Head-to-head reliability
BMW M3 vs FORD F 150
How the BMW M3 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 M3 vs FORD F 150: Over 10 years, the M3 had 28 complaints and 12 recalls, while the F-150 had 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reported 297 injuries and 1 death, versus none for the M3. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M3 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance sports sedan that demands attentive ownership. Over 10 years, it has 28 complaints (2.8 per year) and 12 recalls, with no reported injuries or deaths. Owners frequently report fuel leaks, engine crank hub issues, and drivetrain clunks, so expect potential repairs and a need for regular inspections.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base, generating 11,621 complaints (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls over 10 years. Reports include 330 crash-related incidents, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Common complaints involve transmission problems, electrical glitches, and lighting failures, indicating that while popular, it has many reported issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M3 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 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 M3
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ENGINE6
- 04POWER TRAIN5
- 05SUSPENSION2
Owners report fuel tank leaks, often after filling up, with a strong fuel smell. One complaint notes a rubber gasket failure that leaks large amounts of fuel, posing a fire risk. Buyers should check for fuel odors and leaks.
A known issue on 2015+ M3s is the crank hub spinning out, which can damage the engine and leave the car in a dangerous state while driving. This can happen even on stock vehicles, so a pre-purchase inspection is critical.
Clutch slipping and abnormal engagement have been reported, as well as banging sounds from the rear axle. These can affect drivability and may require costly repairs.
Some complaints involve non-safety issues like satellite radio advertisements, but others mention a clunking/jolting from the rear axle that dealers may dismiss as normal. Persistent noises should be investigated.
“- Fuel tank started slowly leaking fuel after filling tank up to full, only discovered after driving back home and noticing a strong smell of fuel. Repair records are with BMW of Sherman Oaks, CA. - Leaking fuel caused my garage to fill with strong odor of fu…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel tank rubber gasket failed How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Leaks large amount of fuel and can cause a fire or explosion Has the pro…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission problems are widespread, including limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, highlighting safety risks. These issues can occur frequently and impair driving.
Electrical faults include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused a back window to shatter. Such problems can be unpredictable and costly.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting failures are common. While specific details aren't in the sample, this volume suggests owners frequently deal with malfunctioning lights, affecting visibility and safety.
Engine complaints number 880, though sample texts focus on other areas. This indicates a range of engine-related issues that buyers should have checked by a mechanic.
“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 M3 — 12 recalls
The defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of bei…
The risk: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. T…
The risk: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 4…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
The risk: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. 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 M3 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW M3 has far fewer issues per year (2.8 vs. 1,162.1) and no reported injuries or deaths, while the Ford F-150 has many more complaints and some serious safety outcomes. In practice, the M3 may need fewer repairs overall, but its issues can be severe; the F-150's high volume means problems are more common and varied.
Key differences
- The BMW M3 has 28 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 complaints include 330 crash-related incidents, 297 injuries, and 1 death; BMW M3 has 1 crash-related, 0 injuries, 0 deaths.
- BMW M3 issues often center on fuel leaks and engine crank hub failures; Ford F-150 issues frequently involve transmission limp mode and electrical faults.
- Both have recalls, but the F-150 has 151 vs. 12 for the M3, meaning more potential safety fixes over time.
- Check for fuel odors around the tank and under the car, especially after filling up, due to reported fuel tank leaks.
- Listen for abnormal noises from the engine, particularly a spinning crank hub sound, and check for clutch slipping or rear axle clunks during a test drive.
- Test drive at various speeds to detect transmission issues like limp mode, stuck gears, or harsh shifting, which are commonly reported.
- Inspect electrical functions, including lights, rear window defroster, and any warning lights, as electrical faults and lighting failures are frequent.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the BMW's fuel system and engine, and the Ford's transmission and electrical system.
- For the BMW M3, ask for service records related to fuel tank and crank hub repairs.
- For the Ford F-150, test the transmission thoroughly and check for any signs of limp mode or lead frame issues.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed, especially for the Ford F-150 given its high number of 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 M3 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 3 | 5349 |
| 2018 | 9 | 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 M3 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the BMW M3 inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M3 vs FORD F 150
- BMW M3 total complaints
- 28
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW M3 total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW M3 avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW M3
- BMW M3 top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN