Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 5 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI RS 5 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 RS 5 vs FORD F 150: The Audi RS 5 has 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; the RS 5 reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 5 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 5
The Audi RS 5 is a high-performance luxury coupe with very few reported issues over the past decade. Only 2 complaints and 2 recalls appear in the NHTSA data, with no crashes, injuries, or deaths tied to those complaints. The sole owner complaint describes a panoramic sunroof that exploded while driving, which is a rare but serious event. Overall, the data suggests a low volume of reported problems, but the nature of the complaint means buyers should still inspect the sunroof carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive number of owner complaints—over 11,000 in ten years—and 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many reports of transmissions stuck in limp mode or lead frame failures. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, indicating that some issues can have severe consequences. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported problems, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 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 RS 5
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
The only owner complaint in the data describes a panoramic sunroof that exploded for no known reason while driving on the highway. This is a rare but alarming failure that could cause injury or distraction, so buyers should check the sunroof for cracks, leaks, or previous repairs.
“I was driving down the highway and the panoramic sunroof exploded for no known reason.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues often require expensive repairs and can leave the truck undrivable, so a test drive should include checking for harsh shifting or warning lights.
Many complaints involve the lead frame and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode and error codes like P0722. A recall (26S28) addresses some of these, but owners say the problem persists, so verify that any recall work was done and scan for stored codes.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorted and caused the back window to explode outward. This is a safety concern because it can happen without warning, so inspect the rear defroster operation and look for any signs of overheating or prior glass replacement.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a frequent problem area, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should test all lights, including brake, turn, and reverse lamps, and check for moisture or condensation inside the housings.
“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 RS 5 — 2 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecti…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecti…
The risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
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 RS 5 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 5 has far fewer reported issues per year (0.2 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150), but that difference partly reflects lower production volume. In practice, the F-150’s high complaint count means a used buyer is much more likely to encounter a truck with a history of transmission, electrical, or lighting problems. The RS 5’s low count is reassuring, but the one sunroof complaint is severe enough to warrant a specific check.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 5 has only 2 complaints and 2 recalls in 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls—a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions; the Audi RS 5’s only complaint is a sunroof explosion.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, whereas the RS 5 has zero in all three categories.
- Both vehicles have a passenger-side airbag inflator recall, but the F-150 also has recalls for engine, seat belts, and door latches, indicating a broader range of safety-related fixes.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous replacement, since one owner reported it exploding while driving.
- Check for any open recalls on the passenger-side airbag inflator module and confirm the fix was performed.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission suddenly entering limp mode, sticking in 5th gear, or displaying warning lights—common complaints tied to lead frame and output speed sensor failures.
- Test the rear window defroster and inspect the rear glass for any signs of overheating or prior explosion, as one owner reported the window shattering after the defroster shorted.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls (especially airbag inflator and, for the F-150, transmission-related campaigns) have been completed.
- For the Audi RS 5, have a mechanic inspect the sunroof mechanism and glass for any defects or prior repairs.
- For the Ford F-150, scan the computer for stored transmission codes (like P0722) and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Check all exterior lights, including brake, turn, and reverse lamps, and look for moisture inside the housings on the F-150.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs on the F-150, and budget for potential follow-up fixes.
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 RS 5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
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 RS 5 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 5 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI RS 5 total complaints
- 2
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI RS 5 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI RS 5 avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 5
- AUDI RS 5 top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN