Head-to-head reliability
Daewoo Leganza vs FORD F 150
How the Daewoo Leganza 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 Leganza vs FORD F 150: the Leganza averages about 122 complaints per year over 3 years, while the F-150 averages about 1,162 per year over 10 years. The Leganza's complaints concentrate on engine and brake lockup, the F-150's on transmission limp mode and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Daewoo Leganza or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Daewoo Leganza
The Daewoo Leganza is a discontinued sedan with a very small complaint pool—366 over three years—but the pattern is concentrated: over 80% of complaints are engine-related, mostly tied to a camshaft position sensor recall that owners say caused check-engine lights and burning smells. Brake complaints describe ABS lights and front wheels locking, including one reported crash. With only 8 recalls and limited parts support for a defunct brand, living with a Leganza means chasing unresolved safety recalls and scarce service options.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a massive complaint pool—11,621 over ten years—dominated by power train and electrical issues. Owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead-frame failures that can cause sudden downshifts or near-collisions. Electrical complaints include rear-window defroster shorts that owners say shattered the back glass. With 151 recalls, the F-150 has more campaign activity but also more documented failure patterns to check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Daewoo Leganza | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 366 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 122.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 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.
Daewoo Leganza
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING303
- 02SERVICE BRAKES27
- 03HYDRAULIC26
- 04AIR BAGS15
- 05POWER TRAIN10
Owners report the check-engine light illuminating along with a burning smell, linked to a camshaft position sensor recall. Some say the problem persisted after dealer visits, so a buyer should confirm the recall was actually performed and the light stays off.
Complaints describe the ABS light coming on and the front wheels locking during braking, including one at highway speed that ended in a front-end collision. This is a serious pattern to test on a test drive and to check for open brake-related recalls.
The same ABS-light and wheel-locking complaints appear under hydraulic, suggesting brake hydraulic or ABS module trouble. A buyer should have the ABS system scanned for stored codes before purchase.
Owners report the airbag light staying on, with one dealer saying the airbag control module needed replacement. Since airbag faults can disable protection, verify the light cycles off normally and check for open airbag recalls.
“IN SEPTEMBER 2004 I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL RELATING TO THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IN MY 2001 DAEWOO LEGANZA. THE FAULTY DEVICE WAS SUPPOSED TO CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE (WHICH IT DID), AND A BURNING SMELL AND/OR VISIBLE…”
“RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, AND A BURNING ODOR WAS SMELLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe repeated transmission limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead-frame failures that can cause sudden shifting or near-collisions. One owner said the lead-frame issue went over a decade without a proper remedy, so a buyer should test drive for harsh or delayed shifts.
The lead-frame problem also appears under electrical, along with an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode. Another owner reported a rear-window defroster short that shattered the back glass, so check rear defroster operation and scan for transmission codes.
A complaint describes the rear window exploding outward after the defroster was turned off, with no other vehicles around. This suggests a possible electrical short in the defroster circuit, so inspect the rear glass and test the defroster before buying.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area by count, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. A buyer should still check all lights, including brake and reverse lamps, and look for related recalls.
“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.
Daewoo Leganza — 8 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. 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.
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
Daewoo Leganza or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Daewoo Leganza has far fewer complaints per year (about 122) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the Leganza's small pool is heavily concentrated in engine and brake failures with limited brand support. The F-150's much larger pool reflects its huge sales volume and shows recurring transmission and electrical patterns that are well documented but not necessarily more frequent per vehicle.
Key differences
- The Leganza's complaints are dominated by engine (303 of 366) and brake/hydraulic issues, while the F-150's are dominated by power train (3,648) and electrical (2,100) problems.
- Leganza owners report ABS lights and front-wheel lockup during braking, including a reported crash; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures that can cause sudden shifting.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 8 for the Leganza, so there are more campaigns to check but also more documented remedies.
- The Leganza is a discontinued brand with scarce service support, while the F-150 is a high-volume truck with widely available parts and mechanics.
- Check that the camshaft position sensor recall was performed and that the check-engine light does not stay on with a burning smell.
- Test the brakes for ABS light illumination and any front-wheel locking, and have the ABS system scanned for stored codes.
- Test drive for transmission limp mode, delayed or harsh shifting, and stuck gears, and scan for lead-frame or output speed sensor codes.
- Operate the rear window defroster and inspect the rear glass for cracks or signs of shattering, given the reported defroster short.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm all open recalls are completed, especially the Leganza camshaft sensor and brake recalls and the F-150 transmission and airbag campaigns.
- Have a mechanic scan all computer modules for stored codes on both vehicles, focusing on ABS and airbag codes on the Leganza and transmission codes on the F-150.
- During the test drive, specifically test braking from highway speed on the Leganza and transmission shifting under light and heavy throttle on the F-150.
- Inspect the Leganza's airbag light and the F-150's rear defroster and rear glass for the reported failure patterns.
- Verify parts availability and service options for the Leganza, since the brand is discontinued, before committing to purchase.
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 Leganza or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Daewoo Leganza vs FORD F 150
- Daewoo Leganza total complaints
- 366
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Daewoo Leganza total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Daewoo Leganza avg complaints/year
- 122.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Daewoo Leganza
- Daewoo Leganza top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN