Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Metro vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Metro 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 Metro vs FORD F 150: The Metro has 3 complaints and 0 recalls over 2 years, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls over 10 years. The F-150 also has 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Metro or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Metro
The Chevrolet Metro is a small, older car with very few complaints on file—just 3 over 2 years. Owners mainly report rust in the structure, like corrosion under the doors and on the rocker panels, which can weaken the car over time. There is also one report of sudden acceleration at low speed that led to a crash into a garage. With no recalls, the main concern is age-related wear and tear.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of complaints—over 11,000 in 10 years—and 145 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train (transmission) and electrical system, with many owners describing hard shifts, loss of power, and warning lights. There are also hundreds of crash-related complaints and one death reported. This suggests that while popular, the F-150 can have serious reliability issues that require attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Metro | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 287 |
| 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 Metro
- 01STRUCTURE2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
Owners report rust and corrosion under the rear doors and on the rocker panels beneath the front doors. This can weaken the car's body and is expensive to repair, so check these areas carefully.
One owner said the car accelerated on its own while pulling into a driveway at about 3 mph, causing a crash into a garage door and wall. This is a rare but serious safety concern.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET METRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION UNDER THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR ASSEMBLY WOULD HA…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET METRO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ROCKER PANELS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS EXHIBITED RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners complain of hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This can be dangerous if it happens in traffic and may require costly transmission repairs.
Owners report issues like warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, as well as loud bangs and popping sounds from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can affect safety features and are frustrating to diagnose.
There are over 1,100 complaints about exterior lighting, often headlights. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, so check that all lights work properly.
With 847 complaints, engine problems are also common. Owners may experience stalling, rough running, or other engine-related failures that can be expensive to fix.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 Metro
No recalls on record.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Metro or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Metro has far fewer issues per year (1.5 vs. 1,131.1 for the F-150), but it is an older, simpler vehicle with mostly rust and one speed control complaint. The F-150's much higher complaint rate means you are more likely to encounter transmission, electrical, and other problems that could be costly and dangerous.
Key differences
- The Chevrolet Metro has only 3 complaints and no recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls.
- Metro owners report rust and one sudden acceleration incident; F-150 owners report transmission jerking, loss of power, and electrical glitches.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death, compared to 1 crash-related complaint and no injuries or deaths for the Metro.
- The Metro's issues are mostly age-related (rust), while the F-150's issues often involve complex systems like the transmission and electronics.
- Check for rust under the rear doors and on the rocker panels—these are common complaint areas and can indicate structural weakness.
- Test the accelerator pedal for any sticking or sudden acceleration, especially at low speeds, as one owner reported a crash.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts—jerking, clunking, or delayed engagement are common complaints.
- Check for warning lights on the dashboard, especially for front camera and pre-collision assist, as these are frequently reported electrical issues.
Before you buy
- For the Chevrolet Metro: inspect the underbody and door bottoms for rust; repair costs can exceed the car's value.
- For the Ford F-150: get a mechanic to scan for transmission and electrical fault codes, even if no warning lights are on.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150, as neglect can worsen shifting problems.
- Test drive both vehicles on highways and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission issues or hesitation.
- Check for open recalls on the Ford F-150 by using the VIN on NHTSA's website—145 recalls mean some may not have been fixed.
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 Metro or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Metro vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Metro total complaints
- 3
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chevrolet Metro total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chevrolet Metro avg complaints/year
- 1.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Metro
- Chevrolet Metro top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN