Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Crossfire vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler Crossfire 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 Crossfire vs FORD F 150: The Crossfire has 708 complaints over 5 years (142/year) and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The Crossfire's main issue is rear glass falling out; the F-150's is transmission problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Crossfire or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire is a low-volume sports car, so you'll see fewer complaints overall—708 over five years, about 142 per year. But the pattern is troubling: many owners report the rear glass falling out of convertible tops, often held only by the defogger cord, and this can damage electrical parts. There are also electrical gremlins and airbag inflator recalls. With only 2 recalls and 0 deaths reported, it's not a high-fatality vehicle, but the structural and visibility issues are common and expensive.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is America's best-selling truck, and with over 11,000 complaints in ten years (about 1,131 per year), it's clear that many owners experience problems. The most common complaints involve the transmission—hard shifts, delayed engagement, and even sudden loss of power—along with electrical glitches like camera malfunctions and battery cable issues. There are also 145 recalls, covering everything from headlights to engines. While the F-150 is capable, the high complaint volume means you should budget for potential repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Crossfire | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 708 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 141.6 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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 Crossfire
- 01STRUCTURE227
- 02VISIBILITY176
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER130
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM111
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER97
Owners of Crossfire convertibles report the rear glass falling out of the top, sometimes completely except for the defogger cord. This can damage nearby computers and is a safety hazard because it impairs rear visibility.
Complaints about the rear window detaching or shattering are common, often while driving. This is not just a cosmetic issue—it can distract the driver and leave the cabin exposed to weather.
Similar to visibility, the rear glass can fall into the car, held only by the defroster cord. Owners describe scraping noises before the glass drops, which is a clear sign of adhesive failure.
Some owners report airbag recall issues, where the failed part wasn't covered by the recall repair. Electrical problems can also stem from water damage when the rear glass fails, affecting computers.
“I OWN TWO CROSSFIRE CONVERTIBLES; A 2005 AND 2007. IN 2010 MY GLASS FELL OUT OF MY REAR TOP IN THE 2005 CROSSFIRE AT THE AIRPORT . WHEN I GOT BACK IT HAD FALLEN COMPLETELY OUT EXCEPT FOR THE CORD CONNECTING THE DEFOGGER. THIS DAMAGED A COMPUTER PART WHICH COS…”
“I'M "COPYING/PASTING" SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS AS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING! I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER, 2013 AND HAVE JUST NOW EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO DONE AN ONLINE SEARCH & CAME ACROSS THIS SITE W/OTHER COMP…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many F-150 owners report hard or delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission. Some experience sudden loss of power or violent jerking, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Common complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These electronic glitches can affect driver-assist features and may require dealer visits.
Headlight issues are frequently reported, and there are recalls for exterior lighting. Faulty headlights reduce nighttime visibility and can lead to safety risks.
Engine problems appear in complaints and recalls, though less frequently than transmission issues. Symptoms can include rough running or stalling, which may leave you stranded.
“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 Crossfire — 2 recalls
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Mati…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz…
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Mati…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz…
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 Crossfire or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Crossfire has far fewer complaints per year (about 142) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131). In practice, this means you're less likely to encounter frequent problems with the Crossfire, but when issues occur—like the rear glass falling out—they can be severe and costly. The F-150's higher volume means more widespread issues, especially with the transmission, so expect more potential repair visits.
Key differences
- The Crossfire's most common complaint is the rear glass falling out of convertible tops, while the F-150's top issue is transmission problems like hard shifts and power loss.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus only 2 for the Crossfire, indicating a much wider range of potential safety fixes.
- The Crossfire averages about 142 complaints per year; the F-150 averages about 1,131 per year, showing a big difference in reported problem frequency.
- Electrical issues appear in both, but the F-150's include driver-assist warnings, while the Crossfire's often stem from water damage after glass failure.
- Inspect the convertible top's rear glass for any signs of separation or loose adhesive—this is a frequent failure that can damage electronics.
- Check for electrical gremlins, especially after water exposure, and confirm that any airbag recalls have been properly addressed.
- Test-drive the truck extensively, focusing on transmission shifts between gears—look for jerking, clunking, or delayed engagement.
- Check for dashboard warning lights related to cameras or pre-collision assist, as these are common electrical complaints.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls (especially airbag for Crossfire, various for F-150) have been completed.
- For the Crossfire, inspect the convertible top and rear window seals; for the F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and gear changes to feel for transmission issues in the F-150.
- Have a mechanic check the electrical system and battery cables, as both vehicles have electrical complaints.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been remedied by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
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 Crossfire or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Crossfire vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Crossfire total complaints
- 708
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chrysler Crossfire total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chrysler Crossfire avg complaints/year
- 141.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Chrysler Crossfire top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN