Head-to-head reliability
BMW M240i vs FORD F 150
How the BMW M240i 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 M240i vs FORD F 150: The BMW M240i has 11 complaints and 8 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related incidents and 297 injuries, versus none for the M240i. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M240i or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M240i
The BMW M240i is a sporty coupe that, based on owner complaints to NHTSA, has a relatively low complaint rate of about 1.1 per year over the past decade. The most common issues owners report are exterior lighting problems, particularly headlights that crack or fog with condensation, and occasional electrical and steering concerns. With only 11 complaints, 0 crash-related reports, and 0 injuries in the data, the M240i appears to have fewer reported safety incidents than the Ford F-150, though it still has 8 recalls covering air bags, engine, and electrical systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates a very high volume of owner complaints—over 11,600 in 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, electrical system, and engine, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden electrical glitches. The data also shows 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death, along with 151 recalls, indicating a much higher reported rate of serious problems than the BMW M240i.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M240i | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 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 M240i
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03STEERING2
- 04STRUCTURE1
- 05LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
Owners report headlights that crack from regular driving or fog up with condensation inside the housing, sometimes requiring repeated replacements. This matters because it can be a recurring expense and may affect visibility.
Complaints include a parked car that wouldn't respond to the key fob and a radio/amplifier failure causing loud crackling or no sound. These issues can be intermittent and frustrating to diagnose.
Some owners have asked NHTSA to expand a steering gear recall to include their 2022 model, citing defective steering gear assemblies. This is a safety concern because steering failure could lead to loss of control.
One complaint describes a parked, covered car that had an issue upon returning, though details are limited. Structural problems are rare but should be checked.
“I have owned a 2022 BMW M240i for a few years now, and as it ages out of warranty, I have replaced both headlights a total of 4 times. I fear additional pairs will be required as unfortunately these headlights tend to crack from regular driving. I have spent…”
“Just over a year of ownership and the headlights are fogging over with condensation on the inside of the headlight housing. Googling this problem produces hundreds of thousands of results, including forum posts and facebook/instagram reels showcasing this iss…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Many complaints involve the lead frame again, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical glitches can leave the truck undrivable and may require costly repairs.
One owner reported the rear window shattering outward after using the defroster, which could be a safety hazard. This suggests possible defects in the rear defroster system.
Although not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, likely involving headlights or tail lights failing. This can affect visibility and safety.
“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 M240i — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i XDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive) vehicles. The second-row seat backrest cover panels for the side air bags may break during deployment of the side air bags.
The risk: A backrest cover panel that breaks during side air bag deployment may cause the air bag to deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury to second-row seat occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear seat backrest side air bag cover panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North Americal, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 8 Series Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, Alpine B8 xDrive), 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i xDrive,…
The risk: Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will update the software for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. In addition, the digital key function via cellular service and Wi-Fi capability will be deactivated until the vehicle is updated with new software. Own…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and asse…
The risk: An improperly folded and assembled air bag may not deploy as intended, increasing risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BM…
The risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. 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 M240i or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW M240i has far fewer complaints per year (about 1.1) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and the F-150 also has many more crash-related reports, injuries, and recalls. In practice, this means a used M240i is likely to have fewer reported problems, while the F-150 may require more frequent attention to transmission and electrical issues.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, while the BMW M240i has only 11, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the F-150.
- The F-150's most common complaints are power train and electrical issues like transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, whereas the M240i's top complaint is exterior lighting (cracking or fogging headlights).
- The F-150 data includes 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the M240i has 0 in all three categories.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 8 for the M240i, covering a wider range of systems including engine, seat belts, and air bags.
- Inspect both headlights for cracks, fogging, or condensation inside the housing, as owners report these fail repeatedly.
- Check for any steering play or unusual noises, and verify whether the vehicle is affected by recall 23V-770 for steering gear issues.
- Test drive and check for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of cracking or shattering, as one owner reported the window exploding.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- For the BMW M240i, have a mechanic inspect the headlights, electrical system, and steering components.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission trouble codes and check the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to check for transmission issues or electrical glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and any recall repairs.
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 M240i | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 2 | 79 |
| 2017 | 3 | 59 |
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 M240i or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M240i vs FORD F 150
- BMW M240i total complaints
- 11
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW M240i total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW M240i avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW M240i
- BMW M240i top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN