Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750E vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 750E 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 750E vs FORD F 150: The BMW 750E has 0 complaints and 4 recalls over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years. The Ford also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750E or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750E
The BMW 750E is a plug-in hybrid luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed with NHTSA over three years, but it has four recalls covering electronic stability control and driver monitoring cameras. In ownership terms, that means you may not hear about repeated failures from other drivers, but you should still verify that recall repairs were completed. The lack of complaint text makes it hard to know what day-to-day problems, if any, owners experience.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of owner complaints—11,621 over ten years—and 151 recalls. The most common complaint areas are the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Owners describe serious issues like transmissions stuck in limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering, so living with this truck can mean frequent repairs and safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 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 750E
No component data available.
Recalls for the ESC system and its control module suggest a risk that the stability control may not work as intended. For a buyer, that means checking whether the recall fixes were done, because a malfunction could affect handling in an emergency.
A recall for the driver monitoring camera and sensor indicates a possible problem with advanced driver-assistance features. If not repaired, systems like driver attention warnings may not function, which matters for safety and for passing inspections.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmissions that go into limp mode, get stuck in 5th gear, and fail due to lead frame or output speed sensor issues. These problems can leave you stranded or cause sudden loss of power, so a pre-purchase transmission check is critical.
Complaints include the same lead frame problem and a rear window defroster short that can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins like these can be expensive to trace and may affect safety and comfort.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a frequent trouble spot, though specific failure details are not provided. Buyers should test all lights and check for recalls or service bulletins related to lighting.
There are 880 engine complaints and multiple engine-related recalls. While the exact symptoms are not detailed here, engine problems can be costly, so a thorough mechanical inspection and recall history check are advised.
“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 750E — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. The ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached correctly, resulting in an i…
The risk: An inoperative hands-on detection system may fail to detect when the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel and therefore not engage the emergency stopping assistant system, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Pleas…
The risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can 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 750E or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 750E has far fewer issues per year—0 complaints annually versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the BMW is likely to need fewer repair visits, but its recalls still require attention. The Ford F-150’s high complaint volume suggests a much higher chance of experiencing recurring problems.
Key differences
- The BMW 750E has 0 complaints and 4 recalls; the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls.
- Ford F-150 owners report severe power train issues like limp mode and stuck gears, while the BMW has no complaint text to indicate such patterns.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported; the BMW has 0 in both categories.
- BMW 750E recalls focus on electronic stability control and driver monitoring cameras; Ford F-150 recalls include engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags.
- Check for open recalls on the electronic stability control and driver monitoring camera—unrepaired recalls could mean safety systems are not working.
- Ask for proof that all four recalls were completed, since no complaints means there is little owner feedback to reveal other issues.
- Test the transmission for shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially if it has the 6-speed automatic or lead frame issues mentioned in complaints.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and verify that any related recalls or service actions were performed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific BMW 750E or Ford F-150 you are considering.
- For the Ford F-150, take a long test drive that includes highway speeds to check for transmission limp mode or stuck gears.
- For the BMW 750E, confirm that the electronic stability control and driver monitoring camera recalls were repaired by a dealer.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the Ford’s transmission and electrical system.
- Request service records to see if the Ford F-150 has had repeated power train or electrical repairs, which could signal ongoing 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 750E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
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 750E or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750E vs FORD F 150
- BMW 750E total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW 750E total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW 750E avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750E
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN