Head-to-head reliability
Dodge DART vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge DART 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 DART vs FORD F 150: The DART averaged 578.5 complaints per year over 4 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,131.1 per year over 10 years. The DART has 16 recalls and 2 deaths; the F-150 has 145 recalls and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge DART or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge DART
The Dodge DART is a compact car that averaged about 579 owner complaints per year over four years, with 16 recalls. The most common complaints involve the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system. Many owners report waiting months for recall repairs, especially for a transmission shift cable issue that can cause loss of PARK. This suggests that living with a DART may mean dealing with unresolved safety recalls and recurring mechanical problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged about 1,131 complaints per year over ten years, with 145 recalls. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Owners describe hard or delayed transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. This indicates that while the F-150 is popular, it can have complex and sometimes safety-related issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge DART | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,314 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 131 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 578.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 85 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 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.
Dodge DART
- 01POWER TRAIN906
- 02ENGINE483
- 03SERVICE BRAKES446
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM423
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
Owners report transmission shift cable problems that can cause an unexpected loss of PARK, and some say the recall repair parts are unavailable for months. This matters because a vehicle that can roll away or fail to stay in gear is a serious safety risk.
Complaints include odd noises from under the hood after parking, such as an electrical motor spinning, and unresolved recall notices for the transmission shift cable. These issues can lead to unexpected breakdowns or difficulty getting repairs done.
Some owners report brake calipers coming off completely, along with the car shutting down and battery dying. Brake failure is dangerous and can happen without warning, making regular inspections critical.
Owners describe batteries failing load tests, needing jump starts, and electrical problems around 105,000 miles. Electrical gremlins can leave you stranded and are often hard to diagnose.
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Dart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V674000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of ti…”
“I am requesting assistance regarding an unresolved safety recall affecting my 2016 Dodge Dart GT. In October 2025, a recall was issued for the transmission shift cable. My vehicle is included in the affected population, and I had been experiencing issues with…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners of 2020 F-150s with the 10R80 transmission report hard shifts, jerks, clunks between gears, and sudden loss of power while driving. These symptoms can cause loss of control and are a major safety concern.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on every start. These electrical faults can disable driver-assist features and distract the driver.
There are many complaints about exterior lighting, though specific failure details are not in the sample. Lighting problems can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, so check all lights carefully.
Engine-related complaints are common, but the sample text does not describe specific symptoms. Given the high number of complaints, buyers should have the engine thoroughly inspected and check for recalls.
“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.
Dodge DART — 16 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the shift cable to detach from the transmission.
The risk: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the vehicle may not perform the shifts performed by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of…
The fix: This recall will be replaced by NHTSA recall number 25V674. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission side shifter cable b…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may…
The risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured April 13, 2015, to June 7, 2016. Due to voltage spikes caused by a problem within the windshield washer pump, the windshield wiper circuit may fail.
The risk: Without functioning windshield wipers, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield washer pumps, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles manufactured July 25, 2015, to December 16, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a manual transmission. Additionally included are certain 2015 Dodge Dart vehicles similarly equipped and brought in for dealer service…
The risk: Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Engine Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall…
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
Dodge DART or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge DART has far fewer complaints per year (about 579) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), but the DART's complaints are concentrated in serious areas like power train and brakes. The F-150 has more total complaints and recalls, but many are spread across electrical and lighting systems. In practice, the DART may have fewer overall issues, but the ones it has can be severe and hard to fix.
Key differences
- The Dodge DART has about 579 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 has about 1,131 per year, so the DART has roughly half the annual complaint rate.
- DART owners frequently report transmission shift cable failures that can cause loss of PARK, while F-150 owners report hard shifts and sudden power loss from the 10R80 transmission.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 16 for the DART, meaning the truck has been subject to far more recall campaigns.
- DART complaints often mention waiting months for recall repairs, while F-150 complaints include electrical warnings like camera and pre-collision assist failures.
- Check for the transmission shift cable recall (NHTSA Campaign 25V674000) and confirm it has been repaired; if not, the car may roll away or fail to stay in PARK.
- Inspect the brakes for any signs of caliper issues, as some owners report calipers coming off completely, which is extremely dangerous.
- Test-drive the truck and pay close attention to transmission shifts between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears; hard jerks or clunks could indicate a failing 10R80 transmission.
- Check for electrical warnings such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard, as these are common complaints.
Before you buy
- Look up the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to see if any open recalls exist for the specific vehicle, especially the DART's transmission shift cable and the F-150's various recalls.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and electrical repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, brakes, and electrical system.
- During the test drive, listen for unusual noises from the engine or transmission and check that all dashboard warnings are off.
- For the F-150, test all exterior lights and driver-assist features like the backup camera and pre-collision assist.
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 DART or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge DART vs FORD F 150
- Dodge DART total complaints
- 2,314
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Dodge DART total recalls
- 16
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Dodge DART avg complaints/year
- 578.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge DART
- Dodge DART top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN