' warnings, sometimes during highway merges. The car may become undrivable without warning, posing a serious safety risk.
At least one owner reported the sunroof exploding without warning, which could cause a crash from the sudden noise and distraction. This is a rare but frightening event that buyers should be aware of.
“While driving in the far left of the 405N in Long Beach, the vehicle experienced some catastrophic failure. The accelerator stopped working, gear shifting was not possible, the interior lights turned on and flashed, there was some text instruction on the scre…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Audi Q5 E. The contact stated that when she purchased the vehicle the MMI (Multimedia Interface) system failed to load correctly. The contact stated that the dealer informed her that the system would upload later as the system was not…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is the 'lead frame' issue, causing transmission to go into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or sudden loss of power. Owners describe near-collisions and recurring failures even after repairs. This is a well-known, dangerous defect.
Many electrical complaints also stem from the lead frame, plus issues like output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These can leave you stranded or cause erratic shifting, and some are tied to recalls but still recur.
Owners report rear window defroster shorts leading to the back window shattering outward. This can happen while driving, creating a sudden hazard and costly repair.
With over 1,200 complaints, exterior lighting problems are frequent, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Malfunctioning lights reduce visibility and can lead to accidents or tickets.
“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 Q5 E
No recalls on record.
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 Q5 E or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi Q5 E has far fewer complaints per year (about 10) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Audi's issues tend to be severe when they occur. The Ford's much higher volume means you're more likely to encounter problems, and its recalls and crash-related complaints are extensive. In practice, the Audi may be less likely to leave you stranded overall, but any failure could be catastrophic; the Ford demands more vigilance and maintenance.
Key differences
- The Audi Q5 E has 48 complaints over 5 years with no recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report lead frame and transmission failures causing limp mode or loss of power, often recurring even after recall repairs.
- Audi Q5 E owners report sudden electrical failures, engine block damage, and sunroof explosions, though these are less frequent.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 1 crash-related and 1 injury for the Audi Q5 E.
- Check for any history of electrical glitches: test the MMI system, ensure all lights and dashboard warnings work, and ask if the car has ever lost power or had transmission warnings.
- Inspect the sunroof for cracks or previous replacement, and listen for unusual engine noises or rough idling that could indicate internal damage.
- Ask for proof that the lead frame and transmission have been repaired or replaced, and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or rough shifting.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and check all exterior lights for proper function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the Ford F-150's lead frame and transmission software.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the Audi's electrical system and engine, and the Ford's transmission and lead frame.
- During the test drive, accelerate hard, merge onto a highway, and idle for 30 minutes to check for power loss, rough running, or warning lights.
- For the Audi, test the sunroof operation and inspect for any cracks; for the Ford, test the rear defroster and inspect the rear window.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any major components (engine, transmission) have been replaced or repaired.
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 Q5 E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 7 | 1527 |
| 2021 | 29 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 12 | 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 Q5 E or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q5 E vs FORD F 150
- AUDI Q5 E total complaints
- 48
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI Q5 E total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI Q5 E avg complaints/year
- 9.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q5 E
- AUDI Q5 E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN