Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ6 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI SQ6 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 SQ6 vs FORD F 150: The Audi SQ6 has 5 complaints over 2 years (2.5/year) and 2 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ6 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ6
The Audi SQ6 is a new electric SUV with only two years of complaint data, averaging 2.5 complaints per year. Owners report electrical glitches like an inoperable instrument panel and central locking failures, plus a case where the accelerator stopped working. With no crashes, injuries, or deaths reported, the main concern is electronic reliability rather than physical safety.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running pickup with over 11,000 complaints across ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most common issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with reports of limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering. There are 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death, indicating that some problems can have serious consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 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 SQ6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 04POWER TRAIN1
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report the instrument panel going blank and staying inoperable even after a reboot, and one complaint notes the cluster is designed to intentionally blank out for 30-60 seconds. This means you could lose speed and warning displays while driving, which is a significant distraction and safety concern.
A central locking malfunction left one owner unable to lock the car doors at all, which they felt was a personal safety risk. If the locks fail, you may not be able to secure the vehicle in a hurry.
One owner reported that driver assistance alarms sounded and the accelerator completely stopped working on the highway, forcing them to cut across lanes. This is a rare but severe failure that could leave you without power in traffic.
A complaint mentions a defective SX6 module, a central control unit for electronic, safety, and communication systems, causing multiple critical failures. This suggests that a single electronic fault could disable several key functions at once.
“The contact owns a 2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that after the vehicle performed a system reboot, the instrument panel remained inoperable, and…”
“UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT #11717767: On 2/24/2026, the Audi dealer performed a diagnosis and confirmed in writing on the attached official Repair Order that the vehicle is designed to intentionally blank out the instrument cluster and speedometer for 30-60…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems like limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues can leave you stranded or unable to accelerate properly, and some have been recurring for over a decade.
The same lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with a case where a rear window defroster short caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can lead to unexpected failures like loss of power or shattered glass.
A rear window defroster short caused the back window to explode outward, which the owner attributed to a known issue. This is a startling and potentially dangerous event that could happen without warning.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, especially at night.
“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 SQ6 — 2 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron vehicles. The rearview camera may show a blurry image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A blurry rearview image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace surround view cameras as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contac…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat be…
The risk: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number f…
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 SQ6 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ6 has far fewer complaints per year (2.5 vs. 1,162.1), but it is also much newer with only two years of data. The Ford F-150's higher volume reflects a longer history and a much larger owner base, but it also has documented crashes, injuries, and a death. In practice, the SQ6's issues are mostly electronic annoyances, while the F-150's can be more severe and recurring.
Key differences
- The Audi SQ6 averages 2.5 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, but the F-150 has ten years of data versus two for the SQ6.
- Audi SQ6 complaints center on electrical glitches like a blank instrument panel and central locking failure, with no reported crashes or injuries.
- Ford F-150 complaints often involve power train limp mode and lead frame failures, and the model has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, and air bags, while the SQ6 has 2 recalls for camera and seat belt issues.
- Check the instrument panel and speedometer for any blanking or reboot issues during a test drive, as owners report it can go inoperable.
- Test the central locking system multiple times to ensure all doors lock and unlock reliably, since one owner could not lock the car at all.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially in 2017 and similar model years with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of cracking or shattering, and ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- For the Audi SQ6, have a mechanic scan for electronic fault codes and test all infotainment, instrument cluster, and locking functions.
- For the Ford F-150, specifically ask about transmission service history and whether the lead frame or output speed sensor has been updated.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate conditions that trigger limp mode or electrical glitches.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, as both vehicles have known electronic and mechanical quirks.
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 SQ6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 5 | 345 |
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 SQ6 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ6 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI SQ6 total complaints
- 5
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI SQ6 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI SQ6 avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ6
- AUDI SQ6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN