Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Voyager vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler Voyager 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 Voyager vs FORD F 150: The Voyager averages 7.2 complaints per year with 38 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints and 151 recalls. The Voyager's top issues are electrical and steering failures; the F-150's are power train and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Voyager or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Voyager
The Chrysler Voyager is a minivan that averages about 7 complaints per year over a decade, with 38 recalls. Owners most often report electrical and steering failures that can cause the van to shut down or lose steering assist, plus airbag warning lights. These issues can leave you stranded or facing costly repairs, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—about 1,162 per year—and 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train (transmission and lead frame) and electrical system, with reports of limp mode, harsh shifting, and sudden electrical faults. While many trucks serve reliably, the volume of complaints means buyers should check for transmission and electrical fixes before buying.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Voyager | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 72 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 Voyager
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 02STEERING12
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04ENGINE8
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
Owners report sudden electrical failures where the steering stops working, warning lights flash, wipers turn on, and the van dies, requiring a tow. This can happen while driving, creating a serious safety risk.
The steering wheel can stick when exiting a turn or feel vague on straight roads, making it hard to steer precisely. Drivers may overcorrect, which increases crash risk.
The airbag warning light may come on intermittently and then stay lit, often accompanied by cruise control issues. This means the airbag may not deploy in a crash, so it needs immediate attention.
Some owners experience unintended acceleration or erratic cruise control behavior, such as the engine revving and speeding up on downhill grades. These issues can surprise the driver and lead to loss of control.
“I was turning left into a parking lot when my 2020 Voyager steering stopped working while it started to show all warning lights and the wipers went on, then it went dead, had to be towed on a flatbed to the dealership, and after 4 weeks with no solution in si…”
“I AM FROM OHIO. I WAS ON A FAMILY VACATION WITH MY FAMILY OF 5 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. I WENT TO GET IN MY 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENERS WOULD NOT WORK WITH THE REMOTE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED I HAD NO…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The transmission often goes into limp mode, sticks in 5th gear, or fails to shift properly, sometimes due to a faulty lead frame. This can happen daily and may leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Electrical gremlins include lead frame failures that cause the truck to enter limp mode, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass. These faults can disable the vehicle or create a safety hazard.
Owners report the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, likely due to a short. This is a sudden and dangerous failure that can injure passengers.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting frequent bulb or housing failures that affect visibility and safety.
“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 Voyager — 38 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "W…
The risk: A windshield that detaches from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 30, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 25B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The traction control system (TCS) does not function when cruise control is activated.
The risk: An inactive traction control system can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the TCS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 22B.
The defect: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2024 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The seat limiter may not have been installed, allowing the seat to move too far forward. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occ…
The risk: A seat positioned too close to the air bag can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and install a seat limiter as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
The defect: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The spring inside the front seat harness connector may contact electrical terminals.
The risk: The unintended connection may prevent the air bags from deploying, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 16, 2026. Owners may contact Braun's customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
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 Voyager or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Voyager has far fewer complaints per year (7.2 vs. 1,162.1) and fewer recalls (38 vs. 151), but its issues often involve sudden loss of steering or electrical power. The Ford F-150's higher volume means transmission and electrical problems are more widespread, but many are addressed by recalls. In practice, the Voyager may be less likely to leave you stranded, but when it fails, it can be severe.
Key differences
- The Chrysler Voyager averages 7.2 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Voyager owners report sudden electrical failures that kill steering and power, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that cause harsh shifting or stalling.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to the Voyager's 4 crash-related and 2 injuries, indicating a higher volume of severe incidents.
- Both have airbag and electrical issues, but the Voyager's airbag light problems are more about warning lights, while the F-150's include rear window shattering from defroster shorts.
- Check for any history of steering sticking or loss of power steering assist—test drive at low speeds and during turns.
- Look for airbag warning lights that stay on or flicker, and verify if the airbag system has been repaired.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, delayed engagement, or sticking in gear—especially during uphill and downhill driving.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of overheating or previous shattering, and check for electrical gremlins like flickering lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the F-150's transmission and electrical recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Chrysler Voyager's electrical system, steering column, and airbag sensors for signs of failure.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission error codes, test drive in various conditions, and check the rear window and defroster operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and electrical repairs.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or hesitation in acceleration or shifting.
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 Voyager | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 1 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 16 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 13 | 44 |
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 Voyager or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Voyager vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Voyager total complaints
- 72
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chrysler Voyager total recalls
- 38
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chrysler Voyager avg complaints/year
- 7.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Voyager
- Chrysler Voyager top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN