Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Cruze Limited vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Cruze Limited 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 Cruze Limited vs FORD F 150: The Cruze Limited has 240 complaints per year and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 1,162 complaints per year and 151 recalls. The F-150’s power train and electrical issues are more frequently reported, but the Cruze’s single-year data limits long-term comparison. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Cruze Limited or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Cruze Limited
The Chevrolet Cruze Limited is a compact car with a very short complaint history—just one year of data—but a high annual complaint rate of 240 per year. Engine problems dominate, with owners reporting stalling, sensor codes, and even engine replacement. Electrical gremlins and fuel-system issues also appear, suggesting a car that may demand frequent diagnostic attention.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume—over 11,600 complaints across 10 years and 151 recalls. Power train and electrical issues are the most common, with owners describing transmission limp modes, lead frame failures, and electrical shorts. The sheer number of reports and recalls means buyers should expect a complex ownership experience with potential for recurring problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Cruze Limited | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 240 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 19 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 240.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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 Cruze Limited
- 01ENGINE98
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM57
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER40
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32
- 05POWER TRAIN31
Owners report engine codes like P0011 that return after dealer repairs, sometimes leading to cylinder head or full engine replacement. Others describe sputtering and stalling while driving, which can be a safety concern.
Complaints include the radio randomly turning off and on in cold or wet weather, and water leaks in the trunk that persist after recall work. These issues can be frustrating and costly to trace.
One owner reported that after a fuel-system recall repair, the car would rev to 3rd gear and get stuck around 27 mph. This suggests that even post-recall, drivability problems may remain.
With 31 complaints, power train issues are less frequent but still present; owners may experience transmission or drivetrain problems that affect reliability.
“Around 150,000 miles I had the code p0011 the dealership did work but code kept coming back on. So I was told I needed a cylinder head. I wanted a 2nd opinion so I took it to another dealership and was told I need to replace the engine. So July of 2021 engine…”
“At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. While this was happening, the blinker sounds would…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues often require dealer repairs and may not be permanently fixed.
Electrical complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting transmission control, plus shorts in the rear window defroster that have caused windows to shatter. Such failures can be dangerous and expensive.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common—likely including failures of headlights, taillights, or other exterior lamps, which can affect visibility and safety.
Engine-related complaints (880) may involve stalling, poor performance, or other malfunctions, though specific patterns are less detailed in the sample.
“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 Cruze Limited
No recalls on record.
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 Cruze Limited or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Cruze Limited has far fewer complaints per year (240) than the Ford F-150 (1,162 per year), but the Cruze’s data covers only one year. In practice, the F-150’s much larger complaint volume and 151 recalls mean a higher likelihood of encountering documented problems, while the Cruze’s shorter record leaves less long-term evidence.
Key differences
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus zero for the Cruze Limited, indicating a much higher rate of safety-related fixes.
- Power train complaints dominate the F-150 (3,648), often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Cruze’s top issue is engine codes and stalling.
- Electrical problems on the F-150 include window shattering from defroster shorts, whereas Cruze electrical issues are more about radio glitches and water leaks.
- The Cruze Limited’s complaint rate is 240 per year, compared to 1,162 per year for the F-150, but the Cruze’s single-year window limits long-term comparison.
- Check for stored engine codes (especially P0011) and any history of cylinder head or engine replacement; test-drive for sputtering or stalling.
- Inspect the trunk for water leaks and verify that any recall work (e.g., lamp kit) was properly performed and sealed.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in gear; ask about lead frame replacement history.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorts or overheating, and check for any cracked or shattered glass.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially on the F-150.
- Have a mechanic scan for diagnostic trouble codes and perform a thorough road test, including highway speeds.
- For the Cruze, verify that all recall-related repairs (e.g., fuel system, lamp kit) were completed and check for water intrusion in the trunk.
- For the F-150, specifically ask about transmission service history and lead frame repairs, and test all electrical accessories.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year to identify any additional patterns.
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 Cruze Limited or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited total complaints
- 240
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited avg complaints/year
- 240.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN