Head-to-head reliability
BMW 740li vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 740li 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 740li vs FORD F 150: The BMW 740li has 32 complaints over 6 years (5.3/year) and 5 recalls, while the Ford F 150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, versus 2 and 3 for the BMW. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 740li or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 740li
The BMW 740li is a luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over six years, owners filed 32 complaints, averaging about 5 per year, with engine and power train issues most common. Reported problems include excessive oil consumption, sudden engine shutdown, and transmission failures that can leave the car stuck in gear. These are serious, often expensive repairs that can affect safety and reliability.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of complaints—11,621 over ten years, or about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with many owners reporting transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. Recalls are frequent (151), and there are 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. While some issues are widespread, many have known fixes or recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 740li | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 32 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 740li
- 01ENGINE8
- 02POWER TRAIN7
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, which can lead to engine shutdown while driving. One complaint describes a loud noise and the car shutting off on the highway, creating a serious safety risk.
Transmission problems are common, including failure to shift into park or reverse, and sudden downshifts to first gear while driving. These issues can cause loss of control and expensive repairs.
High-pressure fuel pump failures and drive train malfunction messages are reported, leading to breakdowns and costly repairs. Owners mention spending thousands on fixes.
Electrical gremlins can prevent doors from unlocking via remote or touch, and interior buttons may fail. This can lock owners out or trap them inside, which is both inconvenient and potentially dangerous.
“BMW 750 I XDRIVE 2011 --EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND OR BURNING. THE DESIGN OF THE VALVE STEM SEALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) FIRE HAZARD. 2) PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJU…”
“II WAS ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE LATE NIGHT AROUND 10.30PM WITH MY WIFE GOING SOUTH AND ALL OF SUDDEN WE HEAR LOUD NOISE FROM OUR CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY . I WAS GOING ON 70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS VERY LUCKY THAT T…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission issues are widespread, including limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life.
Electrical problems often involve the lead frame and output speed sensor, triggering limp mode and error codes. A recall (26S28) addresses some cases, but owners report recurring failures even after software updates.
Rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter unexpectedly, as one owner reported. This is a safety hazard and a surprising failure point.
Engine complaints are less frequent than power train but still present, with some owners reporting issues that require repairs. Recalls for engine problems exist, indicating potential defects.
“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 740li — 5 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 201…
The risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 740li or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 740li has far fewer complaints per year (about 5) compared to the Ford F 150 (over 1,100). However, the BMW's issues tend to be severe and expensive, while the Ford's massive complaint volume reflects a much larger number of vehicles on the road. In practice, the BMW may have fewer problems but each one can be costlier, whereas the Ford has more frequent but sometimes recall-covered issues.
Key differences
- Complaint rate: BMW 740li averages 5.3 per year; Ford F 150 averages 1,162.1 per year, but the Ford sells in far higher numbers.
- Crash/injury reports: Ford F 150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; BMW 740li has 2 crash-related and 3 injuries.
- Common failures: BMW 740li suffers engine oil consumption and transmission park issues; Ford F 150 suffers transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- Recalls: Ford F 150 has 151 recalls, many for engine and electrical issues; BMW 740li has 5 recalls, including lighting and power train.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil top-off frequency and looking for blue exhaust smoke.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: ensure it shifts into park and reverse smoothly, and listen for abnormal noises from the front.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission limp mode or stuck gears, especially around 5th gear.
- Inspect the rear window for any signs of stress or previous shattering, and test the defroster for proper function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Ford's lead frame and software updates.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW for oil leaks, transmission operation, and fuel pump health.
- For the Ford, scan for stored trouble codes related to transmission and output speed sensor, and test the rear defroster.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, focusing on transmission and engine repairs.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or shifting problems.
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 740li | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
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 740li or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 740li vs FORD F 150
- BMW 740li total complaints
- 32
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 740li total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 740li avg complaints/year
- 5.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 740li
- BMW 740li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN