Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Impala vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Impala 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 Impala vs FORD F 150: The Impala averaged 230 complaints per year with 23 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150's top issue is power train failures like limp mode; the Impala's is electrical and steering problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Impala or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan that averaged 230 complaints per year over a decade, with 23 recalls. Owners most often report electrical and steering problems, including sudden power loss and steering assist failure. These issues can leave a driver struggling to control the car, so a used Impala needs a careful electrical and steering check.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged 1,162 complaints per year, with 151 recalls. The dominant complaint area is the power train, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Electrical problems, including a rear window defroster short that shattered glass, are also reported. This truck has a much higher complaint volume, so buyers should expect more frequent repair attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Impala | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,300 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 112 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 230.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 97 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 Impala
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM590
- 02ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)430
- 03STEERING341
- 04ENGINE322
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER295
Owners report the engine light coming on, the car losing all power and shutting off while turning, and steering assist cutting out. These failures can happen without warning, making the car hard to steer and control.
With 430 complaints, ESC issues are a top concern. While specific owner text is not provided, the high count suggests buyers should test the stability control system and watch for warning lights.
Drivers describe the steering wheel locking up randomly and the car feeling like it has a mind of its own on curves. Steering assist can also fail, making the wheel very hard to turn.
Complaints include the parking brake releasing on its own and undisclosed accident damage leading to burst transmission cooler lines and airbag light issues. These can mean costly repairs and safety concerns.
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON, CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND TURNED OFF DURING AS I TURNED RIGHT AT A LIGHT, HAD ONSTAR RUN DIAGNOSTICS, CODE INVOLVED THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, WAS ADVISED TO FILL UP WITH HIGH QUALITY FUEL, AND DRIVE WITH THE GAS CAP OFF TO…”
“As I was driving home from my place of employment which is exactly 30 miles from where I live my Steering Assist went out and it was very hard to steer and to even stay in the lane which I was driving I managed to get the car home and did an under carriage in…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the truck going into limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These transmission problems happen often and can leave you stranded or in danger.
The same lead frame issue affects electrical components, and one owner reported a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode. Electrical faults can be unpredictable and expensive.
This category includes the rear window shattering due to a defroster short. Such failures are hard to predict and can be a safety hazard.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common. While specific text is not given, buyers should check all lights and watch for recurring bulb or wiring issues.
“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 Impala — 23 recalls
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 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: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 15, 2012, to May 30, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these veh…
The risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). G…
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 Impala or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Impala has far fewer complaints per year (230 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150). In practice, that means an Impala owner is likely to face fewer reported problems overall, while an F-150 owner may deal with more frequent repairs, especially to the transmission and electrical system.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about five times as many complaints per year as the Chevrolet Impala (1,162 vs. 230).
- The F-150's top issue is the power train, with owners reporting limp mode and lead frame failures; the Impala's top issue is electrical, with sudden power loss and steering assist failure.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 23 for the Impala, meaning more safety campaigns to track.
- The Impala has 0 reported deaths in the data, while the F-150 has 1 death and more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 112).
- Check for any signs of electrical gremlins: flickering lights, warning messages, or a history of power loss. Test the steering assist at low speeds and listen for odd noises.
- Inspect the steering system for lock-up or stiffness, and ask if the electronic stability control has ever been repaired.
- Test drive the truck through all gears and watch for harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in 5th gear. Ask if the lead frame or transmission has been replaced.
- Check the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of overheating, and verify all exterior lights work.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and look for undisclosed accident damage, especially on the Impala.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, particularly for transmission, electrical, and steering systems.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to check for limp mode, steering lock-up, and power loss.
- Verify that all open recalls have been performed by checking the NHTSA recall database with the VIN.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster on the F-150, and the parking brake and airbag system on the Impala.
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 Impala | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 44 |
| 2019 | 28 | 52 |
| 2018 | 59 | 79 |
| 2017 | 116 | 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 Impala 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 Impala 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 Impala vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Impala total complaints
- 2,300
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Impala total recalls
- 23
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Impala avg complaints/year
- 230.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Impala
- Chevrolet Impala top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN