Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335I vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 335I 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
BMW 335I vs FORD F 150: The BMW 335I averaged 27.5 complaints per year over 10 years, with 32 recalls and 14 crash-related reports. The Ford F 150 averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year, with 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. Both have serious safety issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335I or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335I
The BMW 335I is a sport sedan that demands attentive ownership. Over 10 years, it averaged 27.5 complaints per year, with air bags and engine issues leading the list. Owners report sudden stalling, coolant pump draining the battery, and even steering loss. Recalls cover air bags, fuel pump, and lighting, so check for open recalls before buying.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 1,162.1 per year over 10 years. Power train and electrical problems dominate, including transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Recalls address engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags. The sheer number of reports means many trucks have known unresolved issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 275 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 27.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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.
BMW 335I
- 01AIR BAGS81
- 02ENGINE79
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM51
- 04POWER TRAIN32
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM29
Owners report air bags failing to deploy in crashes, and one complaint describes steering wheel detachment after impact. Another mentions erroneous recall notices for steering failure. These are serious safety concerns that could affect crash protection.
Complaints include stalling at speed, such as at 50 mph, leaving the car blocking traffic. A separate issue is the coolant pump running after shutdown until the battery drains. Both can strand a driver and lead to costly repairs.
The coolant pump draining the battery is also reported here, along with total electrical failure where the dashboard goes black and the engine shuts down. This can happen while driving, creating a dangerous loss of power.
Owners report valve cover and rear axle leaks at low mileage, plus power steering problems. These premature failures suggest maintenance costs may be higher than expected for a used 335I.
“SUBJECT: Catastrophic Steering Failure and Erroneous Safety Recall Notification - 2014 BMW 335i 105,000 milles INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: While driving, the vehicle completely lost steering control. The electronic steering rack disengaged due to a failure in the a…”
“The car Hydroplaned while driving on the interstate, spun out of control and slammed into a tree in the rear end. My son was going approximately 65 mph and upon impact no airbags deployed and the steering wheel was in his hands after impact. His seat broke an…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission limp mode, often stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. A 2017 model had recurring limp mode due to an output speed sensor. These issues can leave you stranded or worse.
Lead frame problems also appear here, along with a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to repeated shop visits.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster. This is a rare but alarming event that could cause injury or costly glass replacement.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting issues are frequent, though specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and expect potential bulb or housing 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.
BMW 335I — 32 recalls
The defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehic…
The risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.c…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 4…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
The fix: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehic…
The risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.c…
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
BMW 335I or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 335I has far fewer complaints per year (27.5 vs. 1,162.1), but both have serious safety-related reports. In practice, the Ford F 150 generates many more owner complaints, while the BMW's lower volume still includes stalling and air bag concerns. Neither is trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Ford F 150 has over 400 times more complaints per year than the BMW 335I, but the BMW still has 14 crash-related reports and 8 injuries.
- BMW 335I owners report stalling and coolant pump battery drain; Ford F 150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The BMW 335I has 32 recalls, including air bag and fuel pump issues; the Ford F 150 has 151 recalls, covering engine, seat belts, and door latches.
- Air bag complaints are the top category for the BMW 335I (81), while power train complaints dominate the Ford F 150 (3,648).
- Check for open recalls on air bags and fuel pump, as owners report non-deployment and stalling.
- Test the coolant pump behavior after shutdown and listen for unusual noises, as it can drain the battery.
- Scan for transmission codes like P0722 and test for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially in 2017 models.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of shattering or electrical shorts.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model's common issues.
- For the BMW 335I, check service records for coolant pump, steering, and air bag repairs.
- For the Ford F 150, test drive extensively to feel for transmission slipping or limp mode.
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if major components like the transmission or engine have been replaced.
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 | BMW 335I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 BMW 335I or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the BMW 335I inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 335I total complaints
- 275
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 335I total recalls
- 32
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 335I avg complaints/year
- 27.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335I
- BMW 335I top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN