Head-to-head reliability
Bentley Arnage vs FORD F 150
How the Bentley Arnage 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
Bentley Arnage vs FORD F 150: The Arnage has 5 complaints over 10 years (0.5/year) and 16 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and electrical shorts; Arnage owners report suspension ball joint wear. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Bentley Arnage or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Bentley Arnage
The Bentley Arnage is a low-volume luxury car, so it sees very few complaints per year—about 0.5 over the past decade. Owners mainly report front suspension problems, especially lower ball joints that cause the car to go out of alignment. Recalls cover fuel hoses, brake hoses, and the fuel pump, so check for open recall work. With only 5 complaints total, the data is thin, but the pattern points to age-related wear in critical systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with about 1,162 complaints per year, mostly about the powertrain and electrical system. Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. Electrical issues include rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass. Recalls address engines, seat belts, door latches, and airbag inflators, so verify all recall repairs are done.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Bentley Arnage | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 99 | 1 Better |
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.
Bentley Arnage
- 01SUSPENSION3
- 02TIRES1
- 03ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
Owners of the 2005 Arnage report the vehicle going out of alignment, traced to a front lower ball joint that needs replacement. This matters because a worn ball joint can affect steering and tire wear, and it is a safety-critical part.
One owner complaint describes ZR-rated tires as defective and useless, with a confusing note about shrapnel and tetanus. While the text is unclear, it suggests tire quality or durability concerns that a buyer should inspect closely.
A single complaint mentions ESC, but no specific failure detail is given. Even so, any ESC issue can affect stability control, so a pre-purchase scan for fault codes is wise.
“The contact owns a 2005 Bentley Arnage. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front suspension lower ball joint needed to be re…”
“The contact owns a 2005 Bentley Arnage. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the front suspension lower ball joint needed to be re…”
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, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. One owner said the lead frame issue nearly ended their life, and another described daily limp mode on a 2017 V8 with the 6-speed automatic.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting electrical signals, plus a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward and shatter. Another owner reported an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) that triggered highway limp mode.
One owner described the rear window defroster short leading to the back window shattering within minutes of use. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning and create flying glass.
This is a top complaint category with 1,224 reports, though no sample text is provided. Buyers should check all lights and wiring for intermittent faults, as lighting failures 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.
Bentley Arnage — 16 recalls
The defect: BENTLEY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 ARNAGER, ARNAGET, ARNAGE RL, BROOKLANDS, AND AZURE VEHICLES. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE "B" HOOD ORNAMENT'S RETRACTING MECHANISM TO BECOME CORRODED. THIS MAY LEAD TO THE "B" HOOD ORNAMENT NOT RETRACTING AS INTENDED WHEN A VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A…
The risk: IF THE HOOD ORNAMENT DOES NOT RETRACT, IT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND THE PEDESTRIAN.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETRACTABLE "B" MECHANISM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENTLEY AT 1-617-488-8500.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSES WERE INSTALLED IN SOME OF THESE VEHICLES. THE POSITION OF THE CRIMP SECURING THE RUBBER HOSE MATERIAL TO THE STEEL QUICK RELEASE CONNECTION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPER. IF THE CRIMP IS NOT PROPERLY POSITION, FUEL…
The risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, THIS FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FEED AND RETURN HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME S…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIMOUSINES, THE LOW PRESSURE BRAKE FLUID FEED PIPE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REMOTE RESERVOIR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO TRAP OR RETAIN AIR.
The risk: THIS AIR COULD ENTER THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL AND PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY CIRCUIT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH HOSES AND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE…
The defect: CERTAIN BENTLEY AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP NOISE REDUCTION KITS, P/NOS PF59918PA AND PF59918PB, SUITABLE FOR USE ON 2000-2002 MY BENTLEY ARNAGE RED LABEL VEHICLES AND 2001 MY BENTLEY ARNAGE LE MANS AND LWB VEHICLES. THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET HOSE CAN FRACTURE UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN A…
The risk: A FUEL LEAK, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: BENTLEY WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND WILL INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED BENTLEY DEALER FOR FREE REPAIR. THE RECALL BEGAN FEBRUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BENTLEY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800…
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
Bentley Arnage or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Bentley Arnage has far fewer issues per year—about 0.5 complaints annually versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, the F-150’s higher volume means more reported problems, especially with transmissions and electrical systems, while the Arnage’s low complaint count may reflect limited data rather than flawless reliability. The difference means a used F-150 buyer should expect more frequent repair visits, while an Arnage buyer should focus on age-related wear in suspension and fuel/brake lines.
Key differences
- The Arnage has 5 complaints over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621—mostly about powertrain and electrical issues.
- Arnage owners report front suspension ball joint wear causing misalignment; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, versus 1 crash-related and 3 injuries for the Arnage.
- Recalls differ: Arnage recalls cover fuel hoses, brake hoses, and fuel pump; F-150 recalls cover engines, seat belts, door latches, and airbag inflators.
- Check the front suspension lower ball joints for play or wear, as owners report misalignment tied to this part.
- Inspect fuel and brake hoses for cracks or leaks, since recalls cover these lines and age can make them brittle.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, delayed engagement, or getting stuck in gear, especially on 2017 V8 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Check the rear window defroster for shorts and inspect the back glass for cracks, as one owner reported the window exploding outward.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm all recalls are repaired, especially fuel/brake hoses on the Arnage and engine/airbag recalls on the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Arnage’s front suspension ball joints and all rubber hoses for age-related cracking.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- On the F-150, operate the rear defroster and inspect the back window for any signs of shorting or stress cracks.
- Obtain a full pre-purchase inspection report and ask for service records showing transmission or electrical repairs.
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 Bentley Arnage or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Bentley Arnage vs FORD F 150
- Bentley Arnage total complaints
- 5
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Bentley Arnage total recalls
- 16
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Bentley Arnage avg complaints/year
- 0.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Bentley Arnage
- Bentley Arnage top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN