Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet BOLT EUV vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet BOLT EUV 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
Chevrolet BOLT EUV vs FORD F 150: The Bolt EUV has 145 complaints over 2 years (72.5/year) and 4 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 297 injuries and 1 death, versus 4 injuries and 0 deaths for the Bolt. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet BOLT EUV or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet BOLT EUV
The Chevrolet BOLT EUV is an electric compact SUV with a relatively short two-year complaint history. Owners report a mix of advanced driver-assist quirks, steering that binds or sticks, and electrical glitches, alongside four recalls including battery and airbag issues. With about 73 complaints per year, it's a lower-volume vehicle, but the nature of the complaints—especially steering and unintended acceleration—can be concerning for daily driving.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a decade of complaint data showing a very high volume of issues, averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common problems involve the powertrain, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many reports of transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. With 151 recalls and hundreds of crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection and maintenance.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet BOLT EUV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 145 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 72.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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.
Chevrolet BOLT EUV
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE35
- 02STEERING34
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds, especially when turning corners, with one driver experiencing it about 30 times over 2.5 years. This can cause loss of control in parking lots or intersections, so buyers should test the system thoroughly.
Complaints describe 'sticky steering' where the wheel binds and fails to return to center, and grinding noises at highway speeds. This makes steering unpredictable and could lead to overcorrection, so a pre-purchase inspection should focus on steering feel.
Owners report Service ESC warnings and water leaks in the trunk that short the radio amplifier, disabling communication and audio. These glitches can be intermittent and costly to diagnose, so check for water damage and electronic warnings.
Some complaints mention sudden speed increases at low speeds, similar to the forward collision avoidance reports. This overlaps with acceleration issues and can be dangerous in tight spaces, so test low-speed maneuvers carefully.
“Was initially stopped at a red light heading northbound while in the right turn lane. The cross street had two lanes of traffic heading in each direction separated by a median divider to the west and a left turn lane to the east. After cross traffic cleared f…”
“Generally when driving a a slow speed and truing a corner the vehicle will suddenly speed up to about 15 miles per hour. Over the last 2.5 hears this has happened about 30 times. On at lease three (3) occasions a passenger has been with me and can confirm thi…”
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 can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk and the need for a thorough transmission check.
The same lead frame problem often appears as an electrical fault, and owners also report rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass. These issues can disable the truck or cause unexpected damage, so inspect for aftermarket fixes and recall completion.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific failure details aren't provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights, including brake and turn signals, for intermittent operation.
Engine complaints are numerous, often related to the same powertrain issues like limp mode and sensor failures. These can leave the truck undrivable, so a diagnostic scan for stored codes is essential.
“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.
Chevrolet BOLT EUV — 4 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV vehicles. One of the two fasteners that secure the driver's frontal air bag to the steering wheel may be missing or improperly tightened.
The risk: An improperly installed air bag may not deploy properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the driver-side air bag fasteners. If the fasteners cannot be tightened properly, the air bag assembly will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letter…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
The risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, p…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resul…
The risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, p…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full cap…
The risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, p…
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
Chevrolet BOLT EUV or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet BOLT EUV has far fewer complaints per year (about 73) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Bolt's issues often involve steering and unintended acceleration, which can be alarming. The F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and longer production run, but the frequency of powertrain failures means higher potential repair costs and downtime. In practice, the Bolt may be simpler to own if you can verify the steering and software are sorted, while the F-150 requires diligent maintenance and recall checks.
Key differences
- The Bolt EUV averages about 73 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages over 1,100, but the Bolt's complaints include steering binding and sudden acceleration, which can be dangerous.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, including engine and seat belt issues, whereas the Bolt has 4 recalls in 2 years, mainly for battery and airbag problems.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that cause loss of power, while Bolt owners report electrical glitches like ESC warnings and water leaks.
- The F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death reported in complaints, compared to 4 injuries and 0 deaths for the Bolt, though these numbers don't account for exposure or severity.
- Test the steering at various speeds for binding, grinding, or failure to return to center, as owners report 'sticky steering' and grinding noises.
- Check for water leaks in the trunk area that can short the radio amplifier, and verify that all electronic stability control warnings are absent.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive for limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed engagement, as lead frame failures are common.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or shattering, and confirm that all recalls, especially those for the powertrain, have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are remedied before purchase.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas for each model.
- For the Bolt EUV, test drive at low speeds and during turns to check for unintended acceleration or steering binding.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds and check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or harsh shifting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any warranty information, especially for powertrain or electrical repairs.
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 | Chevrolet BOLT EUV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 119 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 26 | 3493 |
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 Chevrolet BOLT EUV or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV total complaints
- 145
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV avg complaints/year
- 72.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV
- Chevrolet BOLT EUV top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN