Head-to-head reliability
Buick Century vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Century 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 Century vs FORD F 150: The Buick Century averaged 121 complaints per year over 6 years, with 20 recalls, while the Ford F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year over 10 years, with 151 recalls. The F-150 has more than double the crash-related complaints (330 vs. 38). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Century or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Century
The Buick Century is a midsize sedan that owners often keep for basic transportation. Over six years, it averaged 121 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving exterior lighting, service brakes, and electrical system. Many complaints describe headlights turning off while driving and brake lines failing due to rust. These are serious safety concerns that can affect visibility and stopping ability.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that sees heavy use, and its complaint volume reflects that. Over ten years, it averaged 1,162 complaints per year, with power train and electrical system problems dominating. Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts. These issues can leave the truck stuck in gear or cause sudden loss of power.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Century | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 726 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 38 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 121.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 36 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 Century
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING109
- 02SERVICE BRAKES103
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM100
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING92
- 05POWER TRAIN86
Owners report headlights turning off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes multiple times. This reduces visibility and increases crash risk, especially at night.
Complaints describe brake lines failing due to rust and corrosion, causing the pedal to go to the floor. This can lead to a complete loss of braking, a critical safety hazard.
Electrical issues often involve the same headlight failures, with low beams stopping and high beams only working if the switch is held. This points to a persistent wiring or switch problem.
Some owners report sudden loss of acceleration and the vehicle veering, requiring a restart. Others mention power window switch failures, which can be a nuisance but less safety-critical.
“WE HAVE HAD OUR 2005 BUICK LACROSSE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW AND WANT TO REPORT THIS LIGHTING SAFETY CONCERN. THIS HEADLIGHT INCIDENT WITH OUR BUICK HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO US, THREE TIMES SINCE MID APRIL. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE WERE DRIVING ONE EVEN…”
“A FEW TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. ONCE WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR WITH A FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNS A BUICK THE ISSUE OCCURRED AND HE TOLD ME HIS CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED BUICK, WHO…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many complaints involve transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These can cause sudden loss of power or gear engagement, increasing crash risk.
Owners report output speed sensor failures triggering limp mode, and rear window defroster shorts that can cause the rear window to shatter. These are serious and sometimes sudden failures.
Some complaints describe rear window defroster shorts leading to the back window exploding outward. This is a rare but dangerous event that can happen without warning.
While less frequent than power train issues, lighting complaints exist. However, the sample text focuses more on electrical and power train problems.
“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 Century — 20 recalls
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN…
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN…
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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 Century or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Century has far fewer complaints per year (121 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but its issues often involve critical safety systems like brakes and headlights. The F-150's higher volume means more frequent problems, especially with the transmission and electrical system. In practice, the Buick may have fewer overall incidents, but the F-150's issues can be more complex and costly to repair.
Key differences
- The Buick Century averages 121 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year, a nearly tenfold difference.
- Buick Century complaints often involve headlights turning off and brake lines rusting, both direct safety risks.
- Ford F-150 complaints frequently cite transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, which can cause sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, compared to 20 recalls for the Buick Century over 6 years.
- Check for rusted brake lines, especially near the rear and front, as owners report sudden brake failure.
- Test the headlights thoroughly, including low and high beams, for any flickering or unexpected shutoff.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive for limp mode or stuck gears, common with lead frame issues.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or overheating, which can lead to window shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brake system and lines on the Buick Century for corrosion.
- For the Ford F-150, test the transmission through all gears and check for software updates related to recalls.
- Verify that all lighting components work correctly on both vehicles, including headlights and interior lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission or brake work.
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 Century or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Century vs FORD F 150
- Buick Century total complaints
- 726
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Century total recalls
- 20
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Century avg complaints/year
- 121.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Century
- Buick Century top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN