Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Equinox vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Equinox 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 Equinox vs FORD F 150: The Equinox averaged 204.5 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1. The Equinox had 33 recalls and 126 crash-related complaints; the F-150 had 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints. Both show serious issues, but the Equinox has fewer per year. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Equinox or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that owners rely on for daily driving. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 205 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the engine, brakes, fuel system, and electrical components. Owners report stalling, brake failure, and electrical glitches, which can be alarming and costly. With 33 recalls and 126 crash-related complaints, it's important to check for open recalls and have a mechanic inspect these systems before buying.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its capability, but it has a much higher complaint rate—about 1,162 per year over the past decade. The most frequent problems involve the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Owners describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical gremlins that can affect drivability and safety. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall check are essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Equinox | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,045 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 126 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 204.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 96 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 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 Equinox
- 01ENGINE556
- 02SERVICE BRAKES423
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM322
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM319
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER293
Owners report fuel pump malfunctions causing the check engine light to come on, followed by engine shutdown or power loss during acceleration. This can leave you stranded or unable to accelerate safely.
Complaints include the brake pedal going to the floor with little resistance and messages like 'Brake System Failure' appearing. This sudden loss of braking power is a serious safety concern.
Sudden engine stalls and loss of motive power occur without warning, often in intersections or high-traffic areas. This can put you in a dangerous situation with no ability to move the vehicle.
Owners describe electronics working intermittently—seat heat, cruise control, and infotainment rebooting. These glitches are annoying and can distract from driving, though less immediately dangerous.
“The fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox began malfunctioning on [XXX] when the check engine light came on. Less than 24 hours later, the light went out. On [XXX], while leaving a CVS pharmacy, the vehicle jerked, then the engine shut off. After putting the…”
“My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission issues like limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures are frequently reported. These can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, making the truck unreliable.
The same lead frame issue affects electrical signals, and owners also report rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. Electrical faults can disable safety features and cause unexpected damage.
While not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting complaints are common. Malfunctioning lights reduce visibility and can lead to accidents or tickets.
Engine problems are reported, though less frequently than power train issues. They can include stalling or poor performance, adding to repair 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 Equinox — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
The risk: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
The risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's nu…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
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 Equinox or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Equinox has far fewer complaints per year (about 205 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), suggesting it may be less troublesome overall. However, both have serious safety-related complaints, so the difference means you'll likely face fewer repair visits with the Equinox, but you still need to check for recalls and inspect critical systems.
Key differences
- The Equinox averages about 205 complaints per year; the F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a five-fold difference.
- Equinox owners report brake failure and engine stalling; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls vs. 33 for the Equinox, meaning more potential safety fixes to track.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the F-150 has more (330 vs. 126), though it also sells in higher volumes.
- Check for brake pedal feel—if it goes to the floor or feels spongy, it could indicate a brake system failure reported by owners.
- Listen for engine stalling or hesitation during test drive, especially during acceleration, which may point to fuel pump issues.
- Test the transmission for harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear, as these are common power train complaints.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any cracks or signs of shattering, which owners have reported.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to confirm all recalls are repaired.
- Take a long test drive including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission or brake issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical systems for the specific problems noted.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if known issues like fuel pump or lead frame have been addressed.
- Check for warning lights on the dashboard and ensure they illuminate and go off as expected.
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 Equinox | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82 | 35 |
| 2025 | 228 | 345 |
| 2024 | 79 | 638 |
| 2023 | 95 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 173 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 96 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 309 | 44 |
| 2019 | 302 | 52 |
| 2018 | 408 | 79 |
| 2017 | 273 | 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 Equinox or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Equinox vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 2,045
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 204.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN