Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler LHS vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler LHS 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 LHS vs FORD F 150: The LHS averages 61 complaints per year with 8 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 per year with 151 recalls. The LHS suffers dashboard cracks and steering issues; the F-150 is plagued by transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler LHS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler LHS
The Chrysler LHS is a large sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with as it ages. The complaint rate is relatively low at about 61 per year, but the pattern shows chronic problems with the dashboard cracking, steering noises, and airbag clock springs. Recalls for seat recliners and structural frame issues add to the ownership burden, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—over 1,100 per year—but that's partly because it's one of the best-selling vehicles in the country. The dominant theme is power train trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, along with electrical glitches. Recalls are frequent, covering engines, seat belts, and airbags, so checking for completed recall work is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler LHS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 122 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 61.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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.
Chrysler LHS
- 01STRUCTURE25
- 02STEERING24
- 03AIR BAGS17
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
Owners report dashboard cracks that start as small slits and grow across the passenger side, sometimes right above the airbag. This matters because it can affect airbag deployment and is expensive to fix properly.
Complaints include popping noises when turning and a speedometer sensor failure that forces the car into a 25-mph limp mode. These issues can leave you stranded or make steering feel unpredictable.
The airbag clock spring is a recurring defect, according to owners, which can disable the horn and airbag. This is a safety concern that may not be covered by a recall.
The speedometer sensor failure is also filed under electrical, causing the car to drop into a safety mode. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and costly to repair.
“ONE CRACK STARTED OUT AS 2" LONG HAIRLINE, BUT HAVE GOTTEN BIGGER AND NOW IT IS ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. AND RIGHT BELOW IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY AIRBAG. HAVE CALLED SEVERAL PLACES TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET IT FIXED/ REPLACED - TH…”
“SPLITTING DASHBOARD I NOTICED THAT IS WAS A SLIGHT SLIT IN THE DASHBOARD THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IT STARTED GETTING BIGGER, AS TIME WENT ON IT HAS GOTTEN ALMOST HALF FOOT LONG. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IT CRACKED AGAIN IN THE SAME SPOT, I TRIED TO REPAIR IT M…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These are serious and can leave you in a dangerous situation on the road.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can be intermittent and frustrating to trace.
One owner reported the rear window shattering after using the defroster, suggesting a possible defect. Such unpredictable failures are hard to anticipate but worth noting.
This is a top complaint area, though specific details aren't in the sample. Lighting failures can affect visibility and safety, so check all lights carefully.
“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.
Chrysler LHS — 8 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
The risk: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD C…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
The risk: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD C…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. O…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES (NON-SUNROOF ONLY) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD WERE TO CONTACT THE B-PILLAR.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A STORAGE BIN ACCESSORY UNIT THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE B-PILLAR ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER WISHES, THE DEALER CAN PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 17, 2001. O…
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
Chrysler LHS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler LHS has far fewer complaints per year (61 vs. 1,162), but the Ford F-150's higher volume is partly due to its massive sales. In practice, the LHS may have fewer overall issues, but the F-150's problems are more frequently related to power train and electrical systems that can be costly.
Key differences
- The LHS has chronic dashboard cracking and airbag clock spring complaints, while the F-150 is dominated by transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 8 for the LHS, so verifying recall completion is more involved on the Ford.
- The LHS's steering complaints include a speedometer sensor that triggers limp mode, whereas the F-150's limp mode is often transmission-related.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but that's expected given its popularity; the LHS's issues are fewer but still safety-relevant.
- Inspect the dashboard for cracks, especially near the passenger airbag, as owners report these spreading and being difficult to repair.
- Test the steering for popping noises and ensure the speedometer works correctly, as a failed sensor can cause limp mode.
- Check for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode during a test drive, as these are common power train complaints.
- Verify that all recalls, especially those for the lead frame and software updates, have been performed by a dealer.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are addressed, especially for the F-150.
- During a test drive, listen for steering pops in the LHS and feel for transmission slipping in the F-150.
- Inspect the LHS dashboard for cracks and the F-150 rear window for signs of stress or shattering.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored codes, particularly for the F-150's transmission and the LHS's speed sensor.
- Check the airbag system on both vehicles, including the clock spring on the LHS, to ensure no warning lights are on.
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 LHS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler LHS vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler LHS total complaints
- 122
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chrysler LHS total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chrysler LHS avg complaints/year
- 61.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler LHS
- Chrysler LHS top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN