Head-to-head reliability
Buick Lucerne vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Lucerne 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 Lucerne vs FORD F 150: The Lucerne has 943 complaints over 6 years (157/year) and 17 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. Both show safety-related issues, but the F-150's higher rate suggests more frequent problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Lucerne or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Lucerne
The Buick Lucerne is a full-size sedan with a mixed reliability record. Over six years, owners filed 943 complaints—about 157 per year—and the car was recalled 17 times. Electrical problems dominate, often causing stalling or no-start conditions, and some steering failures have been reported. It can be a comfortable cruiser, but be prepared for potential electrical gremlins.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a high complaint volume: 11,621 over ten years, averaging 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls. Power train and electrical issues are most common, including transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. While many owners are satisfied, the frequency of serious problems means a thorough inspection is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Lucerne | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 943 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 74 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 157.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Lucerne
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM399
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM106
- 03STRUCTURE101
- 04STEERING83
- 05AIR BAGS79
Owners report door locks cycling and the engine cutting off without warning, as well as melted wire connectors under the rear seat that can prevent starting. These faults can leave you stranded or create a safety hazard while driving.
Complaints describe repeated no-start conditions where the car cranks but won't fire, often traced to fuel pump relay or fuse box failures. Some owners have replaced relays multiple times, making reliability unpredictable.
Broken interior door handles are common, requiring entire door panel replacement, and parts may be unavailable. This can be a costly annoyance and a safety concern if a door cannot be opened from inside.
There are reports of sudden steering loss while driving, sometimes after a collision or jarring event. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to loss of control.
“INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. DOOR LOCKS POWER CYCLED LOCK/UNLOCK AND THEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE TO OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TURN ON HAZZARD. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK/CHILDCARE ETC. I ALSO TRA…”
“We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden downshifts or loss of power. These issues can happen without warning and may require expensive repairs.
Electrical complaints include lead frame issues affecting transmission operation and rear window defroster shorts that have caused back windows to shatter. These faults can be dangerous and costly to fix.
Some owners report rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered glass, which is a surprising and potentially hazardous failure. This falls outside typical component categories but is a real concern.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint area, suggesting issues with lights that could affect visibility and safety. Buyers should check all lighting functions.
“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 Lucerne — 17 recalls
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COUL…
The risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COUL…
The risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080…
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 Lucerne or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Lucerne has far fewer complaints per year (about 157) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but both have notable safety-related issues. In practice, the Lucerne may have fewer overall problems, but its electrical and steering faults can be severe. The F-150's higher volume means more reported issues, but many are addressed by recalls.
Key differences
- The Buick Lucerne averages about 157 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the F-150.
- Electrical system issues are the top complaint for the Lucerne, often causing stalling or no-start conditions, whereas the F-150's top complaint is power train, with transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Lucerne has 17 recalls over 6 years, while the F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, reflecting the F-150's more frequent recall campaigns.
- Both vehicles have reported safety-critical failures: the Lucerne with steering loss and the F-150 with transmission failures that can cause sudden power loss.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: test all door locks, power windows, and ensure the car starts reliably; look for melted connectors under the rear seat.
- Test the steering at low and high speeds for any unusual noise, looseness, or hesitation, as sudden steering loss has been reported.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior: any harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear is a red flag.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster; also 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, especially the Lucerne's ignition and battery cable recalls and the F-150's engine and seat belt recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Buick Lucerne's electrical system, including battery cables, fuse box, and fuel pump relay, and check for melted wires.
- For the Ford F-150, have a transmission specialist scan for codes and test drive extensively to detect limp mode or shifting issues.
- Test all interior and exterior features: door handles, windows, lights, and defroster, as these are common complaint areas.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and electrical repairs on the Lucerne.
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 Lucerne or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Lucerne vs FORD F 150
- Buick Lucerne total complaints
- 943
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Lucerne total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Lucerne avg complaints/year
- 157.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Lucerne
- Buick Lucerne top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN