Head-to-head reliability
BMW 535I vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 535I 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 535I vs FORD F 150: The BMW 535I averaged 41.9 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Ford F 150 averaged 1,162.1, with 151 recalls versus 14. The Ford also had 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries, compared to 14 each for the BMW. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 535I or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 535I
The BMW 535I is a luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 10 years, owners filed 419 complaints, averaging about 42 per year, with 14 recalls and 14 crash-related reports. The most common trouble spots are the engine, tires, electrical system, fuel system, and power train. Many complaints involve sudden engine issues, tire sidewall bubbles, and electrical glitches that can leave you stranded.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of complaints—11,621 over 10 years, or about 1,162 per year—and 151 recalls. The most frequent problems are power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries. Owners often describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical shorts. This volume suggests that many trucks experience recurring, sometimes serious, issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 535I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 419 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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 535I
- 01ENGINE86
- 02TIRES71
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM59
- 05POWER TRAIN53
Owners report engine problems shortly after purchase, such as a car that looked fine but had a failed emissions inspection and engine issues within 200 miles. These can lead to expensive repairs and failed inspections.
Several complaints describe sidewall bubbles on low-mileage tires (under 3,500 miles) and repeated flat-tire warnings without visible damage, forcing owners to replace tires frequently. This is a safety concern and a recurring cost.
Owners report error messages like 'Engine Coolant Level Low' and angle sensor errors that cause irregular communication between modules. These electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may affect multiple systems.
Some owners experienced the engine dying out seconds after starting, requiring a tow to the dealer. This can leave you stranded and points to fuel delivery or propulsion faults.
“Ken Cook <kenecee2021@gmail.com> Sun, Jun 19, 4:10 PM (3 days ago) to nhtsa.webmaster i found car online cr gurus and it was certified and car fax no problems, i used my savings of 5000 for down payment closed the deal and was coming down on weekend to get ve…”
“Recently purchase this vehicle from BMW of Greenwich. Drive it less than 200 miles - the odometer at the time of purchase had 55,000 miles, the engine looked perfect upon visual inspection. The fax report had a failed emissions inspection in the record and a…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues often recur even after repairs.
The same lead frame issue is also filed under electrical system, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can disable the truck unexpectedly.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, due to a short in the defroster. This is a rare but dangerous event that shows potential for sudden glass failure.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though specific owner text is not provided. Given the high count, buyers should check all lights for flickering or failure, which 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 535I — 14 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Saf…
The risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. 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 is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector r…
The risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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 535I or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 535I has far fewer complaints per year (about 42) compared to the Ford F 150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means you are likely to see fewer reported problems with the BMW, but when issues occur they can still be costly. The Ford's much higher complaint rate suggests a greater chance of encountering recurring problems, especially with the power train.
Key differences
- The Ford F 150 has about 28 times more complaints per year than the BMW 535I (1,162 vs. 42), indicating a much higher reported problem rate.
- Ford F 150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions, while BMW 535I owners more often report engine stalling and tire sidewall bubbles.
- The Ford F 150 has 151 recalls versus 14 for the BMW 535I, meaning more safety-related campaigns to track.
- Both vehicles have crash-related reports, but the Ford F 150 has 330 versus 14 for the BMW, and 297 injuries versus 14, though these numbers don't account for the different number of vehicles on the road.
- Check for engine warning lights or stored codes, especially related to emissions or fuel delivery, as owners report engines failing shortly after purchase.
- Inspect tires for sidewall bubbles or uneven wear, and ask for replacement history, since multiple owners had to replace tires within a year.
- Test drive at highway speeds and check for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, as these are common owner complaints.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper operation and look for any signs of electrical shorts, given a report of the rear window exploding.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW 535I for engine, electrical, and fuel system issues, including a scan for fault codes.
- For the Ford F 150, have a transmission specialist check for lead frame and output speed sensor problems, and test all electrical functions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission services on the Ford and tire replacements on the BMW.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate conditions that trigger limp mode or stalling.
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 535I | 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 535I 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 535I 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 535I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 535I total complaints
- 419
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 535I total recalls
- 14
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 535I avg complaints/year
- 41.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 535I
- BMW 535I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN