Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Cirrus vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler Cirrus 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
Chrysler Cirrus vs FORD F 150: The Cirrus averages 53.5 complaints per year, with steering and brake failures posing fire and accident risks. The F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints per year, mainly for transmission hard shifts and electrical glitches. The F-150 has 145 recalls, the Cirrus 9. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Cirrus or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Cirrus
The Chrysler Cirrus, a mid-size sedan from the late 1990s and early 2000s, shows a reliability profile dominated by steering and brake system failures. Owners report power steering hose leaks that can lead to fires, and brake line collapses that cause rear brakes to stay engaged, leading to premature pad and caliper wear. Electrical issues, including stalling and fires, add to the concern. With an average of 53.5 complaints per year, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection and maintenance.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging 1,131.1 per year over a decade, but this is partly due to its popularity. The most frequent issues are in the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners report for hard shifts, jerking, and sudden power loss. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. While the F-150 has more recalls, its issues are more about drivability and convenience than immediate safety hazards like fires.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Cirrus | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 107 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 18 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 53.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 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.
Chrysler Cirrus
- 01STEERING30
- 02SERVICE BRAKES16
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 04HYDRAULIC15
- 05AIR BAGS10
Owners report power steering hose failures that can leak fluid and cause fires, as well as complete power steering loss while driving. These issues can lead to sudden loss of control and fire risk.
Brake lines are prone to collapse, causing rear brakes to stay engaged, leading to premature wear of pads and calipers. In some cases, both service and emergency brakes failed, resulting in accidents.
The vehicle can stall on the highway and restart on its own, posing a crash risk. There are also reports of engine compartment fires that melt components, sometimes linked to steering recalls.
Hydraulic issues are often related to brake lines and power steering, with failures leading to loss of braking or steering assist. These are critical safety systems.
“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM CHRYSLER. THE RECALL WAS FOR A HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. SMITH CHRYSLER MADE THE REPAIR ON 07-06-06. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS WERE SLIPPING AND MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. LATER THA…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER CIRRUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, RAISED THE HOOD, AND A FIRE IGNITED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND A REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED TO PICK UP HIS…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, and occasional loss of power. Some owners report the vehicle shutting off and restarting, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Owners report recurring warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability, which can disable safety features. These issues appear soon after starting the vehicle.
Headlight problems are common, which can reduce visibility at night and increase the risk of accidents.
Engine issues are less frequent but still notable, with some owners reporting stalling or other performance problems.
“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.
Chrysler Cirrus — 9 recalls
The defect: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SO…
The risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
The defect: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HO…
The risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
The defect: IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY…
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
The risk: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
Chrysler Cirrus or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Cirrus has far fewer complaints per year (53.5) than the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but its issues are more likely to be safety-critical, such as fires and brake failures. The F-150's problems, while more numerous, are often related to transmission drivability and electronic glitches. In practice, the Cirrus requires more urgent attention to safety systems, while the F-150 may need transmission repairs or software updates.
Key differences
- The Cirrus has a higher proportion of steering and brake failures, including fire risks, while the F-150's top issue is transmission shifting problems.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its popularity; the Cirrus's complaints are fewer but more severe in nature.
- The Cirrus's electrical issues can cause stalling and fires, whereas the F-150's electrical problems are more about warning lights and sensor malfunctions.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145) than the Cirrus (9), but the Cirrus's recalls include critical steering hose and suspension components.
- Inspect the power steering hose for leaks or signs of repair; a leaking hose can lead to a fire.
- Check the rear brake lines for corrosion or collapse; if they are failing, the rear brakes may drag, causing premature wear.
- Test drive the F-150 and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears; hard shifts or jerking are common complaints.
- Check for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision assist; these systems may be malfunctioning.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the Cirrus's power steering system and brake lines for leaks or corrosion.
- For the F-150, check the transmission fluid condition and look for any service records related to transmission repairs.
- Ask for the recall history and ensure all outstanding recalls are performed on both vehicles.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds to feel for any stalling, shifting issues, or brake dragging.
- Check the electrical systems: on the Cirrus, look for signs of previous fires or melted components; on the F-150, verify all camera and sensor warnings are clear.
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 Chrysler Cirrus or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Cirrus vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Cirrus total complaints
- 107
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chrysler Cirrus total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chrysler Cirrus avg complaints/year
- 53.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Cirrus
- Chrysler Cirrus top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN