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: The BMW M3 has 28 complaints over 10 years (2.8/yr) and 12 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131/yr) and 145 recalls. Owners report fuel leaks and engine issues in the M3, and transmission and electrical problems in the F-150. 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, in ownership terms, demands attention to maintenance and potential failure points. Over 10 years, owners have filed 28 complaints, averaging 2.8 per year, with the most common issues involving the fuel system, engine, and powertrain. Living with an M3 means being alert to fuel leaks, engine problems like crank hub failure, and transmission or clutch issues, which can be costly and potentially dangerous.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck, but its reliability record shows a high volume of complaints: 11,311 over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year. The dominant problems are in the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, and electrical system, with owners reporting harsh shifts, loss of power, and various sensor malfunctions. These issues can affect daily usability and safety, making thorough inspection crucial for buyers.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| 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 M3
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ENGINE6
- 04POWER TRAIN5
- 05SUSPENSION2
Owners report fuel tank leaks, often after filling up, due to a faulty rubber gasket. This can create a strong fuel odor and pose a fire risk, as noted in complaints.
A known issue on 2015+ models is the crank hub spinning, which can cause severe engine damage and leave the vehicle in a dangerous state while driving. This affects both stock and modified cars.
Clutch problems on newer models (e.g., 2022) include slipping and abnormal engagement, while older models may experience abnormal banging sounds and failure to operate, leading to towing.
Some owners report a clunking and jolting sensation from the rear axle, which dealers may dismiss as normal, but it can indicate a real issue.
“- 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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power, sometimes leading to vehicle shutdown.
Owners report recurring warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on the dash, often without a clear fix from dealers.
Headlight issues are common, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample, but they are a frequent complaint area.
Engine-related complaints are numerous, but the sample text focuses on transmission issues; however, the high count suggests various engine problems.
“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 M3 — 12 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (…
The risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-8…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i,…
The risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
The risk: An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
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.
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 M3 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW M3 has far fewer complaints per year (2.8) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the M3's problems, such as fuel leaks and engine failures, can be severe and costly, while the F-150's issues are more widespread but often less catastrophic. In practice, the M3 may offer a more reliable ownership experience in terms of complaint rate, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- BMW M3 has a much lower complaint rate (2.8/yr) vs Ford F-150 (1,131/yr).
- BMW M3's top issues are fuel leaks and engine crank hub failure, which can be dangerous and expensive.
- Ford F-150's top issues are transmission harshness and electrical glitches, affecting daily drivability.
- Ford F-150 has more recalls (145) and crash-related complaints (328) compared to BMW M3 (12 recalls, 1 crash).
- Inspect the fuel tank and gasket for any signs of leaks or odor, especially after a fill-up.
- Check for any engine modifications or signs of crank hub issues, such as unusual vibrations or warning lights.
- Test drive the F-150 through various speeds to feel for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears.
- Check the dashboard for any warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available'.
Before you buy
- For BMW M3: Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system, engine, and transmission for any leaks or abnormal noises.
- For BMW M3: Ask for service records to see if the crank hub has been addressed or if there are any recurring issues.
- For Ford F-150: Perform a thorough test drive, including highway speeds, to evaluate transmission shifting.
- For Ford F-150: Check for any outstanding recalls and ensure they are completed.
- For both: Get a vehicle history report and consider a professional inspection before purchase.
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 | 24 |
| 2025 | 2 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 3 | 5234 |
| 2018 | 9 | 56 |
| 2017 | 3 | 43 |
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.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M3 vs FORD F 150
- BMW M3 total complaints
- 28
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW M3 total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW M3 avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW M3
- BMW M3 top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN