Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ8 vs FORD F 150
How the AUDI SQ8 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 SQ8 vs FORD F 150: The Audi SQ8 has 6 complaints over 7 years (0.9/year) and 17 recalls, with no reported crashes or injuries. The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year), 151 recalls, 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ8 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ8
The Audi SQ8 is a high-performance luxury SUV with very few complaints filed over seven years, averaging less than one per year. Owners mostly report electrical gremlins, such as door locks trapping people inside and infotainment screens blacking out. There are also a handful of power train complaints about the stop/start system and transmission behavior. With 17 recalls but no reported crashes or injuries in the data, it appears to be a low-volume vehicle with sporadic but potentially serious electrical faults.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume—over 11,000 in ten years, averaging more than 1,100 per year. The most common issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden electrical problems. There are 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death reported. With 151 recalls, this truck has a long history of safety defects that owners say recur even after repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ8 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 6 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 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 SQ8
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 02POWER TRAIN2
- 03LANE DEPARTURE1
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 05SUSPENSION1
Owners report the electronic door handles can lock them inside or outside the car, and the instrument cluster and screens may black out while driving. These failures can leave you unable to exit or see critical information, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints mention the automatic stop/start feature turning off the engine at stops and sometimes failing to restart smoothly, as well as transmission hesitation. This can be frustrating in daily driving and may indicate software or hardware issues.
One owner described safety sensors going off at random and warning systems malfunctioning alongside broader electrical chaos. If these systems false-alert or fail, you may lose trust in the driver aids you paid for.
A single complaint involves the suspension, though details are limited. Any suspension issue in a heavy, high-performance SUV can affect handling and tire wear, so it’s worth a thorough test drive.
“I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the door locking and electrical systems in my 2024 Audi SQ8. On two separate occasions the vehicle experienced a complete electrical malfunction. During the first incident, I and my child were trapped inside th…”
“MMI system stops working all of a sudden. This has happened multiple times and especially when it takes updates on its own. When called customer service they referred to the dealer stating they cannot do anything. Right after my call with them the car starts…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly describe transmission problems: 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 risk of sudden transmission failure at speed.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting electrical signals, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can strand you or cause unpredictable driving behavior.
With over 1,200 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common—likely brake lights, turn signals, or headlights failing. Non-working lights make you less visible and can lead to accidents or tickets.
Engine-related complaints number around 880, though specific patterns aren’t detailed in the sample. Any engine issue in a truck used for towing or hauling can be costly and disruptive.
“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 SQ8 — 17 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.
The risk: A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 692K. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
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 SQ8 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ8 has far fewer issues per year (0.9 complaints/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162 complaints/year). In practice, this means the SQ8 is likely to spend less time in the shop, but its electrical faults can be severe when they occur. The F-150’s huge complaint volume and history of crashes, injuries, and a death suggest a much higher risk of recurring safety problems.
Key differences
- The Audi SQ8 averages 0.9 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 complaints include 330 crash-related incidents, 297 injuries, and 1 death; the Audi SQ8 has zero reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data.
- Audi SQ8 owners describe electrical door locks trapping them inside and screens blacking out; Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 17 for the SQ8, and F-150 recalls include engine, seat belt pretensioner, door latch, and air bag inflator issues.
- Test the electronic door handles from inside and outside to ensure they don’t stick or fail to unlock, as owners report being trapped.
- Check the infotainment screen and instrument cluster for blackouts or flickering, especially after software updates, since multiple owners report sudden failures.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes (especially P0722 for output speed sensor) and ask if the lead frame has been replaced; test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or overheating, as one owner reported the back window shattering after use.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150’s transmission and air bag recalls.
- For the Audi SQ8, test all electrical functions: door locks, windows, infotainment, driver aids, and lights, looking for intermittent failures.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic inspect the transmission, lead frame, and output speed sensor, and check for stored codes.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stops, and reverse to feel for transmission hesitation or limp mode.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically whether the stop/start system (Audi) or transmission software (Ford) has been updated.
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 SQ8 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 2 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 3 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
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 SQ8 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ8 vs FORD F 150
- AUDI SQ8 total complaints
- 6
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- AUDI SQ8 total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- AUDI SQ8 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ8
- AUDI SQ8 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN