Head-to-head reliability
Buick Allure vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Allure 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
Buick Allure vs FORD F 150: The Allure has 4 complaints over 5 years and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crashes and 297 injuries, versus none for the Allure. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Allure or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Allure
The Buick Allure is a sedan that, based on NHTSA data, has very few reported problems: only 4 complaints over 5 years, no recalls, and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. Owners describe isolated but serious issues like low-beam headlights failing, a steering column that pulled back, a passenger door that wouldn't open, and a fuel gauge that dropped quickly. For a first-time buyer, this suggests a car with a low complaint rate, but you should still check these specific areas because even one failure can be dangerous.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher reported complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, 151 recalls, and reports of 330 crashes, 297 injuries, and 1 death. The most common complaint areas are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe transmission problems like limp mode and stuck gears, as well as electrical issues with the lead frame and rear window defroster. This pattern indicates that while many trucks may be fine, a buyer should be aware of these recurring, potentially serious failure modes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Allure | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.8 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.
Buick Allure
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
- 02STEERING1
- 03STRUCTURE1
- 04FUEL SYSTEM1
- 05OTHER1
One owner reported that the low-beam headlights suddenly turned off while driving at night, and only the high beams worked. This matters because losing low beams in the dark can severely limit your view and make you a hazard to others.
An owner described the steering wheel and column pulling back nearly six inches when they pulled on the wheel, and the tilt function stopped working. This is a serious safety concern because it could affect your ability to steer and control the car.
A complaint stated that the passenger door would not open from the inside or outside, even though the electric locks seemed fine. This is a potential safety risk because it could trap someone inside during an emergency.
One owner reported that when the gas gauge was slightly under a quarter tank, it would drop rapidly to show empty. This could cause you to run out of fuel unexpectedly, leaving you stranded or in a dangerous spot.
“DRIVING ALONG AT 8:30 PM ( DARKNESS) AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. HIGH BEAMS WORKED, NO LOW BEAM. VERY DANGEROUS. I TRIED THE MANUAL SWITCHES AND COULD NOT GET THE LOW BEAMS TO TURN ON. HAD TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS TO GET HOME.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly mention transmission problems, including going into limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame issues that can cause sudden loss of power. These failures can happen while driving and may lead to near-collisions or expensive repairs.
Complaints include the lead frame issue causing transmission problems and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults like these can be unpredictable and costly to diagnose and fix.
There are 1,224 complaints about exterior lighting, though specific owner text is not provided here. Lighting failures can reduce your visibility and make your truck harder for others to see, especially at night.
With 880 complaints and multiple recalls related to the engine, owners may experience engine-related problems. These can range from performance issues to more serious failures that require major repairs.
“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.
Buick Allure
No recalls on record.
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
Buick Allure or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Allure has far fewer issues per year (0.8 complaints/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1 complaints/year). In practice, this means the Allure is likely to have fewer reported problems, but the F-150's much larger sales volume means even a small defect rate can generate many complaints. The difference is stark, but it does not guarantee that any individual vehicle will be trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Buick Allure has only 4 complaints over 5 years and no recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls.
- Ford F-150 owners report serious power train issues like limp mode and stuck gears, whereas Buick Allure complaints are fewer and cover lighting, steering, structure, and fuel system.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data, while the Allure has zero in all those categories.
- The F-150 has multiple engine and seat belt recalls, but the Allure has no recalls on record.
- Test the low-beam headlights to make sure they turn on and stay on; if they flicker or fail, it could be a dangerous electrical issue.
- Check that all doors, especially the passenger door, open smoothly from both inside and outside; a stuck door could trap occupants in an emergency.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or going into limp mode; these are common complaints and can be expensive to fix.
- Ask if the lead frame has been replaced or if any recalls (like 26S28) have been performed; unresolved electrical issues can cause sudden power loss.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially on the Ford F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system on the F-150, and the lighting, steering, and door mechanisms on the Allure.
- Test all lights, including low beams, high beams, and rear window defroster, on both vehicles.
- Verify that all doors open and close properly from inside and outside on the Allure, and check for any signs of transmission issues on the F-150.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any known issues (like the lead frame or fuel gauge) have been addressed.
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 Buick Allure or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Allure vs FORD F 150
- Buick Allure total complaints
- 4
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Allure total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Allure avg complaints/year
- 0.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Allure
- Buick Allure top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN