Head-to-head reliability
Buick Cascada vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Cascada 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 Cascada vs FORD F 150: The Cascada averages 13.3 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, compared to 1 crash and 1 injury for the Cascada. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Cascada or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Cascada
The Buick Cascada is a low-volume convertible, so you'll see fewer complaints overall—about 13 per year. The main patterns are engine issues like rough idle and check engine lights tied to the PCV system, and structural problems where the rear window separates from the convertible top. There's also a recall for power window controls. It's a niche car with specific, recurring faults that a buyer should know about.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume truck with over 1,100 complaints per year, reflecting its popularity and widespread use. Common trouble spots include the transmission and electrical system, with many reports of limp mode, harsh shifting, and lead frame failures. There are also numerous recalls covering engines, seat belts, and air bags. While many trucks serve reliably, the sheer number of complaints means certain issues are more likely to appear.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Cascada | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 53 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 13.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Cascada
- 01ENGINE15
- 02STRUCTURE15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER6
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
Owners report rough idle, check engine lights, and squealing noises, often traced to a failed camshaft cover or PCV valve. This can lead to costly repairs and reduced performance if not addressed.
The rear windshield can separate from the convertible top frame, allowing water to enter during rain. This is a known defect that may require expensive resealing or replacement.
Some owners report that the front collision alert system doesn't work at all, failing to warn of approaching vehicles. This could affect driver awareness in close traffic.
The rear window is prone to detaching from the convertible top material, often due to insufficient primer during assembly. Owners have resorted to glue to hold it in place, which is a temporary fix.
“I brought the 2017 Buick Cascada in for repair following rough idle and check engine light. This vehicle only has 46,200 miles. The mechanic put it to the computer and the mechanic found the issue that was ultimately identified as the camshaft cover/pc valve.…”
“A squealing sound was coming from the top of my engine and I had low/rough idle and it progressed to a low voltage output and check engine lights. I was able to use GM's Special Coverage Adjustment N232395320 Camshaft Cover (for the 2019 Cascada) and Special…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners experience transmission problems such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, requiring costly repairs.
Electrical faults include lead frame issues that affect transmission operation and rear window defroster shorts that have caused windows to shatter. These problems can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Some reports describe rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered glass, and other unexplained electrical glitches. These can be unpredictable and costly to diagnose.
Owners have reported exterior lighting failures, which can reduce visibility and increase accident risk. This is a common complaint area for the F-150.
“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 Cascada — 1 recall
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Cascada vehicles manufactured December 1, 2015, to February 24, 2016. The affected vehicles may have had the original convertible roof control module (CRCM) replaced with an incorrect CRCM, that allows the windows to close automatic…
The risk: If the windows close automatically or can be closed remotely in ways that do not meet all the requirements of FMVSS 118, the unexpected closure can increase the risk of injury to the passengers.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the CRCM with correct module, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16126.
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 Cascada or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Cascada has far fewer complaints per year (about 13) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). In practice, this means the Cascada is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, but its issues—like rear window separation and PCV failures—can be serious. The F-150's higher volume means more widespread issues, but also more available fixes and aftermarket support.
Key differences
- The Cascada has about 13 complaints per year; the F-150 has over 1,100, reflecting a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Cascada issues often center on the convertible top and PCV system, while F-150 problems frequently involve transmission limp mode and electrical faults.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 1 for the Cascada, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes over its production run.
- Cascada complaints include rear window separation and collision alert failures; F-150 complaints include lead frame failures and shattering rear windows.
- Check the rear windshield for any signs of separation from the convertible top, especially around the seals—water leaks and loose glass are common.
- Listen for rough idle or squealing from the engine, and ask if the camshaft cover or PCV valve has been replaced, as these are frequent failure points.
- Test drive and watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or previous shattering, and check for any electrical gremlins like flickering lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- For the Cascada, have a mechanic inspect the convertible top and rear window seals, and scan for engine fault codes related to the PCV system.
- For the F-150, test the transmission thoroughly, including highway driving to check for limp mode, and verify any recall repairs were completed.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and engine repairs on the Cascada.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model to catch known issues before buying.
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 | Buick Cascada | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 52 |
| 2018 | 11 | 79 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 Buick Cascada or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Cascada vs FORD F 150
- Buick Cascada total complaints
- 53
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Cascada total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Cascada avg complaints/year
- 13.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Cascada
- Buick Cascada top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN