Head-to-head reliability
BMW 760li vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 760li 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 760li vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 3 complaints over 10 years (0.3/yr) and 19 recalls, while the Ford has 11,311 complaints (1,131/yr) and 145 recalls. Ford owners report transmission failures and electrical issues, while BMW owners face engine oil and pump problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 760li or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 760li
The BMW 760li is a high-end luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, demands attention to maintenance and repair costs. Over a decade, owners report few complaints (3 total), but those complaints highlight serious engine oil consumption, auxiliary water pump failure, and fuel pump issues, suggesting that when problems occur, they can be costly and potentially safety-relevant. The low complaint rate may reflect low sales volume or owners not reporting, but the nature of the issues points to a vehicle that needs meticulous upkeep.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a high volume of complaints (11,311 over 10 years), reflecting its widespread use. Owners frequently report transmission problems, especially hard shifting and loss of power, along with electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. The high number of complaints and recalls indicates a pattern of reliability issues that could affect daily driving and safety, making it a vehicle to approach with caution and thorough inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 760li | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 287 |
| 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 760li
- 01ENGINE1
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, linked to valve stem seal design, which can lead to fire hazard and property damage. This is a serious issue that may require costly engine repairs.
The electric auxiliary water pump can fail, and BMW has refused to honor a recall for it, leaving owners to pay for repairs. This can cause overheating and potential engine damage.
High fuel pump and plug issues trigger 'drive train malfunction' messages, leading to breakdowns and expensive repairs, with one owner spending over $3,500 in a year.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Transmission problems are rampant, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even loss of power, especially in the 10R80 automatic. This can be dangerous in traffic and often requires transmission service or replacement.
Owners report various electrical issues, including loud bangs from the transmission area and popping sounds from the rear suspension, as well as persistent warnings for front camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, which may indicate sensor or wiring problems.
Headlight issues are common, with many complaints and recalls, potentially affecting visibility and safety at night.
Engine problems are also reported, though less frequently than transmission and electrical, but they can be severe and costly.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 760li — 19 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Co…
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notif…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Co…
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notif…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 BMW 760Li vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) may have been programmed with incompatible software during a service visit, possibly causing the engine to stall.
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: All affected vehicles have been repaired by programming the ECU with the correct software. Therefore, owner letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
BMW 760li or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 760li has far fewer complaints per year (0.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the BMW's issues are more severe and costly when they occur. In practice, the F-150's high complaint rate indicates a higher likelihood of encountering problems, but the BMW's low rate may be misleading due to lower sales volume.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW has 3 complaints over 10 years, while Ford has 11,311, a massive difference in reported issues.
- Transmission: Ford owners frequently report hard shifts and loss of power, while BMW owners report water pump and fuel pump failures.
- Safety incidents: Ford has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, while BMW has none, indicating a higher safety risk in the F-150.
- Recalls: Ford has 145 recalls vs BMW's 19, suggesting more widespread defects in the F-150.
- Check for excessive oil consumption and valve stem seal issues by monitoring oil levels and looking for blue smoke from exhaust.
- Inspect the electric auxiliary water pump for leaks or failure, and verify if any recall coverage applies.
- Test drive to feel for hard shifts, jerks, or clunks, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and check for any warning lights.
- Check for electrical warnings like front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist errors, and inspect headlights for proper operation.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with BMW or Ford, respectively.
- Review the vehicle's service history for oil consumption, transmission repairs, and electrical fixes.
- Check for open recalls and ensure they are completed.
- Test drive under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic.
- Consider extended warranty or repair coverage due to potential high costs.
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 760li or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 760li vs FORD F 150
- BMW 760li total complaints
- 3
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW 760li total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW 760li avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 760li
- BMW 760li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN