Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335is vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 335is 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 335is vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 37 complaints over 5 years (7.4/yr) with engine stalling and airbag errors, while the Ford has 27,552 complaints over 10 years (2,755/yr) including power loss and unintended acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335is or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335is
The BMW 335is is a performance-oriented coupe that, based on owner complaints, demands careful maintenance. The highest complaint area is the engine, with reports of stalling at speed and internal damage from over-revving. Electrical issues include non-functional horns and suspected aftermarket wiring, while airbag problems involve deployment errors after crashes. Owners also report drivetrain malfunctions that trigger limp mode, reducing speed to 40 mph.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume, averaging over 2,700 per year. The most common issues involve the powertrain, including transmission problems like the shifter getting stuck in drive and failing to engage park. Engine complaints often relate to the same park issue, while electrical failures can cause complete loss of power while driving, disabling safety systems. Sudden unintended acceleration and persistent vibrations are also reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335is | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 37 Better | 27,552 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 141 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 762 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.4 Better | 2755.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 714 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 10 |
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 335is
- 01ENGINE13
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04POWER TRAIN7
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
Owners report the engine stalling at highway speeds (e.g., 50 mph uphill) and internal damage from over-revving, with stripped bolts and fault codes like 2A9A. This can leave the car blocking traffic and unable to be pushed.
Complaints include a non-functional horn during a near-accident and suspected non-OEM wiring in the passenger fuse box, which could affect multiple systems. These issues raise concerns about reliability and safety.
After a rear-end collision, the display showed an airbag deployment error, and the vehicle was totaled. Recalls address driver-side frontal inflator modules, indicating a known defect.
The car displays 'Drivetrain Malfunction' and enters limp mode, limiting speed to 40 mph, which is dangerous when merging onto highways. This has occurred multiple times within a year of ownership.
“AS PER BMW, 5140 READ FAULT MEMORY, CONNECTED BATTERY CHARGER FAULT CODE 2A9A,31002A9B, RAN TEST PLAN, UPON INSPECTION, NOTED FRONT BOLT HAD BEEN PULLED FREE AND THREADS STRIPPED, THIS COMMON WITH AN ENGINE OVER REV.(DAMAGING INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS . THIS…”
“AUGUST 6, 2016 - CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 50MPH, JUST WHEN ABOUT TO GO UPHILL. I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER LEAVING THE CAR BLOCKING TRAFFIC WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN IT. ONCE IT STOPS, IT PUTS ITSELF IN PARK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH ASIDE. WE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN9,967
- 02ENGINE4,861
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3,479
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3,210
- 05STRUCTURE1,485
The shifter gets stuck in drive when parking, failing to engage park, which can cause the truck to roll. Also, wastegate issues on turbos are reported, affecting performance.
Engine complaints often mirror the powertrain park issue, with the integrated park module failing to engage park. This is linked to a recall for the park pawl.
Complete loss of power while driving, disabling brakes, steering, airbags, and hazards. This is a critical safety failure. Also, ABS issues after recall service are reported.
Sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, even without pressing the accelerator, and persistent severe shake/vibration after repairs, indicating unresolved issues.
“When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will…”
“My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, ye…”
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 335is — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and ai…
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may cont…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
FORD F 150 — 141 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…
The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Buyer analysis
BMW 335is or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 335is has far fewer complaints per year (7.4 vs. 2,755), but its issues are serious, including stalling and airbag failures. The Ford F-150's sheer volume of complaints, including power loss and unintended acceleration, suggests a higher likelihood of encountering a safety-critical defect. In practice, the BMW may be more predictable if maintained, while the Ford poses greater statistical risk.
Key differences
- The BMW has 37 complaints over 5 years (7.4/yr) vs. Ford's 27,552 over 10 years (2,755/yr).
- BMW's top issue is engine stalling; Ford's top is powertrain park failure and power loss.
- BMW has 2 crash-related complaints; Ford has 762 crash-related, 714 injuries, and 10 deaths.
- BMW's recalls focus on airbag inflators; Ford's recalls cover electrical, engine, and transmission components.
- Check for engine fault codes (e.g., 2A9A) and signs of over-revving or stripped bolts.
- Inspect the passenger-side fuse box for non-OEM wiring that could affect airbags or horn.
- Test the shifter park engagement by pressing the start/stop button while in drive to see if it sticks.
- Check for any history of complete power loss while driving, and verify ABS function after recall repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for recall completion on both vehicles.
- On the BMW, have a mechanic inspect the engine for fault codes and the electrical system for aftermarket wiring.
- On the Ford, test the transmission park function and check for any driveline vibrations.
- Review NHTSA complaint databases for the specific model year you are considering.
- Consider a professional pre-purchase inspection focusing on the top problem areas.
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 335is or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335is vs FORD F 150
- BMW 335is total complaints
- 37
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 27,552
- BMW 335is total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 141
- BMW 335is avg complaints/year
- 7.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 2755.2
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335is
- BMW 335is top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN