Head-to-head reliability
Daewoo Lanos vs FORD F 150
How the Daewoo Lanos 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
Daewoo Lanos vs FORD F 150: The Lanos has 369 complaints over 3 years and 15 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years and 145 recalls. Lanos owners report engine coolant leaks and brake failure, but recall repairs are often unavailable. F-150 owners report transmission jerking and electrical glitches, yet service is easy to find. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Daewoo Lanos or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Daewoo Lanos
The Daewoo Lanos is a compact car from a brand that left the U.S. market, so finding parts and recall repairs can be very hard. Owners filed 369 complaints over 3 years, with most about engine and cooling problems like coolant leaks and overheating. Air bag and brake issues also appear, including reports of the brake pedal going to the floor. With 15 recalls and limited dealer support, living with a Lanos often means struggling to get safety fixes done.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with many more complaints simply because so many were sold over 10 years. The 11,311 complaints center on power train problems, especially hard or delayed shifting and sudden loss of power. Electrical glitches like warning messages and camera failures are also common. With 145 recalls, owners should expect to stay on top of recall notices, but parts and service are widely available.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Daewoo Lanos | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 369 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 123.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
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.
Daewoo Lanos
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING242
- 02AIR BAGS75
- 03SERVICE BRAKES30
- 04HYDRAULIC29
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
Owners report coolant leaks from the intake manifold that can be hard to see because the antifreeze evaporates, leading to overheating when the temperature gauge climbs. This matters because ignoring it can cause expensive engine damage.
Complaints describe recalls for passenger air bag deployment and a camshaft position sensor, but owners often cannot find a Daewoo-authorized shop to perform the free repairs. That leaves a serious safety feature unfixed.
Some drivers report the brake pedal going to the floor without the brakes engaging, though pumping the pedal sometimes helps. One owner said this led to a crash, so any brake weirdness is a major concern.
The same intermittent brake failure is also filed under hydraulic, with the pedal sinking and a high-pitched noise when stopping or turning. These symptoms point to a brake system that may not be reliable.
“DECEMBER 2007 TOOK, CAR TO SEARS TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED. TECHNICIAN CHECKED CAR INFORMED ME INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING (EVAPORATING ANTI-FREEZE) THAT IS WHY I DIDN'T SEE IT LEAKING. TOLD ME TO HAVE FIX. 12/21/2007, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REACHING ITS HIGH P…”
“TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE 2002 DAEWOO LANOS ON 05/2006. BUT BECAME DRASTICALLY ILL FROM A HEART ATTACK AND COULDN'T HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE IMMEDIATELY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STEVE'S REPAIR IN IDAHO FALLS FOR THE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners of 10-speed automatic F-150s describe hard, delayed, or jerky shifts between gears, and some report losing all power while driving. This can be dangerous in traffic and may lead to costly transmission repairs.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission area, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These glitches can distract the driver and may affect safety systems.
Many complaints fall into this catch-all category, often describing odd noises, vibrations, or intermittent problems that are hard to pin down. For a buyer, this means some issues may be difficult to diagnose before purchase.
There are 1,164 complaints about exterior lighting, and a recall for headlights. Owners may face dim or failing lights, which hurts visibility and can be a safety risk at night.
“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.
Daewoo Lanos — 15 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOU…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SHOULD CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY ABSORBING AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A…
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
Daewoo Lanos or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Daewoo Lanos has far fewer complaints per year (123) than the Ford F-150 (1,131), but that is partly because so few Lanos were sold and the brand is gone. In practice, the F-150 has more reported issues overall, yet parts and service are easy to find, while Lanos owners often struggle to get even safety recalls fixed.
Key differences
- The Daewoo Lanos has 369 complaints over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 over 10 years, but the F-150 sold in far greater numbers.
- Lanos owners report engine coolant leaks and intermittent brake failure, while F-150 owners report transmission jerking and sudden power loss.
- Air bag recalls on the Lanos are often not repaired because no authorized service centers exist, whereas Ford has a large dealer network for recalls.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, compared to 15 recalls and 16 crash-related complaints for the Lanos.
- Check for coolant leaks or stains around the intake manifold and watch the temperature gauge for overheating on a test drive.
- Test the brakes carefully for a pedal that sinks to the floor or a high-pitched noise when stopping or turning, and ask for proof that air bag recalls were completed.
- During a test drive, feel for hard or delayed shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears, and listen for loud bangs or clunks.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and confirm all electrical features work.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle identification number (VIN) and check the NHTSA website for any open recalls on either vehicle.
- For the Daewoo Lanos, confirm that air bag and brake recalls have been repaired by a qualified shop, since Daewoo dealers are gone.
- For the Ford F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission and electrical system, including a scan for stored trouble codes.
- Test drive both vehicles in traffic and at highway speeds to reproduce shifting, braking, and warning-light issues.
- Verify that parts are available for the Daewoo Lanos by calling local salvage yards or specialty shops before buying.
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 Daewoo Lanos or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Daewoo Lanos vs FORD F 150
- Daewoo Lanos total complaints
- 369
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Daewoo Lanos total recalls
- 15
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Daewoo Lanos avg complaints/year
- 123.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Daewoo Lanos
- Daewoo Lanos top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN