Head-to-head reliability
Buick Verano vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Verano 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 Verano vs FORD F 150: The Verano averaged 73 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. Both have power train and electrical issues, but the F-150's are more frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Verano or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Verano
The Buick Verano is a compact sedan that averaged about 73 complaints per year over six years, with 15 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical and engine problems that cause random acceleration drops, stalling, and loss of power steering, which can be frightening. Air bag and power train complaints also appear, including transmission failure and airbag warning lights. Overall, it's a car that may need more frequent attention to electrical and drivetrain systems as it ages.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged about 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with 151 recalls. The most common complaints involve power train and electrical issues, such as transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the glass. These problems can leave drivers stranded or create safety hazards. With such high complaint volume, buyers should expect potential repairs and be diligent about maintenance.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Verano | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 440 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 19 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 73.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 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 Verano
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM122
- 02ENGINE109
- 03AIR BAGS93
- 04POWER TRAIN52
- 05STEERING50
Owners report random acceleration declines, near-stalls, and loss of power steering, often with warning lights that come on during the issue. These symptoms can make the car unpredictable and hard to control, especially at highway speeds.
Complaints include stalling, reduced power, and hard shifting from first gear, sometimes linked to transmission control module failures. A major transmission failure around 112,000 miles was also reported, which can be costly.
There are multiple complaints about the passenger airbag sensor, with some owners noting a special coverage adjustment but no recall. A faulty sensor could prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash, so it's important to check for warning lights.
Owners describe transmission control module failures and hard shifts, with some noting that other models of the same year were recalled but not theirs. These issues can lead to limp mode or loss of power, affecting drivability.
“BEGINNING IN MAY, I STARTED NOTICING ODD DECLINES IN ACCELERATIONS, RANDOMLY, EVEN WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL. THEN, I ALMOST STALLED OUT ON THE ROAD & LOST POWER STEERING. THIS IS DANGEROUS & SCARY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP & REPORTED A HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST…”
“While driving home from work, my car, lost power a few times. Though, the maintenance malfunction light did come on, it was while the issue was occurring. I mention this because, in the car’s manual, it states that the light will come on BEFORE the malfunctio…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, including limp mode, 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.
Owners report lead frame issues causing transmission malfunctions, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A short in the rear window defroster has also been reported to cause the back window to shatter, which is a safety hazard.
This category includes the rear window defroster short that can lead to the back window exploding outward. Such an event is dangerous and unexpected, and owners may not know to check for this until it happens.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting issues are among the top components, suggesting problems with lights that could affect visibility. Buyers should test all lights and check for recalls.
“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 Verano — 15 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to May 12, 2016, equipped with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine. The engine fuel line assembly may be misrouted, allowing the fuel line to contact the surface of the engine.
The risk: If the fuel line contacts the engine, the fuel line may wear, resulting in a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 54180.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011…
The risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011…
The risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011…
The risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-…
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 Verano or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Verano has far fewer complaints per year (about 73) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but both have notable issues. The F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, especially with power train and electrical systems, while the Verano's issues tend to be electrical and engine-related. In practice, the Verano may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the F-150's issues can be more severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 16 times more complaints per year than the Buick Verano, with power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures being the most common.
- Buick Verano owners frequently report electrical problems causing stalling and loss of power steering, while F-150 owners report transmission and rear window defroster issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 15 for the Verano, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes over its lifetime.
- Both vehicles have air bag-related complaints, but the Verano's involve sensor failures, while the F-150's include a passenger-side inflator recall.
- Check for any signs of transmission shuddering, hard shifts, or warning lights related to the transmission control module, as owners report failures.
- Test the passenger airbag sensor and look for any airbag warning lights, since complaints mention sensor failures that may not be recalled.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for sudden downshifts, limp mode, or stuck gears, which are common power train complaints.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of shorting or previous shattering, as this is a reported safety issue.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the F-150's many recalls and the Verano's ignition and airbag recalls.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, particularly transmission and electrical codes, on both vehicles.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior, acceleration, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- For the F-150, specifically test the rear window defroster and inspect the rear glass for cracks or signs of replacement.
- For the Verano, check the power steering assist and listen for any unusual engine noises or stalling tendencies.
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 Verano | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 | 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 Verano or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Verano vs FORD F 150
- Buick Verano total complaints
- 440
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Verano total recalls
- 15
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Verano avg complaints/year
- 73.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Verano
- Buick Verano top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN