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 1 complaint over 5 years (0.2/year) and 5 recalls, while the Ford has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also has 330 crash-related reports versus 1 for the Audi. 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 Tront GT is a high-performance electric vehicle with very few owner complaints—just 1 over 5 years—but it has 5 recalls, including one for a backup camera. The single complaint describes a dangerous failure where emergency braking, cross-traffic warning, and forward collision warning all failed, leading to a collision in a parking lot. For a buyer, this suggests that while overall complaint volume is low, the advanced driver-assistance systems may not always work as expected, and recall fixes are important to verify.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year, plus 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing recurring transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering. This is a high-volume vehicle with a long list of reported problems, so a used F-150 needs a thorough inspection and recall check.
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 | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 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 E TRON GT
- 01BACK OVER PREVENTION1
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
One owner reported that the rear cross-traffic warning and emergency braking failed to work, causing a collision in a parking lot. This matters because backup cameras and sensors are meant to prevent low-speed crashes, and a failure could lead to expensive body damage or injury.
The same complaint notes that forward collision warning and emergency braking did not function, and the system failed again after the first crash. Buyers should test these features and confirm any related recalls are done, as a non-working system reduces driver assistance.
Recalls cover the onboard charging cable and traction battery, which are critical for electric vehicle operation. While no owner complaints mention these yet, a recall means there could be a risk of charging issues or battery problems that need dealer attention.
A recall involves air brake supply hoses and piping, though this is unusual for a passenger car and may be a data quirk. Still, any brake-related recall should be addressed before purchase to ensure proper stopping 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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, highlighting the safety risk of these recurring faults.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may lead to unexpected failures or costly repairs.
This category includes the rear window shattering incident, which owners say happened without impact. Such failures are unpredictable and could be dangerous if they occur while driving.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting issues are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and may fail safety inspections, so check all lights function correctly.
“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 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 — 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 E TRON GT or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi RS E Tront GT has far fewer complaints per year (0.2) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), but both have recalls and safety-related complaints. In practice, the Audi’s low complaint count suggests fewer reported problems, but the F-150’s huge volume means many owners experience issues, especially with the power train and electrical systems.
Key differences
- The Audi has 1 complaint over 5 years, while the Ford has 11,621 over 10 years—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford owners describe recurring transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss; Audi’s single complaint is about driver-assist systems failing to prevent a collision.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, while the Audi has 5 recalls and 1 crash-related report, indicating different levels of safety-related events.
- Audi’s recalls focus on electric propulsion and charging components, while Ford’s recalls include engine, seat belts, and air bags, reflecting different vehicle technologies.
- Test the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert to ensure they activate properly, as one owner reported total failure of these systems.
- Ask for proof that all 5 recalls—especially those for the traction battery, charging cable, and backup camera—have been completed by a dealer.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or sudden limp mode; these are common complaints and may indicate a failing lead frame or speed sensor.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and check for any electrical oddities like flickering lights or dead accessories.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they are fixed before purchase.
- For the Audi, test all driver-assist features (forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, cross-traffic alert) in a safe area.
- For the Ford, scan for transmission trouble codes and take a long test drive that includes highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Ask for a complete maintenance history, focusing on transmission services for the Ford and software updates for the Audi.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, paying extra attention to the Ford’s transmission and electrical system and the Audi’s battery and charging components.
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 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 1 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
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
- 11,621
- AUDI RS E TRON GT total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI RS E TRON GT avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- 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