Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ5 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI SQ5 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 SQ5 vs FORD F 150: The Audi SQ5 averages 8.6 complaints per year with 22 recalls, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 4 for the SQ5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ5 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ5
The Audi SQ5 is a performance SUV that averages about 9 complaints per year over the past decade, with 22 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches like the trunk opening on its own or brake lights failing, plus engine coolant leaks and false emergency braking. These issues can be annoying and sometimes costly, but the lower complaint volume suggests fewer chronic problems than the Ford F-150.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive 11,621 complaints over 10 years—about 1,162 per year—and 151 recalls. Owners describe serious transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures, along with electrical gremlins and rear window shattering. The sheer volume of complaints and high crash/injury counts indicate a vehicle with widespread, recurring safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 86 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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 SQ5
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 02ENGINE18
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE15
- 04POWER TRAIN11
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
Owners report the trunk lid opening by itself while driving, which can spill cargo onto the road, and rear brake lights failing due to a faulty control module. These glitches are dangerous because they can cause sudden distractions or make your brake lights invisible to other drivers.
Complaints include coolant leaks from the water pump and hoses, and in some cases engine tapping noises that lead to piston damage. A leaking water pump can cause overheating and expensive engine repairs if not caught early.
The Audi Pre Sense system sometimes triggers randomly when there is no obstacle, abruptly braking, tightening the seatbelt, and even shutting off the car in traffic. This false activation can startle you and increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
Reports include sudden failure of the rear CV axle/driveshaft, causing a loud pop and total loss of power, as well as water pump issues that can lead to engine damage. A broken axle while driving is a serious safety hazard.
“THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY…”
“The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rea…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, especially the lead frame issue that causes limp mode, stuck gears, and sudden loss of power. Owners describe near-misses and daily transmission malfunctions, making this a critical reliability concern.
Many electrical complaints also stem from the lead frame, plus issues like output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These faults can leave you stranded or cause unpredictable shifting.
Some owners report the rear window shattering spontaneously, often after using the defroster, due to a short in the defroster grid. This is a shocking and potentially injurious event.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting frequent bulb or housing failures that can affect visibility and safety.
“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 SQ5 — 22 recalls
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 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, caus…
The risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 4…
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 SQ5 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ5 has far fewer complaints per year (8.6 vs. 1,162.1) and fewer recalls (22 vs. 151), meaning you are less likely to face constant repair visits. However, the Ford F-150’s issues are more severe and widespread, with many safety-related failures. In practice, the SQ5 demands less frequent attention, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 1,100 complaints per year on average, while the Audi SQ5 has under 9—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss, whereas Audi SQ5 complaints center on electrical glitches and coolant leaks.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 4 crashes and 7 injuries for the SQ5, indicating more severe safety consequences.
- Both have recalls, but the F-150’s 151 recalls versus 22 for the SQ5 suggests broader chronic defects across many systems.
- Check for any history of trunk lid opening on its own or brake light failures—test the trunk release and brake lights thoroughly.
- Inspect the water pump and coolant hoses for leaks, and listen for engine tapping noises that could indicate piston damage.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster for proper function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- For the Audi SQ5, have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, water pump, and forward collision sensors.
- For the Ford F-150, insist on a transmission diagnostic and a test drive that includes highway speeds and gear changes.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or software updates on the F-150.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a brand-specific specialist to uncover hidden issues.
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 SQ5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 35 |
| 2025 | 7 | 345 |
| 2024 | 6 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 13 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 8 | 44 |
| 2019 | 19 | 52 |
| 2018 | 24 | 79 |
| 2017 | 5 | 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 SQ5 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ5 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI SQ5 total complaints
- 86
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI SQ5 total recalls
- 22
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI SQ5 avg complaints/year
- 8.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ5
- AUDI SQ5 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN