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 has 419 complaints over 10 years (avg 42/yr) while the F-150 has 11,311 (avg 1,131/yr). BMW issues include engine stalling and tire bubbles; F-150 problems center on transmission hard shifts and electrical warnings. 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, in ownership terms, demands attention to recurring issues. Over 10 years, owners filed 419 complaints, averaging about 42 per year, with the engine, tires, electrical system, and fuel system being the most frequent trouble spots. Complaints describe engine stalling, tire sidewall bubbles, electrical warnings, and fuel system failures, suggesting that while the car offers a refined driving experience, it may require more frequent repairs and vigilance.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck with a much higher complaint volume: 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. The dominant issues are in the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners report for hard shifts, jerking, and even sudden power loss. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. This indicates that while the F-150 is a workhorse, its transmission and electronics can be sources of frustration and safety concerns.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 Better | 287 |
| 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 stalling and dying shortly after starting, sometimes repeatedly, and in one case a vehicle purchased with 55,000 miles failed emissions and had engine issues within 200 miles. This suggests potential fuel or ignition system problems that could leave you stranded.
Several complaints mention sidewall bubbles on low-mileage Continental tires, leading to blowouts and the need for frequent replacements. One owner replaced four tires in less than a year, indicating a possible defect or susceptibility to road hazards.
Warnings for low coolant and 'top off' messages appear even when coolant is adequate, and there are reports of angle sensor errors causing communication issues with modules. These electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
The engine dying out repeatedly after starting is a common theme, with one owner's vehicle stalling within seconds of start-up, requiring towing to a service center. This points to fuel delivery or sensor problems that affect drivability.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 transmission is a major sore point: owners describe hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking between gears, and even sudden loss of power and vehicle shutdown. This can be a safety hazard in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Many owners see persistent warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' every time they start the truck, even after dealer visits. These issues may disable safety features and are annoying to live with.
With over 1,100 complaints, headlight and taillight problems are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Failures can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent than transmission but still notable. Owners report various issues, but the sample text focuses on transmission problems, so engine specifics are less clear. However, any engine trouble in a truck that's often used for work can be disruptive.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing…
The risk: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 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.
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 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
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 (over 1,100), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the BMW's problems are still significant, and the F-150's high volume reflects its popularity and the transmission's widespread issues. In practice, the BMW may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience on average, but both have known reliability concerns.
Key differences
- The BMW 535I has significantly fewer complaints per year (42 vs 1,131), suggesting a lower rate of reported issues.
- The F-150's transmission problems are a dominant theme, with hard shifts and power loss, while the BMW's issues are more varied across engine, tires, and electrical.
- The BMW's tire sidewall bubbles and electrical warnings are specific to that model, whereas the F-150's camera and sensor malfunctions are common.
- The F-150 has more crash-related complaints (328 vs 14) and injuries (287 vs 14), possibly due to its higher usage and the transmission's role in sudden power loss.
- Check for any signs of engine stalling or rough idling, and ask for service records related to fuel system or engine repairs.
- Inspect tires for sidewall bubbles or uneven wear, and ask if the tires have been replaced recently.
- Test drive the F-150 through various speeds to feel for hard shifts or jerking, especially between 4th and 6th gears.
- Check if the dashboard shows any persistent warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available'.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and look for repeated repairs for engine or transmission issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- For the BMW, check the coolant level and look for any warning messages during a test drive.
- For the F-150, drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to assess transmission behavior.
- Check for open recalls and ensure they have been addressed.
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 | 43 |
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.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 535I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 535I total complaints
- 419
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW 535I total recalls
- 14
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW 535I avg complaints/year
- 41.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 535I
- BMW 535I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN