Head-to-head reliability
BMW 7 Series vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 7 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 7 Series vs FORD F 150: The BMW 7 Series averages 6.9 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. BMW owners report brake and electrical failures; Ford owners report transmission and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 7 Series or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan with an average of 6.9 complaints per year over the past decade, but zero recalls on record. Owners report serious brake and electrical failures, including sudden stops without brake pedal input and repeated unknown brake failures at low mileage. These issues can be frightening and may require dealer visits, though the low complaint volume suggests problems are less frequent than in some other vehicles.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a staggering 1,162 complaints per year and 151 recalls over the same period. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window explosions. The high volume of complaints and recalls indicates a pattern of recurring safety defects that can leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 7 Series | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 69 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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 7 Series
- 01SERVICE BRAKES22
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
- 05POWER TRAIN8
Owners of 2019 and 2023 7 Series report sudden, unintended braking or failure to brake, sometimes with a 'Drive Carefully - Brake System' warning. One owner experienced the same serious failure twice at 21,000 miles, with the cause still unknown. This matters because brake problems directly affect your ability to stop safely.
Complaints include a 2017 740i with multiple unresolved electrical issues and a 2023 740i with repeated serious failures. Owners describe stopping without notice and other safety concerns. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may lead to expensive dealer visits.
A 2023 760i owner reported that a recall for ESC and brakes had no remedy available, and a 2023 740i owner said the car came to a sudden stop at 10 mph without brake pedal input. ESC failures can cause loss of vehicle control, especially in emergency maneuvers.
One owner reported a panoramic sunroof that blew out while driving, and another cited a starter motor fire risk recall (25V644) with no remedy for months. These unpredictable issues can be dangerous and frustrating, especially when parts are unavailable.
“My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer fo…”
“I pulled my 2019 BMW 740i out of a residential garage and stopped the vehicle. I opened the driver's door and exited the vehicle to enter the code on the exterior garage keypad to close the garage door. After entering the code, I turned around to return to th…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode stuck in 5th gear and lead frame failures that nearly caused collisions. A 2017 F-150 V8 with 6-speed automatic went into limp mode almost daily. These issues can leave you without power or control at highway speeds.
The same lead frame issue affects the electrical system, and a 2017 F-150 entered limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure after a recall software update. Electrical faults can trigger transmission problems and strand you unexpectedly.
A rear window defroster short caused the back window to explode outward, shattering glass. This is a severe safety hazard that can happen without warning, and owners report similar incidents after researching the issue.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, especially at night.
“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 7 Series
No recalls on record.
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 7 Series or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 7 Series has far fewer complaints per year (6.9 vs. 1,162.1) and zero recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 151 recalls and over 11,000 complaints. In practice, the 7 Series owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, but when problems occur they can be serious brake or electrical failures. The F-150's much higher volume means a greater chance of encountering transmission or electrical defects.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW 7 Series averages 6.9 complaints per year; Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported problems.
- Recalls: BMW 7 Series has 0 recalls on record; Ford F-150 has 151 recalls, including engine, seat belts, and air bags.
- Brake vs. transmission: BMW owners report sudden brake failures and ESC issues; Ford owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- Safety outcomes: Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; BMW 7 Series has 3 crash-related and 5 injuries, though these numbers are not adjusted for vehicle population.
- Check for any history of brake system warnings or sudden stops; test the brakes thoroughly and ask for service records related to brake or ESC repairs.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof for cracks or signs of stress, and verify whether the starter motor recall (25V644) has been addressed.
- Test drive the truck at highway speeds and check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or failure to shift; scan for stored codes like P0722 related to output speed sensor.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or previous replacement, and ask if the lead frame has been replaced.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all recall repair documentation for both models.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes and electronics for the BMW, and transmission and electrical systems for the Ford.
- Test drive the BMW at low speeds and during braking to check for unintended braking or warning lights.
- Test drive the Ford F-150 on the highway and in stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission shifting issues or limp mode.
- Verify that any open recalls have been remedied, especially the BMW starter motor recall and Ford lead frame or output speed sensor recalls.
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 7 Series | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 8 | 638 |
| 2023 | 23 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 3 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 5 | 44 |
| 2019 | 4 | 52 |
| 2018 | 8 | 79 |
| 2017 | 12 | 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 7 Series or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 7 Series vs FORD F 150
- BMW 7 Series total complaints
- 69
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 7 Series total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 7 Series avg complaints/year
- 6.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 7 Series
- BMW 7 Series top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN