Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Pacifica vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler Pacifica 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 Pacifica vs FORD F 150: The Pacifica averages about 375 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages about 1,162. Both have serious power train and electrical issues, but the F-150's higher rate suggests more frequent problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Pacifica or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that owners often rely on as a family or wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 375 complaints per year, with the most frequent issues in the engine, electrical system, and power train. Many complaints describe sudden loss of power, charging failures, and dashboard warnings, which can leave drivers stranded. These patterns suggest that while the Pacifica offers practicality, it may require more frequent attention to electrical and powertrain components.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its utility and towing capability. It averages roughly 1,162 complaints per year, with power train and electrical system issues dominating the reports. Owners frequently mention transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures, as well as electrical glitches. The high complaint volume indicates that many F-150s experience significant reliability problems, especially in older models.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Pacifica | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,753 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 91 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 119 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 375.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 97 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Pacifica
- 01ENGINE1,317
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,134
- 03POWER TRAIN999
- 04STEERING575
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER526
Owners report sudden clunking sounds, dashboard lights illuminating, and loss of power while driving. In some cases, the vehicle dies completely and requires towing, which is a major safety concern.
Complaints include charging system failures, where the van fails to charge and then shuts down. This can happen unexpectedly, leaving owners unable to start or drive the vehicle.
Drivers describe losing acceleration at highway speeds without warning, often accompanied by a beep and a message to pull over. This sudden loss of power can be dangerous in traffic.
Some owners report steering issues, though specific symptoms are less detailed in the sample. Any steering problem is critical for vehicle control and should be inspected.
“[XXX]- bought new 2025 Chrysler Pacifica w/ 29 mi at Troncalli Chrysler Dodge Jeep (TCDJ). [XXX]- 1st time -I was driving the car when it made a “clunk” sound when turning left. All the lights on the dashboard came on and the ABS system turned off.The car saf…”
“The charging system light came on. My wife went to charge at public charging station due to being close to one. After plugging in the van, it said charging failed. She unplugged the charged went to back up and the van died. Had to have it towed to dealer. Dea…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, including limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, as reported by owners.
Electrical issues often relate to the lead frame and output speed sensor, leading to limp mode and error codes. These failures can disable the vehicle unexpectedly.
Owners report bizarre issues like rear window defroster shorts causing the back window to shatter. Such defects are unpredictable and can be costly to repair.
While not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting complaints are frequent. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase accident risk, especially at night.
“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 Pacifica — 91 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention from improperly sealed seams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: An air bag with insufficient pressure retention increases the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 14, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The vehicles were built with an incorrect radio, which can cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers replaced the radio, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention from improperly sealed seams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVS…
The risk: An air bag with insufficient pressure retention increases the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 82C,…
The defect: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restrain…
The risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
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 Pacifica or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Pacifica has far fewer complaints per year (about 375) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). This means that, on average, Pacifica owners report fewer problems annually. However, both vehicles have serious issues that can affect safety and reliability, so neither should be considered trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over three times as many complaints per year as the Chrysler Pacifica, indicating a higher overall rate of owner-reported problems.
- Power train issues are the top complaint for the F-150, often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Pacifica's top issue is engine-related with sudden power loss.
- The Pacifica has a notable number of electrical system complaints tied to charging failures, which can strand the vehicle, whereas the F-150's electrical issues often relate to sensors causing limp mode.
- Both vehicles have recalls for air bags and other safety systems, but the F-150 also has recalls for seat belts and door latches, adding to potential safety concerns.
- Check for any history of charging system failures or sudden loss of power; test the charging system and battery health.
- Inspect for transmission or engine clunking noises and ensure all dashboard lights function correctly during a test drive.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode, delayed engagement, or stuck gears; scan for error codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of shorts or cracks, and check for any electrical gremlins.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, electrical system, and engine.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, warning lights, or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and software updates.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed, particularly for air bags and seat belts.
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 | Chrysler Pacifica | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | 35 |
| 2025 | 28 | 345 |
| 2024 | 43 | 638 |
| 2023 | 153 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 214 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 372 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 170 | 44 |
| 2019 | 357 | 52 |
| 2018 | 875 | 79 |
| 2017 | 1524 | 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 Chrysler Pacifica or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Pacifica vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Pacifica total complaints
- 3,753
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chrysler Pacifica total recalls
- 91
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chrysler Pacifica avg complaints/year
- 375.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Chrysler Pacifica top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN