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 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW M240i has 10 complaints and 8 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
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 | 10 Better | 11,102 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 Better | 1110.2 |
| 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 M240i
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03STEERING2
- 04STRUCTURE1
- 05LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
“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…”
“Head lights fogging up in every 2 series bmw starting from year 2022 to current. During a rainy environment the lights fog up bad enough to affect seeing the roads. This does affect the BMW M2 and the BMW M240i. Safety issue flat out. To test Put a 2023 BMW M…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,492
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE828
“Vehicle Safety Hazard & Recall Remedy Denial Recall: 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237 Summary of Issue: I am experiencing active, unsafe vehicle symptoms directly tied to Recall 26S28, including intermittent transmission signal loss, warning lights, and abrupt d…”
“I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and…”
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 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.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i SAV vehicles. These vehicles may have an error in the software for the instrument panel, causing the display to not properly illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wit…
The risk: If the display does not illuminate during start up or does not illuminate various control and warning symbols while driving, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 BMW 230i and M240i vehicles. Supports within the roof liner may be insecurely attached.
The risk: The support may separate from the roof liner and fall into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash necessitating the deployment of the head air bag.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the roof liner as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will not be sent. The one owner was notified on June 15, 2021 by telephone and the vehicle has been repaired. Owners may con…
FORD F 150 — 144 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
The risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
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 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or dist…
The risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may…
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 | 16 |
| 2025 | 1 | 324 |
| 2024 | 0 | 607 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1484 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3388 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5162 |
| 2020 | 0 | 25 |
| 2019 | 0 | 31 |
| 2018 | 2 | 38 |
| 2017 | 3 | 27 |
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
- 10
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,102
- BMW M240i total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- BMW M240i avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1110.2
- More reliable overall
- BMW M240i
- BMW M240i top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN