Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Spark vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark vs FORD F 150: The Spark has 527 complaints over 10 years (about 53 per year), while the F-150 has 11,621 (about 1,162 per year). The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 19 for the Spark. Both have power train and electrical issues, but the F-150's are more frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Spark or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is a subcompact car with a relatively low complaint volume: 527 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 53 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and electrical system, with brakes and air bags also drawing attention. Owner reports describe transmission issues, engine replacements, and brake problems that can be alarming. While it has fewer complaints than the F-150, the Spark still has notable reliability concerns that a used buyer should investigate.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint count: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical system complaints dominate, often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Recalls are frequent (151), and there are reports of crashes, injuries, and one death. Living with an F-150 means staying on top of recalls and being alert to transmission and electrical gremlins.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Spark | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 527 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 48 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 52.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 46 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 Spark
- 01POWER TRAIN127
- 02ENGINE112
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM100
- 04SERVICE BRAKES65
- 05AIR BAGS60
Owners report transmission problems, including rough shifting and indecision, with some saying the 2017 Spark exhibits the same issues as other model years. These complaints matter because a failing transmission can leave you stranded or lead to costly repairs.
Some owners describe severe mechanical and electrical issues discovered soon after purchase, and one report mentions the engine needing replacement. Engine trouble is a major expense and can make the car unreliable for daily driving.
Complaints include breakdowns traced to electrical faults, with one owner reporting an engine replacement after a breakdown. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and may cause intermittent no-starts or other frustrating problems.
Owners report loud noises when braking and a feeling that the car won't stop, as well as a loss of brake vacuum making the pedal extremely hard to push. Brake issues are a serious safety concern and should be inspected immediately.
“I lease a car through Carvana, and they informed me that the car was safe and properly inspected. In the first 2 weeks, I took the Chevrolet to a certified dealership for a routine inspection. I was informed that the vehicle has severe mechanical and electric…”
“I feel that there are issues with the transmissions on the 2017 Chevy spark. I noticed that there have been complaints in years such as 2014 and 2019. I find that my 2017 exhibits exact same transmission issues as years that came before or after. Lots of inde…”
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 can happen daily and may require expensive repairs, making the truck unreliable.
Complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, as well as a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can lead to sudden loss of power and safety risks.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward due to a defroster short, with no external cause. This kind of unpredictable failure is dangerous and costly to fix.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific owner reports are not detailed here. Lighting failures can affect visibility and safety, and may be a recurring annoyance.
“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 Spark — 19 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
The risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-22…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these veh…
The risk: In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17199.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Spark vehicles. In the event of a crash, if a young child is seated improperly and not wearing a seat belt while in the front passenger seat, deployment of the front passenger air bag may injure the occupant's neck. As such, these veh…
The risk: In the event of a crash with a frontal air bag deployment, an unbelted child in the front passenger seat has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17199.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leave…
The risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 45340.
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 Spark or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Spark has far fewer complaints per year (about 53) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), meaning you're less likely to encounter problems with the Spark. However, the F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and the fact that many more are on the road. In practice, the Spark may be simpler to own, but the F-150's issues are more frequently reported and can be severe.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 20 times more complaints per year than the Chevrolet Spark, with power train and electrical issues being especially common.
- Spark owners report transmission, engine, and brake problems, while F-150 owners describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical shorts.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 19 for the Spark, meaning more frequent trips to the dealer for safety fixes.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 48 crashes and 46 injuries for the Spark, indicating a higher reported rate of serious incidents.
- Check for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or rough shifting during a test drive, as owners report these symptoms.
- Listen for loud noises when braking and test the brake pedal for firmness; a hard pedal could indicate a vacuum loss.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, getting stuck in gear, or harsh shifts, especially during highway driving.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting, and ask if the window has ever shattered unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, engine, and electrical system.
- During the test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior, brake feel, and any warning lights.
- For the F-150, specifically test the rear defroster and listen for any electrical oddities.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or engine repairs.
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 Spark | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 6 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 19 | 44 |
| 2019 | 14 | 52 |
| 2018 | 9 | 79 |
| 2017 | 29 | 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 Spark 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 Spark 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 Spark vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Spark total complaints
- 527
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Spark total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Spark avg complaints/year
- 52.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Spark
- Chevrolet Spark top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN