Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac CT4 vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac CT4 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
Cadillac CT4 vs FORD F 150: The CT4 has 35 complaints over 7 years (5 per year) and 11 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 2 for the CT4. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac CT4 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac CT4
The Cadillac CT4 is a compact luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—35 over seven years, or about 5 per year. Owners most often report engine and electrical problems, including sudden loss of power and dashboard warnings, as well as brake and transmission issues. With 11 recalls and 2 crash-related complaints, it's a car that demands attention to its electronic and drivetrain systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume—11,621 over ten years, averaging over 1,100 per year. Power train and electrical issues dominate, with frequent reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sensor problems. It has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, indicating widespread, recurring safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac CT4 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 35 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.0 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.
Cadillac CT4
- 01ENGINE10
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 03SERVICE BRAKES7
- 04POWER TRAIN6
- 05STEERING6
Owners report sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds, with the transmission dropping out of gear and the engine revving without acceleration. This can leave you stranded or cause a crash, so any hesitation or warning light should be checked immediately.
Multiple dashboard warning lamps and brake-assist warnings appear suddenly, sometimes accompanied by reduced braking response. These electrical glitches can affect critical safety systems, making diagnosis and repair essential.
Drivers describe the brake pedal losing all pressure and the brakes failing to work, often with all dashboard lights illuminating. This is a severe safety risk that requires immediate attention if experienced.
Complaints include sudden downshifts, high RPM revving, and hard shifting due to a transmission control valve that may stick or wear. These issues can cause unexpected deceleration and costly repairs.
“While driving at highway speeds on the freeway in my 2021 Cadillac CT4-V, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion. Without warning, the transmission dropped out of gear as if it were in neutral. I completely lost the ability to accel…”
“The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac CT4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the power steering and power brakes failed to operate as needed. The check engine and the crash warning lights were illuminated. The contact coasted to the si…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that cause sudden loss of power or harsh shifting. These problems can happen daily and may lead to dangerous highway situations.
The same lead frame issue often manifests as electrical faults, and output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode. These defects can disable the truck unexpectedly, requiring expensive dealer repairs.
Some owners report rear window defroster shorts causing the back window to shatter outward. This is a surprising and hazardous failure that can occur without warning.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint area, suggesting frequent bulb or module failures that can affect visibility and safety.
“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.
Cadillac CT4 — 11 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
The risk: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
The risk: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
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
Cadillac CT4 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac CT4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 5) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), meaning you're much less likely to encounter a reported problem with the Cadillac. However, the F-150's sheer volume reflects its popularity and long production run, so the per-vehicle risk may be lower than the raw numbers suggest. In practice, the Cadillac's issues tend to be severe but less frequent, while the Ford's are widespread and recurring.
Key differences
- The Cadillac CT4 averages about 5 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100 per year, a massive difference in reported problem rates.
- Cadillac CT4 owners report sudden loss of propulsion and brake failure, whereas Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to 11 recalls and 2 crash-related complaints for the Cadillac CT4.
- Both vehicles have electrical issues, but the F-150's are often tied to the lead frame, a long-standing defect, while the CT4's involve dashboard warnings and brake-assist failures.
- During a test drive, watch for any hesitation, rough shifting, or sudden loss of power—these could indicate the transmission control valve or engine issues reported by owners.
- Check that all dashboard warning lights illuminate and then go out; if any stay on or flash, it may signal electrical or brake system problems.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: look for limp mode, stuck gears, or harsh shifting, especially around 5th gear, as these are common complaints.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and window for any signs of shorts or cracks, as some owners report the window shattering after using the defroster.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, as the Ford F-150 has 151 and the Cadillac CT4 has 11.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, accelerate to highway speeds to check for sudden downshifts or loss of power.
- Verify that all software updates and recall remedies have been performed, especially for the F-150's lead frame and the CT4's transmission.
- Check the brake pedal feel and dashboard warnings for any signs of the brake or electrical issues reported.
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 | Cadillac CT4 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 7 | 638 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 7 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 8 | 44 |
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 Cadillac CT4 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac CT4 vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac CT4 total complaints
- 35
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac CT4 total recalls
- 11
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac CT4 avg complaints/year
- 5.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac CT4
- Cadillac CT4 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN