Head-to-head reliability
BMW 745I vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 745I 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 745I vs FORD F 150: The BMW 745I has 0 complaints over 4 years and 7 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The Ford also shows 297 injuries and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 745I or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 745I
The BMW 745I is a luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed over four years, but it has seven recalls covering door latches, transmission, and engine cooling. That silence may reflect low sales or owners not reporting, so it is not proof of trouble-free ownership. Buyers should focus on whether recall work was completed, since the listed defects can affect door security and powertrain function.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. Owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. The volume of reports means many trucks have had real, recurring problems, so a pre-purchase inspection is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 745I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 745I
No component data available.
Recalls cover door latch linkages, which can fail to secure or open properly. A buyer should confirm the latch recall was performed, because a door that will not latch is a daily safety and security concern.
A recall covers the automatic transmission, though no owner complaint text is on record. Even without complaints, transmission recall work should be verified, as unresolved issues can lead to rough shifting or loss of drive.
Two recalls address engine and cooling problems. These can cause overheating or stalling if not fixed, so ask for proof the recall repairs were completed before buying.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the truck suddenly entering limp mode and sticking in 5th gear, often tied to lead frame or output speed sensor failures. This can happen on the highway and leaves little power, making it a serious drivability and safety issue.
The same lead frame problem is also filed under electrical system complaints, with owners describing near collisions and repeated repairs. Electrical faults can affect transmission behavior and other systems, so a scan for stored codes is wise.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorted and the back window exploded outward. While rare, this shows how electrical faults can lead to sudden glass breakage, so inspect the rear defroster and window for cracks or prior replacement.
Engine recalls are listed, and engine complaints total 880. Owners do not provide specific engine symptoms in the sample, but the recall history means buyers should check for open engine recalls and any rough running or warning lights.
“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 745I — 7 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
The risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire)…
The risk: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or ent…
The fix: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently…
The risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, A DESYNCHRONIZATION OF THE VALVETRONIC MOTORS FOR ENGINE BANKS I AND II MAY OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE COULD STALL.
The risk: IN THOSE CASES, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS, OR STALLING, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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 745I or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 745I has far fewer issues per year on paper: 0 complaints per year versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the Ford is far more likely to have a documented problem, especially transmission limp mode and electrical faults. The BMW's low complaint count is reassuring but not a guarantee, since recalls still exist.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the BMW 745I has 0 complaints over 4 years, so the Ford has a much higher reported problem rate.
- Ford owners specifically describe transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures, while the BMW has no owner complaint text on record.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries, while the BMW 745I has 0 crash-related reports, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths in the data.
- Both have recalls, but the Ford has 151 recalls versus 7 for the BMW, covering engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags.
- Check for open recalls on the door latches, automatic transmission, and engine cooling, and ask for written proof they were repaired.
- Look for any signs of transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or overheating, since a transmission recall exists even without owner complaints.
- Test drive at highway speed and watch for sudden limp mode, stuck gears, or loss of power, which owners link to lead frame and output speed sensor failures.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or prior replacement, because one owner reported the back window exploded after a defroster short.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific BMW 745I or Ford F-150 you are considering.
- Ask the seller for receipts showing recall repairs were completed, especially transmission and electrical work on the Ford.
- On the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes like P0722 and check for lead frame service history.
- On the BMW 745I, test every door latch and confirm the transmission shifts smoothly during a cold start and highway drive.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop familiar with the model, and budget for potential repairs based on the reported patterns.
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 745I or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 745I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 745I total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 745I total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 745I avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 745I
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN