Head-to-head reliability
BMW M340i vs FORD F 150
How the BMW M340i 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 M340i vs FORD F 150: The BMW M340i has 68 complaints over 7 years (9.7/yr) with a critical engine oil pump issue, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) with transmission and electrical problems. The BMW has zero crash-related complaints, but the F-150 has 328. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M340i or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M340i
The BMW M340i is a performance sedan that, in ownership terms, shows a concentrated pattern of engine-related complaints, averaging about 10 per year. Owners frequently report issues with the engine oil pump, particularly in 2019-2020 models, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure. Electrical and drivetrain problems also appear, but the engine is the dominant concern, making it a vehicle that demands careful maintenance and inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common issues involve the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard shifting, jerking, and sometimes losing power. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also frequent, contributing to a higher rate of crash-related complaints and injuries.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M340i | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 68 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.7 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 M340i
- 01ENGINE44
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 04POWER TRAIN6
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
Owners report a serious defect in the engine lubrication system, specifically a plastic oil pump that can fail, leading to catastrophic engine failure. This is most prevalent in 2019-2020 models with the B58 engine.
Electrical issues include a recall for the body control module and battery problems, but owners also report persistent failures even after repairs, such as the 'Powertrain Failure' warning and dashboard detachment.
The xDrive drivetrain can develop a whining noise from the front differential, starting around 38,000 miles, which may indicate wear or failure.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a potential safety defect involving the engine lubrication system on my 2020 BMW M340i with the B58 engine. The vehicle was purchased used from a single owner with low mileage and comprehensive maintenance records, wit…”
“I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles utilize a variable-displacement engine oil pump containing an internal thermoplastic adjustin…”
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 shifts, jerks, clunks, and occasional loss of power, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears.
Owners frequently see warnings for 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on startup, indicating sensor or software issues that may affect safety features.
Headlight problems are common, with many complaints about headlights failing or not working properly, which can reduce visibility and safety.
“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 M340i — 18 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (…
The risk: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the…
The risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between t…
The risk: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact B…
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 M340i or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW M340i has far fewer complaints per year (9.7) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the BMW's engine problems are severe and potentially catastrophic, while the F-150's issues are more numerous but often less immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The BMW M340i has a specific engine oil pump defect that can cause total engine failure, while the Ford F-150's main issue is transmission harshness and occasional power loss.
- The Ford F-150 has a much higher rate of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287) compared to the BMW's zero, suggesting more safety incidents reported.
- Electrical problems in the BMW often persist after recall repairs, whereas the F-150's electrical issues are more about sensor malfunctions and warning lights.
- The BMW's complaints are concentrated in the engine (44 out of 68), while the F-150's are spread across powertrain, electrical, and lighting.
- Check for any signs of engine oil leaks or unusual engine noise, and verify if the oil pump has been replaced with an updated part.
- Look for dashboard detachment or 'Powertrain Failure' warnings, which may indicate electrical or engine issues.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Check if the front camera and pre-collision warnings appear on startup, as they may require costly sensor replacements.
Before you buy
- For the BMW M340i, obtain service records and confirm if any engine oil pump recall or repair was performed.
- For the Ford F-150, ask about transmission software updates and whether the 10R80 has been serviced.
- Inspect the BMW's dashboard for any signs of detachment or loose panels.
- For the F-150, test all exterior lights, including headlights, for proper function.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with these models.
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 M340i | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 11 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 51 | 33 |
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 M340i or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M340i vs FORD F 150
- BMW M340i total complaints
- 68
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW M340i total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW M340i avg complaints/year
- 9.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW M340i
- BMW M340i top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN