Head-to-head reliability
BMW 5 Series vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 5 Series 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 5 Series vs FORD F 150: The BMW 5 Series has 198 complaints over 10 years (about 20 per year) and 1 recall, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints (over 1,100 per year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death, versus 23 and 0 for the BMW. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 5 Series or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 198 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 20 per year. The most common owner-reported issues involve air bags, electrical system, engine, and seat belts, with 23 crash-related complaints and 23 injuries but no deaths. Living with one means staying alert to air bag cover defects, electrical smoke or failed remote starters, engine noises, and seat belt release problems. It's a car that demands attention to safety-related systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. Power train and electrical issues dominate, with 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. Living with one means being prepared for recurring drivability and safety problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 5 Series | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 198 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 23 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 5 Series
- 01AIR BAGS46
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
- 03ENGINE33
- 04SEAT BELTS29
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER24
Owners report air bag cover edges folding in and enlarging the split between the cover and steering wheel, which could affect deployment. In crashes, some say they were thrown into the door despite air bags. This matters because air bag defects can reduce protection in a collision.
Complaints include heavy white smoke from the vehicle while driving, forcing drivers to pull over, and failed remote starters even after recall notices. These issues can lead to sudden loss of function or fire risk, making electrical checks critical.
Owners describe loud, high-pitched noises from the air conditioning compressor and abnormal rattling from the engine that may signal oil pump assembly failure. Such noises often precede costly repairs, so a pre-purchase inspection should listen for them.
Reports include seat belts failing to detach after being connected, requiring force to release, and passenger restraint failure codes that cost thousands to fix. These problems can trap occupants or disable safety systems, so test every belt.
“We were involved in a car accident. We were traveling through a traffic circle. The other car that was entering the circle failed to yield or even slow down and hit my car. The rear passenger side door was hit. I was driving and thrown into the driver door an…”
“The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the edge of the air bag leather cover was folding in, which enlarged the split between the air bag cover and the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was inspected, and…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These drivability failures happen almost daily for some, making the truck unreliable and potentially dangerous.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue causing electrical faults, output speed sensor failures triggering limp mode, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. Electrical gremlins can strand you or cause sudden safety hazards.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. Such unpredictable failures add to ownership anxiety and repair costs.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category with 1,224 reports. Buyers should check all lights for intermittent failures, as lighting problems 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.
BMW 5 Series — 1 recall
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440…
The risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-741…
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 5 Series or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 5 Series has far fewer issues per year (about 20 complaints annually) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100 annually). In practice, the BMW owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, while the F-150 owner may deal with recurring transmission and electrical problems. However, both have safety-related complaints, so neither is trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus 198 for the BMW 5 Series, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while BMW 5 Series owners more often report air bag cover defects and seat belt release problems.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls compared to 1 for the BMW, indicating a much higher rate of safety-related fixes.
- Both have crash-related complaints and injuries, but the F-150 also has 1 death, highlighting the potential severity of its issues.
- Inspect the air bag cover on the steering wheel for any folding or enlarged gaps, as owners report this defect.
- Test all seat belts to ensure they release properly after buckling, and check for any passenger restraint warning codes.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners report frequently.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as a malfunctioning rear window defroster or intermittent sensor failures, and ask about lead frame repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially the BMW's power train recall and the Ford's many recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific components mentioned in complaints: air bags and seat belts for the BMW; transmission and electrical system for the Ford.
- Test drive the vehicle under various conditions, including highway speeds, to check for limp mode or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly any repairs related to the reported failure areas.
- Verify that all safety systems, including air bags, seat belts, and lights, are functioning correctly before purchase.
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 5 Series | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 18 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 17 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 27 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 15 | 44 |
| 2019 | 39 | 52 |
| 2018 | 79 | 79 |
| 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 5 Series or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 5 Series vs FORD F 150
- BMW 5 Series total complaints
- 198
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 5 Series total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 5 Series avg complaints/year
- 19.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW 5 Series top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN