Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 6 Avant vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI RS 6 Avant 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 6 Avant vs FORD F 150: The Audi RS 6 Avant has 7 complaints over 6 years (1.2/year) and 8 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; the Audi reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 6 Avant or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 6 Avant
The Audi RS 6 Avant is a high-performance wagon with very few complaints relative to its production run—just 7 over 6 years. The main pattern is electrical gremlins: owners report central locking failures, sudden power loss at speed, and rear camera problems that recur after repair. With 8 recalls, many for camera and instrument cluster issues, it's a complex car that demands attention to electronics.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. The dominant theme is powertrain trouble—transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and output speed sensor faults—plus electrical and lighting issues. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle where reliability varies widely by year and engine.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 6 Avant | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 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 6 Avant
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER1
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 04STEERING1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report recurring central locking malfunctions where a door won't operate and a warning appears, plus sudden loss of electrical power at highway speed with multiple yellow and red warnings. These can leave you stranded or locked out, and the power loss is alarming while driving.
The rear camera repeatedly fails, often working only some days, and other cameras also fail after replacement. This undermines backing up and parking, and the fix may not last.
Camera failures also affect forward collision avoidance, meaning the system may not warn or brake when needed. Owners report repeated dealer visits without a permanent fix.
The same electrical power loss event can trigger steering warnings, suggesting the steering assist may be affected. This is a serious safety concern if it happens at speed.
“My Audi RS6 has experienced a recurring central locking/door latch malfunction. The vehicle displays a “Central Locking System Malfunction” warning and the affected door does not operate normally. This appears to be a known issue affecting the C8 Audi platfor…”
“Loss of electrical power while cruising on the interstate at 65 mph. There was a series of warning messages, YELLOW colored malfunctions such as "Sport differential malfunction", "electric system malfunction". Then RED colored warning message "Electric system…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe a never-ending lead frame issue that can cause sudden limp mode or gear stuck in 5th, and some report near-collisions. Transmission failures are common, often requiring expensive repairs.
Lead frame problems also show up as electrical faults, and output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode and trouble codes. These can leave the truck undrivable and may recur even after recall software updates.
A reported short in the rear window defroster caused the back window to shatter outward. This is a surprising and dangerous failure that owners may not anticipate.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting issues are frequent, though specific failure details aren't in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and expect potential electrical gremlins.
“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 6 Avant — 8 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90VC.
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 2019-2026 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 2019-2026 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…
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 6 Avant or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 6 Avant has far fewer issues per year (1.2 vs. 1,162.1), but it's a low-volume specialty car. The Ford F-150's much higher rate means you're more likely to encounter problems, especially powertrain and electrical faults that can be costly and dangerous.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Audi RS 6 Avant averages 1.2 per year; Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year.
- Crash/injury data: Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death; Audi RS 6 Avant has 0 in all three.
- Primary failure patterns: Audi RS 6 Avant is dominated by electrical and camera issues; Ford F-150 is dominated by powertrain (transmission/lead frame) and electrical faults.
- Recalls: Audi RS 6 Avant has 8 recalls, many for cameras; Ford F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, latches, and air bags.
- Test the central locking system on every door and watch for any 'Central Locking System Malfunction' warning.
- Check the rear and surround cameras thoroughly—make sure they work consistently, not just intermittently.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes (especially P0722) and test drive for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of electrical shorts or prior window replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Audi RS 6 Avant, have a mechanic test all electrical systems, especially locking, cameras, and power delivery.
- For the Ford F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission operation and stored fault codes.
- Ask for service records to see if recurring issues (cameras on Audi, lead frame/transmission on Ford) have been addressed.
- During test drive, pay attention to any warning messages, limp mode, or unusual electrical behavior.
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 6 Avant | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 1 | 345 |
| 2024 | 2 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5349 |
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 6 Avant or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 6 Avant vs FORD F 150
- AUDI RS 6 Avant total complaints
- 7
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI RS 6 Avant total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI RS 6 Avant avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 6 Avant
- AUDI RS 6 Avant top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN