Head-to-head reliability
BMW 740il vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 740il 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 740il vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 46 complaints over 2 years (23/yr) with electrical and cooling issues, while the F-150 has 10,861 complaints over 10 years (1,086/yr) with major transmission failures. The F-150's problems are more severe and frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 740il or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 740il
The BMW 740il is a luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, demands attention. With 46 complaints over two years, the pattern points to electrical gremlins, cooling system weaknesses, and airbag sensor issues. Owners report pixel loss in the instrument cluster, random engine shutdowns, and coolant leaks from cracked plastic parts. It's a car that can be rewarding to drive but requires vigilance and potentially costly repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a workhorse pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over a thousand per year. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, with owners describing hard shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden failures. Electrical problems and exterior lighting issues also appear frequently. While the F-150 is popular and capable, its transmission troubles are a significant concern for buyers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 740il | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 46 Better | 10,861 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 23.0 Better | 1086.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 286 |
| 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 740il
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
- 03AIR BAGS6
- 04POWER TRAIN5
- 05TIRES5
Owners report missing pixels in the instrument cluster, making it hard to read the odometer and warnings. More seriously, some describe the car dying while stopped or driving, entering failsafe mode, and blowing brake light bulbs and fuses.
Coolant leaks are common, often from a cracked plastic radiator reservoir or separate coolant tank. This leads to overheating and repeated low-coolant warnings, even when the level is fine.
The airbag warning light frequently comes on due to a suspected passenger seat sensor failure. In one case, a side airbag deployed unexpectedly after hitting debris, tearing loose interior trim.
Transmission problems include a clicking noise and failure to accelerate in reverse, as well as intermittent inability to shift into reverse. The check engine light may illuminate.
“THE PROBLEM AREAS OF MISSING PIXELS ARE PRIMARILY LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT DISPLAYS ODOMETER & TRIP ODOMETER, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE , AND CHECK CONTROL DISPLAY, SUCH AS WARNINGS/PARKING BRAKE/COOLANT TEMPERATURE /LEVEL/ KEY & SEAT BELT RE…”
“PURCHASED PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR IN APRIL 06, STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS: WINDOW MOTORS, GPS SYSTEM/MONITOR, CAR KEPT DYEING WHILE STOPPED AND DRIVING, ENGINE SHUTDOWN/FAILSAFE MODE, BRAKE LIGHTS BLOWING ALL THE TIME, FUSES AND IGNITION…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,363
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,019
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,374
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,122
- 05ENGINE803
The 10R80 10-speed transmission is a major trouble spot. Owners report delayed or hard shifting, a wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode. Some describe complete transmission failure at highway speeds, which is a serious safety risk.
Electrical issues often accompany transmission problems, with warning lights and sudden loss of signal. Some owners also report problems with the infotainment or other electronic components.
The OEM LED headlights may not adjust properly, causing excessive glare for oncoming drivers. This is a safety concern and can be annoying for other road users.
While not as prominent as transmission issues, engine problems exist, including potential failures that may lead to stalling or loss of power.
“The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…”
“Subject: Safety Defect Complaint – Sudden 10R80 Transmission Failure in 2018 Ford F-150 Dear NHTSA, I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. The transmission failed completely at on…”
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 740il — 4 recalls
The defect: FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
The defect: FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES…
The risk: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND…
FORD F 150 — 144 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 740il or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 740il has far fewer complaints per year (23 vs. 1086), but that's partly due to lower sales volume. In practice, the BMW's issues are more about electrical and cooling niggles, while the F-150's transmission failures are more severe and potentially dangerous. Neither is trouble-free, but the F-150's problems are more likely to leave you stranded.
Key differences
- The BMW 740il has electrical gremlins like pixel loss and random shutdowns, while the F-150's main issue is the 10-speed transmission failing.
- The BMW's coolant system is prone to cracking plastic parts, leading to overheating; the F-150 has headlight adjustment problems causing glare.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate (1086/yr vs 23/yr), but that's partly due to higher sales volume.
- The BMW has airbag sensor issues that trigger warning lights; the F-150 has recalls for airbag inflators and seat belt pretensioners.
- Check the instrument cluster for missing pixels and test all electrical functions, including windows and GPS.
- Inspect the coolant reservoir and tank for cracks, and look for signs of overheating or coolant leaks.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: drive at various speeds, check for hard shifts, and see if the wrench light comes on.
- Check the headlights for proper adjustment and aim, and look for any warning lights on the dash.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: have a mechanic inspect the cooling system, especially the plastic reservoir and tank, and check for any electrical fault codes.
- For the BMW: verify that the airbag warning light is off and the seat sensors work properly.
- For the F-150: take a long test drive including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission issues.
- For the F-150: check the vehicle's recall status and ensure any transmission-related recalls have been performed.
- For both: get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic who knows these models.
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 740il or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 740il vs FORD F 150
- BMW 740il total complaints
- 46
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 10,861
- BMW 740il total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- BMW 740il avg complaints/year
- 23.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1086.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 740il
- BMW 740il top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN