Head-to-head reliability
BMW 640I vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 640I 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 640I vs FORD F 150: The BMW 640I has 23 complaints over 8 years (2.9/year) and 7 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also reports 297 injuries vs. 2 for the BMW. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 640I or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 640I
The BMW 640I is a luxury coupe with a low complaint rate—about 3 per year over 8 years—but the pattern shows serious electrical and engine shutdowns that can leave you stranded. Owners report the car dying at stoplights and refusing to restart, plus door locks that trap you inside. Recalls cover airbags, fuel pump, and backup camera, so check that all recall work is done. Overall, it's a low-volume car with potentially high-stress failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume—over 1,100 per year for 10 years—and the dominant issue is the power train, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Electrical problems, including rear window explosions and sensor failures, are also common. With 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, this truck has a long history of safety-related defects. It's a high-volume vehicle with widespread, recurring problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 640I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 23 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 640I
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE6
- 03STRUCTURE3
- 04WHEELS3
- 05SERVICE BRAKES2
Owners report the engine shutting off at stoplights and failing to restart, creating a hazard in traffic. One complaint also describes a vehicle fire that started while driving. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or worse.
The electronic auxiliary water pump can fail, triggering 'engine temperature high' warnings and potential overheating. A related recall exists, but owners still report the problem before getting notice. This can lead to costly engine damage if ignored.
Door locks fail so that the doors won't open from inside without using the keyfob or central locking button. Owners describe being trapped, which is dangerous in an emergency. Both doors can fail within months of each other.
Some owners report cracked wheels causing slow tire leaks, and tires blowing out at low mileage due to separation under the rim. These defects can lead to sudden loss of pressure and loss of control.
“ON 9/27/19 I LEFT THE GAS STATION WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OUT OF THE…”
“To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally report a vehicle fire that occurred on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] in Alabama State University. The vehicle involved is a 2012 BMW 640i Coupe (black) with the license plate number [XXX]. The fire started while…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmissions frequently go into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures cause sudden downshifts or near-collisions. Owners describe this as a never-ending issue with no permanent fix. It's the most common and dangerous complaint.
Output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode and code P0722, even after recall software updates. Rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter outward. These electrical gremlins are widespread and safety-related.
The rear window can explode due to a short in the defroster, sending glass outward. This happens without impact and is a serious safety concern. Owners report it occurring shortly after using the defroster.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting issues are common, though specific failure patterns aren't detailed in the sample. Buyers should check all lights, including brake and turn signals, for intermittent failures.
“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 640I — 7 recalls
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 of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BM…
The risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
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 640I or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 640I has far fewer complaints per year (2.9 vs. 1,162.1), but its failures tend to be sudden and immobilizing. The Ford F-150's much higher rate means you're more likely to encounter recurring transmission and electrical problems. In practice, the BMW may be less troublesome overall, but the Ford's issues are more widespread and well-documented.
Key differences
- The BMW 640I averages 2.9 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions; BMW 640I owners report engine shutdowns at stoplights and door locks that trap them inside.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, versus 7 recalls and 2 injuries for the BMW 640I.
- BMW 640I complaints include wheel cracks and tire blowouts; Ford F-150 complaints include rear window explosions and sensor failures.
- Check for any signs of electrical gremlins: ask if the car has ever stalled at a stop or failed to restart, and have the battery and alternator tested.
- Test both door locks from inside—make sure they open without the keyfob or central locking button, as failures can trap you.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode; scan for code P0722 or other transmission codes.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for any signs of shorting or overheating, and ask if the window has ever shattered spontaneously.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles—especially the BMW's fuel pump and airbag recalls and the Ford's transmission software updates.
- For the BMW, have a mechanic inspect the electronic water pump and cooling system, and check for any stored engine codes.
- For the Ford, get a transmission specialist to scan for lead frame and output speed sensor issues, and test drive in stop-and-go traffic.
- On both, verify all door locks, windows, and lights function properly, as electrical complaints are common.
- Ask for complete maintenance records and a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that knows the specific model.
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 640I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 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 640I or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 640I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 640I total complaints
- 23
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 640I total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 640I avg complaints/year
- 2.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 640I
- BMW 640I top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN