Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Charger vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Charger 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
Dodge Charger vs FORD F 150: The Charger averages 54.9 complaints per year with 32 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related reports versus 36 for the Charger. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Charger or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a large sedan that averages about 55 complaints per year over the past decade, with 32 recalls and 36 crash-related reports. Owners frequently write about electrical gremlins, airbag concerns, and engine quirks. While it has far fewer complaints than the Ford F-150, the pattern suggests a car that can develop nagging electronic and safety-system issues as it ages.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 1,162 complaints per year, with 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. Power train and electrical problems dominate owner reports, often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. The sheer volume of complaints means a used F-150 demands careful inspection, especially of its transmission and electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Charger | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 549 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 31 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.
Dodge Charger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM168
- 02AIR BAGS118
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER107
- 04ENGINE61
- 05POWER TRAIN56
Owners report turn signals that fail and headlights that flicker on and off, possibly from an overheating wiring harness. These issues matter because they affect visibility and signaling, which are basic safety functions.
Complaints include airbag recalls performed incorrectly, leaving headliners and mirrors hanging, and a case where the rear end locked up during steering, leading to a guardrail crash. Buyers should verify any airbag recall work was done properly.
Some owners describe surging during mild acceleration that worsens over time, and others find plastic under-engine covers and components falling off. These can signal drivability problems or missing parts that may be costly to fix.
Reports mention aggressive downshifts at gear 6 that make the car jump, which could indicate transmission issues. A buyer should test-drive at various speeds to feel for harsh shifting.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring right turn signal malfunction on my 2022 Dodge Charger SXT, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is experiencing a failure involving the right turn signal. This is concerning because the turn signal is required safety eq…”
“1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too m…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly cite lead frame failures and transmissions that go into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or fail to shift properly. These problems can strand a driver and are expensive to repair, so a pre-purchase transmission check is critical.
The same lead frame issue often appears as an electrical fault, and some report rear window defroster shorts that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, adding ownership frustration.
A specific complaint describes the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. This is a rare but serious safety concern that buyers should be aware of.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though sample texts focus on other areas. Buyers should check all lights, including brake and turn signals, for proper function.
“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.
Dodge Charger — 32 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z68.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB5. This…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
The risk: An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
The risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for thi…
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
Dodge Charger or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Charger has far fewer issues per year (about 55 complaints) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162 complaints). In practice, this means a used Charger is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, while an F-150 may require more frequent repairs, especially to its transmission and electrical systems.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 20 times more complaints per year than the Dodge Charger, with power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures frequently reported.
- Dodge Charger complaints often center on electrical glitches (turn signals, headlights) and airbag recall workmanship, while F-150 complaints heavily feature transmission and electrical failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 32 for the Charger, meaning more potential safety fixes to verify on the truck.
- Both have 1 death reported, but the F-150 has 330 crash-related reports compared to 36 for the Charger, reflecting its much larger complaint volume.
- Test the turn signals and headlights thoroughly, including high beams, for flickering or failure, as owners report wiring harness overheating.
- Ask for proof that any airbag recall was completed correctly and check that the headliner, rearview mirror, and sunglass holder are secure, since improper repairs have been reported.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission going into limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, or failing to shift, which are common lead frame symptoms.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster briefly to ensure it works without issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been addressed, especially airbag and transmission software updates.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, electrical system, and any signs of prior accident damage.
- Test-drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to check for harsh shifting, surging, or warning lights.
- For the F-150, specifically ask about lead frame replacement history and any transmission repairs; for the Charger, check turn signals and headlight operation.
- Verify that recall repairs were done by a qualified dealer and ask for documentation, as improper airbag work has been reported on the Charger.
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 | Dodge Charger | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 35 |
| 2025 | 39 | 345 |
| 2024 | 1 | 638 |
| 2023 | 26 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 16 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 35 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 57 | 44 |
| 2019 | 120 | 52 |
| 2018 | 122 | 79 |
| 2017 | 128 | 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 Dodge Charger or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Charger vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Charger total complaints
- 549
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge Charger total recalls
- 32
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge Charger avg complaints/year
- 54.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Charger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN