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 47 complaints over 5 years (9.4/year) and 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The Audi reports severe electrical and transmission failures, while the Ford has widespread transmission and electrical issues. 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 NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint rate of 9.4 per year over five years. However, owners report serious electrical and powertrain failures that can cause sudden power loss and transmission problems, which could be dangerous. There are no recalls on record, but the complaints suggest that some vehicles may experience critical issues even if they are not widespread.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint rate of over 1,100 per year and 145 recalls over ten years. The most common issues involve the transmission and electrical system, with many owners reporting harsh shifting, loss of power, and various electrical glitches. These problems appear frequently and can affect drivability and safety.
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 | 47 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.4 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 287 |
| 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
- 02ENGINE9
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners report catastrophic electrical failures where the accelerator stops working, gear shifting becomes impossible, and interior lights flash. This can leave the vehicle stranded or cause a crash, as one complaint was crash-related.
Complaints include ECU malfunctions leading to cooling system problems, causing the engine to run rough and shut off after idling. This can result in sudden loss of power and potential overheating.
Transmission issues are reported, such as failure to shift properly, slipping, shuddering, and sudden loss of power with a 'Transmission Malfunction' warning. This can happen during merging or driving, increasing crash risk.
Although specific complaints are not detailed, five brake-related complaints suggest potential braking issues that owners should be aware of. Brake problems are critical for safety and should be inspected.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint area, with over 3,500 reports. Owners describe hard shifts, delayed engagement, sudden loss of power, and transmission jerking, often related to the 10-speed automatic. These issues can cause loss of control and have led to crashes.
Over 2,000 complaints include warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission. These electrical glitches can disable safety features and distract the driver.
With over 1,100 complaints, headlight issues are frequent. Recalls also list headlights, indicating potential failures that could reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Over 800 complaints involve engine problems, though specifics are not provided in the sample. Engine issues can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q5 E or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi Q5 E has far fewer complaints per year (9.4) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the Audi's issues tend to be severe electrical and powertrain failures. The Ford's high complaint volume means many owners experience problems, but they may be more varied and sometimes less catastrophic. In practice, the Audi may have fewer but potentially more dangerous incidents, while the Ford may require more frequent repairs.
Key differences
- The Audi Q5 E has 47 complaints over 5 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 over 10 years, showing a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Audi Q5 E complaints often involve sudden power loss and transmission failures that can be catastrophic, whereas Ford F-150 complaints frequently mention harsh shifting and electrical glitches.
- The Ford F-150 has 145 recalls, including for headlights and battery cables, while the Audi Q5 E has no recalls on record.
- The Audi Q5 E has 1 crash-related complaint and 1 injury, while the Ford F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, indicating a much higher reported safety impact.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: test all lights, infotainment, and ensure the accelerator and gear shifting respond correctly during a test drive.
- Listen for transmission noises or rough shifting, and ask if the ECU or cooling system has been serviced, as these are reported failure points.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: look for hard shifts, delays, or shuddering, especially between gears 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8.
- Check all electrical features: cameras, pre-collision assist, and infotainment, and listen for any unusual noises from the transmission or rear suspension.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Ford F-150.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, focusing on the specific complaints for each model.
- During a test drive, simulate various driving conditions: highway merging, stop-and-go traffic, and idling with A/C off to check for engine issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and software updates.
- For the Audi Q5 E, verify that the MMI system loads correctly and check for any warning lights on the dashboard.
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 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 7 | 1507 |
| 2021 | 28 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 12 | 33 |
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
- 47
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- AUDI Q5 E total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- AUDI Q5 E avg complaints/year
- 9.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q5 E
- AUDI Q5 E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN