Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS E TRON GT vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI RS E TRON GT 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 e-tron GT vs Ford F-150: The Audi has 0.2 complaints per year and 5 recalls, but owners report total failure of collision avoidance systems. The Ford has 2,755 complaints per year and 141 recalls, with reports of sudden power loss and unintended acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS E TRON GT or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS E TRON GT
The Audi RS e-tron GT is a low-volume electric performance sedan with very few complaints (0.2 per year), but those complaints reveal a critical safety system failure: the forward collision avoidance and back-over prevention systems can fail entirely, allowing the car to hit objects. Combined with five recalls—including for the traction battery, charging cable, and brake hoses—owners face potential sudden loss of safety features and propulsion issues. It's a car that may be reliable day-to-day but has serious, unpredictable electronic gremlins.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a massive complaint rate (2,755 per year) spanning powertrain, engine, and electrical systems. Owners report the shifter getting stuck in drive, sudden loss of all power while driving (including brakes and steering), and unintended acceleration. With 141 recalls and 10 deaths, the F-150 shows a pattern of dangerous, unpredictable failures that affect core driving functions.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS E TRON GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 27,552 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 141 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 762 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 2755.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 714 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 10 |
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 E TRON GT
- 01BACK OVER PREVENTION1
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
Owners report that the emergency braking, cross-traffic warning, and forward collision warning systems fail completely, allowing the vehicle to hit cross-traffic vehicles in parking lots. The failure can recur after the first collision, meaning the safety systems cannot be relied upon.
Recalls address the traction battery and onboard charging cable, indicating potential fire or charging failure risks. While no owner complaints detail these, the recalls suggest the high-voltage system may have defects.
A recall for brake air supply hoses/fittings points to possible brake system leaks or failures, which could reduce braking performance.
“On [XXX], the vehicles safety systems (emergency braking, cross traffic warning, forward collision warning) failed to function allowing the vehicle to hit a cross traffic vehicle in a parking lot. The safety system failed again after the first collision allow…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN9,967
- 02ENGINE4,861
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3,479
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3,210
- 05STRUCTURE1,485
Owners report the shifter getting stuck in drive when trying to shut off the truck, preventing it from shifting into park. Others describe turbo/wastegate issues on low-mileage trucks, causing loss of power or drivability.
The integrated park module may fail to engage the park pawl, allowing the vehicle to roll. Also, engine-related complaints include the shifter issue and emissions label problems.
Owners report sudden total loss of power while driving, disabling all safety systems (brakes, steering, airbags, hazards). Others note ABS noise after recall service, indicating poor repair quality.
Unintended acceleration at low speed (without pressing the accelerator) and persistent severe shake/vibration after repairs are reported, suggesting unresolved drivetrain or software issues.
“When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will…”
“My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, ye…”
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 E TRON GT — 5 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charg…
The risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated tem…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and E-Tron GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery modules.
The risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will, analyze the battery data and replace the high-voltage battery modules as necessary free of charge. Own…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Audi RS E-Tron GT and Audi E-Tron GT vehicles. The front axle brake hoses can develop tears, causing a leak and a brake circuit failure.
The risk: A failed brake circuit can cause longer brake pedal travel and reduced braking performance, extending the distance required to stop and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front axle brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 6, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 47UP.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 E-TRON GT, and RS E-TRON GT vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module.
The risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install advanced diagnostic software as the final remedy free of charge. For vehicles where on-line data is available (Audi recall number 931A), as an interim measure, the vehicles will be monitored through online data evaluat…
FORD F 150 — 141 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…
The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Buyer analysis
AUDI RS E TRON GT or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi RS e-tron GT has far fewer complaints per year (0.2 vs 2,755), but its safety system failures are critical. The Ford F-150's sheer volume of complaints and multiple fatalities indicate a much higher risk of serious incidents. In practice, the Audi's issues are rare but severe, while the F-150's problems are common and affect basic driving safety.
Key differences
- Audi has 0.2 complaints per year vs Ford's 2,755 per year—a 13,775x difference in complaint rate.
- Audi's failures center on electronic safety aids (collision avoidance, backup camera) that can fail completely; Ford's failures include total power loss, unintended acceleration, and transmission issues.
- Audi has 5 recalls (battery, brakes, camera); Ford has 141 recalls covering powertrain, engine, electrical, and more.
- Ford has 10 deaths and 714 injuries linked to complaints; Audi has 0 deaths and 0 injuries.
- Test all safety systems (forward collision warning, emergency braking, cross-traffic alert) in a safe area to ensure they activate; a failure to respond to obstacles is a known issue.
- Check for open recalls on the traction battery and charging cable; ask the seller for proof of recall completion.
- During a test drive, try to shut off the engine while in Drive with the brake pressed—if the shifter sticks, the park module may be failing.
- Check for any history of sudden power loss or vibration; ask if the integrated trailer brake control or ABS recalls have been performed and if issues persisted.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's VIN and check NHTSA.gov for open recalls on both models.
- For the Audi: test drive at low speed in a parking lot to verify backup camera and cross-traffic alerts work.
- For the Ford: test the park function by shifting to Park and releasing the brake to see if the truck holds.
- Ask for service records: Audi should show recall work for battery and brake hoses; Ford should show recall work for park module and brake booster.
- For the Ford: request a diagnostic scan for any stored codes related to the electrical system or transmission.
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 E TRON GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 9 |
| 2025 | 0 | 320 |
| 2024 | 1 | 597 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1448 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3285 |
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 E TRON GT or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS E TRON GT vs FORD F 150
- AUDI RS E TRON GT total complaints
- 1
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 27,552
- AUDI RS E TRON GT total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 141
- AUDI RS E TRON GT avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 2755.2
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS E TRON GT
- AUDI RS E TRON GT top complaint area
- BACK OVER PREVENTION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN