Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Cruze vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Cruze 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 vs FORD F 150: The Cruze averaged 372 complaints per year with 44 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. Both suffer power train and electrical issues, but the F-150's transmission limp mode and lead frame failures are more frequently reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Cruze or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car that averaged about 372 complaints per year over a decade, with 44 recalls. Owners most often report engine misfires, oil leaks, and violent shuddering, plus electrical glitches like frozen touchscreens. Power train complaints include clutch failure and transmission slipping, which can make the car hard to drive safely.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged about 1,162 complaints per year, with 151 recalls. The dominant issue is power train problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden gear changes. Electrical issues like rear window defroster shorts and exploding glass are also reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Cruze | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,722 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 292 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 372.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 200 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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 Cruze
- 01ENGINE1,260
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM760
- 03POWER TRAIN678
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER469
- 05SERVICE BRAKES382
Owners report engine misfires with warning lights (P0300) and significant oil leaks at the front of the engine, even with regular maintenance. This can lead to rough running and potential stalling.
The infotainment touchscreen can freeze with an error screen, and some report shuddering with abnormal engine knocking and check engine lights. These electrical faults can distract the driver and mask serious engine issues.
Manual transmission owners describe complete clutch loss with the pedal sticking to the floor, while automatic models may slip gears, shake violently, and refuse to accelerate. This can leave you stranded or cause loss of control.
Brake-related complaints are common, and recalls include hydraulic foundation components like disc calipers. Brake problems can increase stopping distances and are a critical safety concern.
“Purchased new in 2019 – 32k miles - Oil changes every 6 months. Lightly driven, no modifications, all original engine components and tune. Engine developed a significant miss. Several warnings on Stabilitrak, ABS, and P0300. Significant oil leak at front of e…”
“I got my vehicle through a local dealership in town, in July of 2020 and only a couple months later my problems started. The vehicle started to vibrate violently and almost jerk back and forth on its own whenever I would drive it. And whenever I did come to a…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues often persist despite repairs, making the truck unreliable for daily driving.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical, causing speed sensor failures and limp mode. Additionally, rear window defroster shorts have led to rear windows shattering outward without impact.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are frequent, though specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine complaints are less common than power train but still notable, with recalls covering engine issues. Owners may face unexpected engine repairs, adding to ownership costs.
“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 — 44 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a lock-ring on the fuel tank that will shield the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor from damage in a rear-impact crash, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrol…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
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 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Cruze has far fewer complaints per year (about 372) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but both have serious power train and electrical issues. In practice, the Cruze may have fewer overall problems, but the F-150's higher volume means more reported failures, especially with transmissions.
Key differences
- The Cruze averages 372 complaints per year; the F-150 averages 1,162, but the F-150 sells in much higher numbers.
- Cruze owners report engine misfires and oil leaks; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Cruze has 44 recalls; the F-150 has 151 recalls, including engine, seat belts, and air bags.
- Electrical issues differ: Cruze touchscreen freezes; F-150 rear window defroster shorts can shatter glass.
- Check for engine misfire codes (P0300) and oil leaks at the front of the engine, especially on 2018-2019 models.
- Test the manual clutch for sticking or loss of pressure, and listen for transmission slipping or violent shaking during a test drive.
- Scan for transmission codes like P0722 and test for limp mode or stuck gears during acceleration.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for shorts and check for any cracks or previous shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Cruze for engine misfires, oil leaks, and clutch operation.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission limp mode and stuck gears.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially transmission fluid changes and lead frame repairs on the F-150.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed, particularly brake and air bag recalls.
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 Cruze | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 22 | 52 |
| 2018 | 109 | 79 |
| 2017 | 201 | 59 |
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 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Chevrolet Cruze inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cruze vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Cruze total complaints
- 3,722
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Cruze total recalls
- 44
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Cruze avg complaints/year
- 372.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Cruze top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN