Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335xi vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 335xi 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 335xi vs FORD F 150: The BMW 335xi has 0 complaints and 7 recalls over 2 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. The BMW shows far fewer owner-reported problems per year. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335xi or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335xi
The BMW 335xi is a sporty all-wheel-drive sedan with no owner complaints filed over the two years covered. However, it has seven recalls, mostly for driver-side air bag inflators and electrical wiring. That means the main reliability concern is not daily breakdowns but making sure safety recalls were completed. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on recall history and electrical condition.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of owner complaints—over 11,000 in ten years—and 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Owners describe serious issues like transmissions stuck in limp mode, lead frame failures, and even rear windows shattering. This truck can be capable, but it demands careful checking of transmission and electrical health.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335xi | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
BMW 335xi
No component data available.
The BMW 335xi has multiple recalls for the driver-side frontal air bag inflator module. A defective inflator can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Buyers should confirm the recall repair was done.
Recalls for electrical wiring suggest possible problems with wiring harnesses or connections. While no owner complaints describe symptoms, wiring faults can cause intermittent electrical failures, dead batteries, or non-working accessories.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the transmission suddenly going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often daily. Many blame the lead frame, a part that has been problematic for over a decade. This can leave you stranded or cause a dangerous loss of power.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue causing electrical faults, plus a rear window defroster short that can make the back window explode outward. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and expensive to fix.
Some owners report the rear window shattering spontaneously after using the defroster. This is a safety hazard because glass can fly into the cab or onto the road. It is not a common recall item, so inspect the rear window and defroster operation.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and may not always trigger a warning. Check all lights, including brake and turn signals, before buying.
“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 335xi — 7 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 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 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a spor…
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: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 — 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 335xi or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 335xi has far fewer issues per year—0 complaints per year versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the BMW is less likely to leave you dealing with frequent repair visits, but it still has important air bag and wiring recalls. The Ford F-150’s much higher complaint rate reflects widespread transmission and electrical problems that can be costly and dangerous.
Key differences
- The BMW 335xi has 0 owner complaints and 7 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls.
- Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures; the BMW has no owner complaint text on record.
- The BMW’s main safety concern is driver-side air bag inflator recalls; the Ford’s include engine, seat belt, door latch, and passenger air bag recalls.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, while the BMW has 0 in both categories.
- Check if the driver-side air bag inflator recall was completed—ask for paperwork or run the VIN at NHTSA.
- Inspect all electrical wiring and connections for signs of corrosion, splicing, or intermittent faults, since wiring recalls exist.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for the transmission suddenly downshifting or sticking in 5th gear (limp mode).
- Turn on the rear window defroster and inspect the glass for cracks or signs of stress, as some owners report the window shattering.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they were fixed.
- For the Ford F-150, ask for transmission service records and scan for trouble codes like P0722 (output speed sensor).
- For the BMW 335xi, have a mechanic check the air bag system and electrical wiring for any outstanding recall work.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission issues.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic who knows the model’s common problems.
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 335xi or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335xi vs FORD F 150
- BMW 335xi total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 335xi total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 335xi avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335xi
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN