Head-to-head reliability
BMW I5 vs FORD F 150
How the BMW I5 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 I5 vs FORD F 150: The i5 averages 9.3 complaints per year over 3 years with 10 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year over 10 years with 151 recalls. The i5's issues center on brakes and electronics; the F-150's on transmission and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW I5 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW I5
The BMW i5 is a newer electric sedan with only three years of complaint data, averaging about 9.3 complaints per year. Owners report sudden braking events, loss of power steering, and failures of forward collision warnings, often on very low-mileage cars. The pattern suggests early-life electronic and brake-control glitches rather than long-term wear, so a thorough test drive and software check are essential.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with over a decade of complaint history, averaging about 1,162 complaints per year. Recurring themes include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical gremlins like a rear window that can shatter. These are well-documented, often repeat failures that can leave the truck undrivable, so service records and recall completion matter greatly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW I5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.3 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 I5
- 01SERVICE BRAKES11
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
Owners report the car moving forward unexpectedly at a stop and brake-system warnings during acceleration, which could lead to low-speed collisions. A buyer should test low-speed braking and check for any stored brake fault codes.
Complaints include sudden complete loss of power steering and automatic emergency braking that did not work. These are serious because they affect basic control and crash avoidance, so verify all software updates and warning lights.
Owners describe reduced driver-assistance errors and a persistent pedestrian warning failure. Since these systems are central to the car's safety claims, confirm they activate and self-test properly on a test drive.
ESC-related complaints and recalls appear in the data, often tied to control module issues. This matters because stability control is a core safety net, so ask for proof that any ESC recall was performed.
“I was driving a brand-new 2025 BMW i5 electric car, just leased from dealer the day before. The car was at rest, waiting for traffic light to turn green. Then the car started to move forward, and suddenly hit the car in front with a big thrust. My foot was on…”
“While merging onto [XXX] from an on-ramp in [XXX] , I received a dashboard warning stating “Brake system and chassis stabilization – braking may require additional force.” This occurred during active acceleration and merging into highway traffic. At the time…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These are not one-off nuisances; they can strand you, so a pre-purchase transmission scan and service history are critical.
The same lead frame problem shows up here, plus a rear window defroster short that reportedly shattered the back glass. Electrical faults on this truck can be safety-related, so check for recalls and test all electrical features.
One owner described the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external impact. This suggests a possible thermal or electrical defect, so inspect the rear glass and defroster operation carefully.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. Since lighting affects visibility and safety, verify all lamps, including brake and reverse lights, work correctly.
“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 I5 — 10 recalls
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 2024 i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 vehicles. During vehicle start-up, the artificial sound generator control unit may experience a fault and fail to generate the external pedestrian warning sound. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem…
The risk: Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This is an expansion of Recall…
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 2024 i4 xDrive40, i4 M50 and i5 eDrive40 vehicles. The high-voltage battery module may contain insufficient weld seams, which can result in the battery overheating.
The risk: An overheated battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery module, free of charge. 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 I5 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW i5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 9.3 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but its issues often involve brakes and driver-assistance systems on very new cars. The F-150's much larger complaint volume reflects a long production run and recurring transmission and electrical faults that can be disabling. In practice, the i5 may need early software or sensor fixes, while the F-150 demands careful checks for known powertrain defects.
Key differences
- The i5's complaints cluster around brakes, electrical steering loss, and forward-collision warnings, often on low-mileage cars; the F-150's cluster around transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can strand the truck.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and over 11,000 complaints across 10 years, while the i5 has 10 recalls and 28 complaints over 3 years—volume differs hugely, but both show safety-relevant patterns.
- The i5 reports 4 crash-related complaints and 3 injuries; the F-150 reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, though the much larger population makes direct comparison tricky.
- The F-150 sample includes a rear window that shattered after defroster use, an unusual electrical/thermal failure not seen in the i5 sample.
- During a test drive, check for any brake-system or chassis-stabilization warnings and confirm the car does not creep forward unexpectedly at a stop.
- Verify that power steering assist and forward-collision warning/automatic emergency braking activate and self-test without error messages.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive from cold to check for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in a gear.
- Inspect the rear window and test the defroster; look for signs of overheating, shattering, or prior replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are completed, especially brake, ESC, and forward-collision recalls on the i5 and powertrain recalls on the F-150.
- Have a qualified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection with a scan tool to read stored fault codes in brakes, steering, transmission, and driver-assistance modules.
- Test drive the i5 at low speed and during acceleration to feel for unexpected braking or steering loss; test the F-150 through all gears and at highway speed for limp mode.
- Check the i5's software version and ask the dealer to confirm the latest updates for brake, ESC, and driver-assistance systems.
- For the F-150, specifically ask about lead frame replacement history and inspect the rear window defroster for any signs of overheating or prior shattering.
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 I5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 8 | 345 |
| 2024 | 20 | 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 I5 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW I5 vs FORD F 150
- BMW I5 total complaints
- 28
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW I5 total recalls
- 10
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW I5 avg complaints/year
- 9.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW I5
- BMW I5 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN