Head-to-head reliability
Daewoo Nubira vs FORD F 150
How the Daewoo Nubira 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 Nubira vs FORD F 150: The Nubira has 436 complaints over 3 years (145.3/year) and 9 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The Nubira's issues are often severe, like engine fires and brake failure, but the F-150 has more widespread problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Daewoo Nubira or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Daewoo Nubira
The Daewoo Nubira is a compact car from a brand that left the U.S. market, so parts and dealer support are scarce. Owners report serious engine and brake problems, including engine fires and brake pedals going to the floor. With 436 complaints over 3 years and 9 recalls, it's a high-maintenance vehicle with safety concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base and many complaints, but also many recalls. Common issues include transmission problems, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. With 11,621 complaints over 10 years, it's not trouble-free, but support and parts 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 Nubira | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 436 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 145.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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 Nubira
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING281
- 02SERVICE BRAKES101
- 03HYDRAULIC97
- 04SUSPENSION33
- 05AIR BAGS12
Owners report engine fires, sometimes after regular maintenance, and check engine lights from camshaft sensor defects. These can lead to total loss and are a major safety risk.
Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor and the vehicle continuing to accelerate, requiring emergency brake use. This indicates a dangerous brake failure that could cause crashes.
Hydraulic brake issues mirror service brake complaints, with pedal going to the floor and loss of braking. Owners also note lack of dealer support for recalls, leaving repairs unresolved.
Front lower control arm bushings fail, causing unstable steering and jerking at low speeds. Owners fear this could lead to steering failure and crashes.
“UNTIL 1:30 P.M. TODAY (JUNE 3, 2004), I THOUGHT MY 2002 DAEWOO NUBIRA WAS A GOD-SENT BECAUSE OF ITS EXCELLENT GAS ECONOMY (~30 MPG). THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS AFTERNOON AND NOW IT'S A PIECE OF JUNK. I HAVE BEEN DOING MY OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES AND SO…”
“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN DIAGNOSED IT WAS RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A RECALL REGARDING MY VEHICLE MODEL ON THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR W…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission problems are common, including limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame issues that can cause sudden downshifts. These can lead to near-collisions and expensive repairs.
Electrical gremlins include lead frame failures and output speed sensor errors, triggering limp mode. These issues are recurring and may not be fully fixed by recalls.
Rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter unexpectedly. This is a safety hazard and costly to repair.
While not detailed in sample complaints, exterior lighting issues are frequently reported, which can 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.
Daewoo Nubira — 9 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: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE OUTER RUBBER LAYER OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE(S).
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND LOSS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW REDESIGNED FRONT BRAKE HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 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 REASONABLE…
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…
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 Nubira or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Daewoo Nubira has far fewer complaints per year (145.3) than the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), but its issues are often severe and lack dealer support. The F-150 has more complaints but better parts availability and a larger support network. In practice, the Nubira may be riskier due to unresolved safety defects.
Key differences
- The Nubira has engine fire and brake failure complaints, while the F-150's main issues are transmission and electrical problems.
- Daewoo no longer has U.S. dealers, making recall repairs difficult; Ford has a vast dealer network.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 9 for the Nubira, but many F-150 recalls address common issues.
- Nubira complaints are concentrated in engine and brakes, while F-150 complaints span power train, electrical, and other systems.
- Check for any signs of engine fire damage or recall work on the camshaft position sensor.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for a spongy pedal or sinking to the floor, and inspect brake lines for leaks.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or stuck gears.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of defroster damage, and test the defroster function.
Before you buy
- Verify all recalls have been performed, especially for the Nubira's engine and brakes, and the F-150's transmission and electrical systems.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on known problem areas.
- Check for a complete service history, especially oil changes and transmission maintenance.
- For the Nubira, confirm availability of parts and a mechanic willing to work on it.
- For the F-150, scan for stored trouble codes related to transmission and electrical systems.
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 Nubira or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Daewoo Nubira vs FORD F 150
- Daewoo Nubira total complaints
- 436
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Daewoo Nubira total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Daewoo Nubira avg complaints/year
- 145.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Daewoo Nubira
- Daewoo Nubira top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN