Head-to-head reliability
AUDI S8 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI S8 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 S8 vs FORD F 150: The Audi S8 shows 7 complaints over 10 years (0.7 per year) and 26 recalls, while the Ford F-150 shows 11,621 complaints (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. Ford reports include 330 crash-related cases, 297 injuries, and 1 death; Audi reports none in those categories. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI S8 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI S8
The Audi S8 is a low-volume luxury sedan, and its NHTSA record over ten years shows only 7 complaints, or about 0.7 per year. The pattern is not one of frequent breakdowns but of sudden electronic and brake-related warnings that can appear together, sometimes with steering misalignment. With 26 recalls but no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in this data, it looks like a car where complex systems may trigger warnings that need prompt attention.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup, and its NHTSA record over ten years shows 11,621 complaints, about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls. Owner reports center on transmission and electrical problems, including limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures, with 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death in this data. That volume means many owners have experienced serious drivability issues, so a used F-150 needs a careful transmission and electrical history check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI S8 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.7 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 S8
- 01POWER TRAIN2
- 02SERVICE BRAKES2
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 04ENGINE1
- 05STEERING1
Owners report multiple warning lights and battery/electrical malfunction messages on startup, sometimes with the steering wheel suddenly off-center. These symptoms can make the car feel unpredictable and may require dealer-level diagnostics.
The same event that triggers power train warnings also appears under service brakes, with owners describing a cluster of system errors and steering misalignment. For a buyer, this means brake-related warnings may not be isolated and should be scanned before purchase.
Complaints describe rapid sequences of electrical and battery malfunction warnings that advise the driver not to drive. This matters because electrical gremlins in a luxury sedan can be costly to trace and may leave the car undrivable until fixed.
One engine complaint repeats the same startup warning pattern seen in electrical and power train reports. It suggests that engine-related messages may appear as part of a broader electronic fault rather than a standalone mechanical failure.
“When started up on 11/17/22, multiple warning lights came on in rapid sequence advising of an electrical system & battery malfunction. Warning was to not drive the vehicle and contact service. I shut off the vehicle and re-started it. The same warnings were d…”
“I STARTED THE CAR LAST FRIDAY, 11/15/2019 AND GOT A BUNCH OF SYSTEM ERRORS POPPING UP ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET TO A SAFE PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL TOTALLY OFF CENTER ABOUT 70 DEGREES COUNTER CLOCKWISE. I AM NOT SURE…”
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, being stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues can affect daily driving and safety, so a pre-purchase transmission check is essential.
Complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, sometimes even after a recall software update. Electrical faults can strand a driver or cause sudden power loss, making a full diagnostic scan important.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward shortly after using the rear defroster, which was linked to a short in the defroster. This is a rare but serious event that a buyer should inspect for, especially on trucks with rear defrosters.
Engine-related complaints appear in the top components, though the sample text focuses on transmission and electrical symptoms. For a buyer, this means engine warnings should be checked alongside transmission history to avoid overlapping drivability problems.
“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 S8 — 26 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8 and S8, 2022 Audi A5 Sportback, A4 Sedan, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, RS6 Avant, A3 Sedan, S5 Sportback, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RSQ8, SQ7, SQ8, and S3 Sedan vehicles. A software error may prevent the rear-view image from initially dis…
The risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment unit parameters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 9, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 91CR.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi custome…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A8 and 2020-2021 Audi S8 vehicles. A missing sealing pin may allow moisture to enter the engine control module connector, possibly causing a control module malfunction.
The risk: An engine control module malfunction may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine control module connector for a missing sealing pin, and install it, if necessary. The connector will also be inspected for corrosion, and replaced as necessary. Repairs will be p…
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 S8 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi S8 has far fewer issues per year, about 0.7 complaints annually versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means an S8 buyer is less likely to encounter a reported problem, while an F-150 buyer faces a much higher chance of transmission or electrical trouble. The difference is not about one being safe and the other unsafe, but about how often owners report serious drivability symptoms.
Key differences
- The Audi S8 has 7 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621, a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures; Audi S8 owners report clusters of electrical and brake warnings, sometimes with steering misalignment.
- The Ford F-150 data includes 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the Audi S8 data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls versus 26 for the Audi S8, and its sample complaints include a rear window shattering linked to a defroster short.
- Check for any history of multiple warning lights on startup, especially electrical, battery, or brake messages, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
- Inspect the steering wheel alignment and ask if it has ever been off-center, since owners reported this alongside brake and power train warnings.
- Test drive for transmission limp mode, delayed engagement, or getting stuck in a gear, and ask for any lead frame or output speed sensor repair records.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation, and ask if the rear window has ever shattered or been replaced due to a defroster short.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full NHTSA recall history for the specific VIN and confirm all recalls, especially transmission and electrical ones, have been completed.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on transmission behavior for the F-150 and electronic warning patterns for the S8.
- Scan the vehicle for stored trouble codes, even if no warning lights are currently on, to catch intermittent electrical or transmission faults.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission, lead frame, or electrical repairs, and verify dates and parts used.
- During a test drive, note any limp mode, rough shifting, warning messages, or steering misalignment, and walk away if symptoms appear.
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 S8 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 S8 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI S8 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI S8 total complaints
- 7
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI S8 total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI S8 avg complaints/year
- 0.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI S8
- AUDI S8 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN