Head-to-head reliability
BMW 840I vs FORD F 150
How the BMW 840I 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 840i vs FORD F 150: The BMW 840i has zero complaints and recalls over 7 years, while the Ford F-150 has over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls in 10 years. F-150 owners report transmission and electrical issues, whereas the BMW shows none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 840I or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 840I
The BMW 840i is a luxury grand tourer that, based on the data, has an exceptionally clean reliability record. With zero complaints, recalls, or safety incidents over seven years, it suggests a trouble-free ownership experience in terms of reported issues. This is a vehicle that appears to be well-built and reliable, though the lack of complaints also means fewer data points to identify potential long-term concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, in contrast, shows a high volume of owner-reported problems, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year. The most frequent issues involve the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or even failing. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. With 145 recalls and numerous crash-related incidents, the F-150 presents a more problematic ownership picture.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 840I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 840I
No component data available.
The BMW 840i has no owner complaints on record, indicating that no specific component failures have been reported to NHTSA. This suggests a high level of reliability, but also means there is no data on potential weak points.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even loss of power, often related to the 10R80 automatic transmission. These issues can be safety concerns, especially when power is lost in traffic.
Complaints include warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck is started. These electrical gremlins can affect driver-assistance features and cause frustration.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest potential issues with visibility, which is critical for safe driving at night.
“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 840I
No recalls on record.
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 840I or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW 840i has far fewer issues per year (0.0) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1). In practice, this means the BMW is likely to provide a more reliable and trouble-free ownership experience, while the F-150 may require frequent visits to the dealership for transmission and electrical problems.
Key differences
- The BMW 840i has zero complaints and recalls, while the F-150 has over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission problems, including hard shifts and loss of power, which are absent in the BMW.
- Electrical system issues, such as camera malfunctions, are common in the F-150 but not reported in the BMW.
- The F-150 has crash-related complaints and injuries, whereas the BMW has none.
- Since there are no reported issues, there are no specific red flags to inspect on the BMW 840i. However, it's still wise to have a pre-purchase inspection to check for any unreported problems.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of hard shifting or jerking, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, and check for any transmission-related recalls.
- Check the electrical system, including the front camera and pre-collision assist, for any warning lights or malfunctions.
Before you buy
- For the BMW 840i: obtain a vehicle history report to confirm no hidden issues, and have a trusted mechanic perform a thorough inspection.
- For the Ford F-150: check the transmission fluid condition and test drive to feel for any shifting abnormalities.
- For the Ford F-150: verify that all recalls have been addressed by the dealer.
- For the Ford F-150: test the front camera and pre-collision assist systems to ensure they are functioning properly.
- For both: review the NHTSA website for any recent complaints or recalls.
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 840I | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
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 840I or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 840I vs FORD F 150
- BMW 840I total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW 840I total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW 840I avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW 840I
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN