Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Cavalier vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Cavalier 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 Cavalier vs FORD F 150: The Cavalier averaged 354 complaints per year with 9 deaths, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 1 death. Both have serious electrical and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Cavalier or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a compact car that averaged 354 complaints per year over six years, with electrical and fuel system issues dominating owner reports. Many complaints describe sudden power loss, non-working lights, and fuel pump failures, which can leave a driver stranded or worse. With 132 crash-related complaints, 124 injuries, and 9 deaths reported, the Cavalier's reliability picture includes serious safety concerns that a first-time buyer should weigh carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with power train and electrical problems being the most common. Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window explosions, often after years of unresolved issues. Despite 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, the F-150 remains popular, but buyers should be aware of these recurring faults.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Cavalier | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,124 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 132 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 354.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 124 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 9 | 1 Better |
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 Cavalier
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM677
- 02FUEL SYSTEM494
- 03GASOLINE425
- 04SERVICE BRAKES182
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING174
Owners report sudden power loss while driving, often when using turn signals or cruise control, as well as non-working odometers, blinkers, and brake lights that short out. These failures can disable critical safety features and leave you without warning.
Complaints include fuel pump failure causing hesitation or stalling, and in one case a fire started under the dashboard after the vehicle was parked. A failed fuel pump can strand you, and a fire risk is extremely dangerous.
Similar to fuel system issues, owners report fuel pump failures requiring costly repairs, sometimes around 147,000 miles. Repeated fuel pump problems suggest a pattern that could lead to unexpected breakdowns.
Owners describe brakes locking up while driving over bumps, requiring pumping to unlock, and front brakes needing replacement after only 10,000 miles. Brake locking can cause loss of control, especially at speed.
“WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ON-RAMP ONTO AN INTERSTATE, I WAS USING MY MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICE (SIGNALING MY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THEN ONCE AT 65MPH SETTING CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT BEFORE…”
“PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER 7/12/13 WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: NON-WORKING ODOMETER, BLINKERS, BRAKE LIGHTS THAT FREQUENTLY "SHORT" OUT & A NON-WORKING WINDSHIELD FLUID FUNCTION. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO TAKE VEHICLE HOME & RETURN IT THE FOLLOWING DA…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues often recur even after repairs, making the truck unreliable for daily driving.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A short in the rear window defroster has caused the back window to shatter outward, posing a safety hazard.
Complaints include rear window explosions due to defroster shorts, which can happen without warning and create a risk of injury from shattered glass.
While specific complaints are not detailed in the sample, this is a top component with 1,224 complaints, suggesting lighting failures that could 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.
Chevrolet Cavalier — 23 recalls
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
The defect: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED D…
The risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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 Cavalier or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Cavalier has far fewer complaints per year (354) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162), but the Cavalier's issues often involve sudden power loss and fuel fires, which are immediate safety risks. The F-150's higher complaint volume reflects its popularity and longer production run, but its transmission and electrical problems can also be dangerous. In practice, the Cavalier may have fewer reported problems overall, but both vehicles have serious failure patterns that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Cavalier has 354 complaints per year vs. the F-150's 1,162, but the Cavalier's complaints include 9 deaths and 124 injuries, while the F-150 has 1 death and 297 injuries.
- Cavalier owners frequently report electrical power loss and fuel pump failures, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, compared to the Cavalier's 23 recalls over 6 years, indicating more widespread safety actions for the truck.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the Cavalier's rate per year (22) is lower than the F-150's (33), though the Cavalier's fatality count is higher.
- Check for electrical gremlins: test turn signals, brake lights, cruise control, and odometer; sudden power loss has been reported while driving.
- Inspect fuel system: look for signs of fuel leaks, listen for fuel pump whine, and check for hesitation; a fire risk under the dashboard has been reported.
- Test transmission thoroughly: look for limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed engagement; lead frame failures are common and can cause near collisions.
- Inspect rear window and defroster: check for cracks or previous shattering; a short in the defroster has caused windows to explode outward.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the F-150's lead frame and transmission recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system on the Cavalier, including lights, odometer, and cruise control, and the transmission on the F-150 for limp mode.
- For the Cavalier, test drive over bumps to check for brake locking and listen for fuel pump noise; for the F-150, test the rear defroster and window integrity.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for fuel pump replacements on the Cavalier and transmission repairs on the F-150.
- Budget for potential repairs: Cavalier fuel pump (~$500) and F-150 lead frame or transmission work, which can be costly.
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 Cavalier or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cavalier vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Cavalier total complaints
- 2,124
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Cavalier total recalls
- 23
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Cavalier avg complaints/year
- 354.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Cavalier
- Chevrolet Cavalier top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN