Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac STS vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac STS 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 STS vs FORD F 150: The STS has 268 complaints over 7 years (38/year) and 8 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The F-150's most common issue is transmission problems; the STS's is air bags. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac STS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac STS
The Cadillac STS is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—268 over seven years, about 38 per year—but the pattern shows recurring electrical and air bag warnings that can be safety-relevant. Owners report air bag lights staying on, stability control failures, and intermittent power loss that affects steering and braking. With 35 crash-related complaints and 26 injuries, these are not just nuisance issues. For a used buyer, it means budgeting for diagnostics and possible repairs to aging electronics and safety systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint count—11,311 over ten years, averaging over 1,100 per year—and 145 recalls. The dominant theme is transmission problems, especially hard or delayed shifts and sudden loss of power, along with electrical glitches like camera and sensor failures. With 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, the volume suggests widespread owner frustration. For a used buyer, this means many trucks may have unresolved or recurring issues, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac STS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 268 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 Better | 287 |
| 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 STS
- 01AIR BAGS74
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 03ENGINE34
- 04POWER TRAIN32
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24
Owners report the air bag warning light coming on and staying on, sometimes after stability control or ABS faults. This matters because if the light is on, the air bags may not deploy in a crash, and diagnosing it can be costly.
Complaints include dash lights failing, backup sensors malfunctioning, power windows acting up, and a hard brake pedal that can't be pressed. These electrical gremlins can affect basic control and safety, leaving a buyer with unpredictable repairs.
Owners describe intermittent loss of engine and electrical power while driving, causing reduced power and difficulty steering or braking. This is a serious safety concern because the car can become unresponsive in traffic.
Reports include grinding noises and total loss of control due to corroded gears, as well as fluid leaks. These failures can leave the vehicle undrivable and may require expensive transmission or axle work.
“THE CAR TRACTION CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM COME ON. THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR TURN EASILY. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THE DITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAD HEADLIGHTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WITH BULBS…”
“SINCE MAY 2015, GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, THEN AGAIN IN JUNE 2015 GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON. ONCE AGAIN , IN JULY LIGHTS COMES BACK ON AND STAYS ON HAS NOT GONE OUT AS OF 21 JULY 2015.. WE BROUGHT THE CAR…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint is the 10-speed automatic transmission shifting hard, jerking, or clunking, and sometimes losing all power. This can happen on crowded roads and creates a serious safety risk, plus potential costly repairs.
Owners report warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing every time they start the truck. These failures can disable driver-assist features and lead to repeated dealer visits.
Many complaints fall into this catch-all category, often describing noises, vibrations, or intermittent issues that are hard to diagnose. For a buyer, this means some problems may be elusive and expensive to trace.
Headlight-related complaints are common, and there are recalls for headlights. Faulty lighting reduces visibility and can be a safety issue, especially if not addressed promptly.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 STS — 8 recalls
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 4,586 MY 2008 CADILLAC STS AND STS-V PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, 'TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS' (TPMS). THE STANDARD REQUIRES AN INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FOR CERTAIN TPMS MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE S…
The risk: THESE INDICATIONS OF A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DO NOT WORK. PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://W…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
The risk: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-9…
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.
The risk: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABL…
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TOE LINK AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED. IF A TOE LINK IS REPLACED, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac STS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac STS has far fewer complaints per year (about 38) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). In practice, this means the STS owner may face fewer overall trips to the shop, but the issues reported—like air bag and electrical failures—can still be serious. The F-150's much higher volume suggests a wider range of recurring problems, especially with the transmission.
Key differences
- The Cadillac STS averages about 38 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- The STS's top complaint area is air bags, with owners reporting warning lights and stability control failures; the F-150's top area is power train, with hard shifting and loss of power.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 8 for the STS, meaning the truck has had far more official safety fixes issued.
- Both have crash-related complaints and injuries, but the F-150's higher totals (328 crashes, 287 injuries) reflect its much larger complaint base.
- Check that the air bag warning light is not illuminated and that all recalls for air bags and electrical systems have been performed.
- Test drive and listen for grinding or delayed engagement in the transmission, and check for fluid leaks under the car.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts—especially between 4th and 5th, and 7th and 8th gears—for jerking or clunking.
- Verify that driver-assist features like the front camera and pre-collision assist are working and not showing warning messages on startup.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific problem areas: air bags and electrical for the STS; transmission and electrical for the F-150.
- Scan for stored trouble codes, even if no warning lights are on, to catch pending issues.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for transmission or power loss symptoms.
- Check for any signs of fluid leaks or corrosion, especially on the STS power train and F-150 undercarriage.
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 STS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac STS vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac STS total complaints
- 268
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Cadillac STS total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Cadillac STS avg complaints/year
- 38.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac STS
- Cadillac STS top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN