How many NHTSA complaints do the Dodge Intrepid and FORD F 150 have?

Dodge Intrepid has 2,325 NHTSA complaints (21 recalls); FORD F 150 has 11,311 complaints (145 recalls). Source: NHTSA owner complaint and recall records.

Which has fewer safety recalls, the Dodge Intrepid or FORD F 150?

Dodge Intrepid has fewer safety recalls: 21 versus 145.

Head-to-head reliability

Dodge Intrepid vs FORD F 150

How the Dodge Intrepid and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Dodge Intrepid2,325 complaints · 21 recalls Fewer issues per year

FORD F 15011,311 complaints · 145 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Dodge Intrepid vs FORD F 150: The Intrepid averaged 465 complaints per year over 5 years, with 1,663 engine complaints, while the F-150 averaged 1,131 per year over 10 years, with 3,553 power train complaints. The Intrepid had 2 deaths and 80 injuries; the F-150 had 1 death and 287 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Dodge Intrepid or FORD F 150 more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Dodge Intrepid

The Dodge Intrepid is a full-size sedan that can be a affordable used car, but owner complaints suggest a high risk of major mechanical failures. Over five years, it averaged 465 complaints per year, with engine and cooling problems dominating. Many reports describe sudden engine failure, overheating, and stalling, which can be dangerous. Buyers should expect to deal with potentially costly repairs, especially on the 2.7L engine.

FORD F 150

The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a strong following, but it has a high volume of complaints—averaging 1,131 per year over ten years. The most common issues involve the transmission and electrical system, with reports of hard shifting, loss of power, and warning lights. While many trucks serve reliably, the frequency of these complaints means buyers should carefully inspect any used model. Recalls are also numerous, covering engines, lights, and batteries.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

Category	Dodge Intrepid	FORD F 150
Total complaintsAll model years combined	2,325 Better	11,311
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns	21 Better	145
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints	84 Better	328
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years	465.0 Better	1131.1
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints	80 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 Intrepid

01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1,663
02POWER TRAIN166
03STEERING151
04SERVICE BRAKES80
05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM80

What these mean

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Owners frequently report sudden engine failure, often with warning signs like cloudy smoke, oil light, and overheating. The 2.7L engine is specifically called out for catastrophic failure at highway speeds, which can be extremely dangerous. This is the most common complaint area by far.

POWER TRAIN

Complaints include stalling on highways, loss of power, random acceleration, and bucking. Some owners received recall notices for these issues. These problems can leave you stranded or cause loss of control.

STEERING

Reports describe loud popping noises and steering failure, sometimes at low speeds like while parking. This can make the car difficult or impossible to steer, posing a safety risk.

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners report rear wheel lockup, scraping noises, and unintended acceleration leading to crashes. One complaint noted the parking brake came apart and locked the brake. Brake failures are serious and should be inspected immediately.

In owners' words — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

“I NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM, EXCEPT CLOUDY SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE AND AN OIL. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON IT BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. I HAD IT TOWED TO LANDMARK DODGE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TIMIN…”

“2003 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 L ENGINE- EXPERIENCE SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS THAT THESE ENGINES EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN LOSS, AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PUBLIC WEB SITES STATE THIS ENG…”

FORD F 150

01POWER TRAIN3,553
02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
05ENGINE847

What these mean

POWER TRAIN

Many owners report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and sudden loss of power, especially with the 10R80 transmission. Some experiences include the truck shutting off while driving. These issues can be unpredictable and costly to fix.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs and popping sounds from the transmission area. Electrical gremlins can be frustrating and may affect safety features.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlight problems are common enough to appear in recalls and complaints. Faulty lighting reduces visibility and can lead to accidents or tickets.

ENGINE

While less frequent than transmission issues, engine complaints exist and recalls cover engine problems. Some owners report engine-related failures that require costly repairs.

In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

“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.