Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac DTS vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac DTS 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 DTS vs FORD F 150: The DTS averaged 85.2 complaints per year over 6 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 over 10 years. The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports; the DTS has 17 recalls and 36 crash-related reports. Both show serious electrical and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac DTS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac DTS
The Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan with a mixed reliability record. Over six years, owners filed 511 complaints, averaging 85.2 per year, with electrical system issues dominating. The car can leave you stranded due to sudden stalling or lock malfunctions, and steering problems can make it hard to control. With 17 recalls and 36 crash-related reports, it demands careful inspection before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,621 over ten years, averaging 1,162.1 per year. Power train problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, are frequently reported and can cause sudden loss of power. Electrical issues and rear window explosions add to owner frustration. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, it's a high-maintenance vehicle despite its popularity.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac DTS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 511 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 85.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 43 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 DTS
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM174
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING101
- 03ENGINE78
- 04STEERING52
- 05SERVICE BRAKES34
Owners report the vehicle locking itself, sudden stalling, and complete electrical failure while driving. These issues can leave you stranded or unable to restart, and multiple dealer visits often fail to find the cause.
With 101 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific failure details aren't provided in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and may not be covered by recalls, so check all lights regularly.
Complaints include the car quitting suddenly while backing out, requiring a tow. One owner also reported a crash where the air bag didn't deploy, though the engine issue itself was stalling. These stalling events can happen without warning.
Owners describe hard steering when turning and noises, often traced to a faulty fluid receptacle. This can make the car difficult to control, especially at low speeds, and may worsen over time.
“VEHICLE LOCKS ITSELF. "CHECKED" THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY, NOTHING FOUND. THEN BACK PASSENGER SIDE LOCK FAULTY & REPLACED. ON 6/2/15 I TOOK MY CAT TO THE VET, REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, DID NOT LOCK THE DOOR, PLACED THE KEYS ON THE CAT CARRIER, CLOSED T…”
“I WAS BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACKED ONTO THE ROAD,THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I TRIED RESTARTING IT,BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD...I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER..WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THE FOLL…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most complained-about area, with 3,648 reports. Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues often recur even after repairs.
2,100 complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A short in the rear window defroster has caused back windows to shatter outward, posing a safety risk.
1,431 complaints cover miscellaneous problems, such as the rear window explosion. These unpredictable failures can be costly and dangerous, and may not be covered by recalls.
1,224 complaints suggest lighting problems are frequent, though specific details aren't in the sample. Faulty lights can impair visibility and may require repeated repairs.
“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 DTS — 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: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OU…
The risk: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM…
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 DTS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac DTS has far fewer complaints per year (85.2) than the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), but both have serious safety-related issues. In practice, the DTS may be less overwhelming to own, but its electrical and stalling problems can still strand you. The F-150's higher volume means more frequent trips to the shop and a greater chance of encountering a dangerous transmission failure.
Key differences
- The Cadillac DTS averages 85.2 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1, a 13-fold difference.
- Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures causing sudden power loss; Cadillac DTS owners report electrical stalling and self-locking doors.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 17 for the DTS, indicating more widespread safety fixes over time.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the F-150 has 330 versus 36 for the DTS, reflecting its higher volume and possibly more severe outcomes.
- Check for any history of sudden stalling or electrical shutdowns; test all power locks and ignition functions multiple times.
- Inspect steering for hardness or noise when turning, and verify power steering fluid level and condition.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode, delayed engagement, or getting stuck in gear; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of defroster damage, and ask if it has ever shattered unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic scan for diagnostic trouble codes, especially transmission and electrical codes.
- Test drive the Cadillac DTS extensively, including turning and parking, to check for steering issues and stalling.
- Test drive the Ford F-150 on highways and at varying speeds to detect transmission limp mode or shifting problems.
- Inspect the F-150's rear window and defroster operation, and the DTS's door locks and electrical accessories.
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 DTS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac DTS vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac DTS total complaints
- 511
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac DTS total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac DTS avg complaints/year
- 85.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac DTS
- Cadillac DTS top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN