Head-to-head reliability
BMW I7 vs FORD F 150
How the BMW I7 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 I7 vs FORD F 150: The BMW i7 has 25 complaints over 4 years (6.3/yr) with sudden braking and acceleration issues, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) with transmission problems. The i7's issues are safety-critical but rarer; the F-150's are more frequent but less alarming. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW I7 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW I7
The BMW i7 is a luxury electric sedan that, in ownership terms, promises high-tech comfort but has been plagued by electronic gremlins. Owners report sudden unintended braking and acceleration, often tied to the driver-assistance and braking systems, which can be alarming and dangerous. With an average of 6.3 complaints per year over four years, the pattern suggests software and sensor issues that may not have permanent fixes, as some owners note dealerships lack solutions.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup known for capability, but its reliability record is mixed, with a high volume of complaints averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common issues involve the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or even losing power. Electrical problems also surface, including camera and pre-collision warnings, but the sheer number of complaints reflects its widespread use and long production run.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW I7 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 I7
- 01SERVICE BRAKES12
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE9
- 04HYDRAULIC4
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
Owners report the i7 suddenly brakes on its own at normal speeds with no obstacle ahead, which is dangerous and can cause rear-end collisions. Some also mention the brake pedal occasionally fails to respond, making the car hard to stop.
The car can accelerate unexpectedly in reverse when parking assist is used, as one owner described, leading to a crash. Software glitches are common, affecting various systems and requiring dealer intervention that may not be available.
The forward collision system can misinterpret situations, such as when a car ahead brakes, and may not allow the driver to brake properly, or it may activate incorrectly. This is part of a broader pattern of driver-assistance malfunctions.
Brake hydraulic issues can cause the brakes to be inoperable at times, as one owner experienced while driving at 25 mph. Another owner had to use the parking brake to stop when the vehicle became inoperable at 50 mph, indicating a serious safety risk.
“I have now experienced multiple instances where the vehicle suddenly brakes on its own while driving at normal speeds, without any obstruction or hazard ahead. This is not only unacceptable — it's extremely dangerous, putting both myself and other drivers at…”
“I have contacted the BMW dealership in Henderson several times about the recall and they do not have a fix from the BMW. I contacted BMW about the issue and filed a complaint with them to offer a solution of replacing the vehicle or return the vehicle for a b…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This can be dangerous in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Electrical issues include warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck is started. These can disable safety features and may be persistent despite dealer visits.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint area, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Faulty headlights can reduce visibility and increase accident risk.
Engine-related complaints are numerous, but the sample text does not specify exact issues. However, given the high count, buyers should be aware of potential engine performance or reliability concerns.
“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 I7 — 19 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss o…
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: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce custo…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss o…
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: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce custo…
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.
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 I7 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW i7 has far fewer complaints per year (6.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the i7's issues are more safety-critical, involving sudden braking and acceleration. In practice, the i7's problems are rarer but potentially more alarming, while the F-150's transmission issues are more frequent but often less immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The BMW i7 has sudden unintended braking and acceleration issues, while the Ford F-150's main problem is harsh shifting and transmission failures.
- The i7's complaints are concentrated in brakes and electrical systems, whereas the F-150's are spread across powertrain, electrical, and lighting.
- The i7 has fewer complaints per year but they are more likely to involve safety-critical malfunctions, while the F-150's issues are more frequent but often less immediately dangerous.
- The i7 is a newer model with software-related recalls, while the F-150 has a longer history and more recalls overall, but many are for minor issues.
- Test the brake system thoroughly, including sudden braking scenarios, and check for any open recalls related to the brake control module.
- Verify that all software updates are current, as many complaints stem from outdated or buggy software affecting driver assistance and parking features.
- Take a test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic to feel for hard shifts or jerking from the transmission, especially between 4th and 6th gears.
- Check for any warning lights on the dash, such as front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist unavailable, and have the dealer diagnose them.
Before you buy
- For the BMW i7, ask for a full service history and confirm that all recalls have been performed, especially those for brakes and ESC.
- For the Ford F-150, request a transmission fluid change and have a mechanic inspect the 10R80 transmission for any signs of wear or previous repairs.
- Check the NHTSA website for the specific VIN to see any unrepaired recalls on either vehicle.
- During a test drive, intentionally trigger the forward collision warning and parking assist on the i7 to ensure they respond correctly.
- For the F-150, drive at highway speeds and listen for any unusual noises from the engine or transmission, and test the headlights for proper function.
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 I7 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 24 |
| 2025 | 1 | 329 |
| 2024 | 15 | 617 |
| 2023 | 8 | 1507 |
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 I7 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW I7 vs FORD F 150
- BMW I7 total complaints
- 25
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW I7 total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW I7 avg complaints/year
- 6.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW I7
- BMW I7 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN