Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Magnum vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Magnum 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 Magnum vs FORD F 150: The Magnum averages 290 complaints per year over 4 years, with notable airbag and fuel system issues. The F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year over 10 years, with transmission and electrical problems. Both have safety recalls, but the F-150 has more. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Magnum or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Magnum
The Dodge Magnum, a wagon-like sedan, shows a high complaint rate of about 290 per year over four years. Owners report serious issues with the powertrain, airbags, engine, and fuel system, including sudden stalls and non-deployment of airbags in crashes. These patterns suggest a vehicle that may be expensive to maintain and potentially unreliable for daily use.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a popular pickup, has a much higher total complaint count but over a longer period, averaging about 1,131 per year. The most common issues are in the powertrain, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners frequently reporting hard shifts, transmission failures, and camera malfunctions. While the F-150 has more complaints, its widespread use and longer production history contribute to the numbers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Magnum | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,162 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 47 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 290.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 57 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 Magnum
- 01POWER TRAIN235
- 02AIR BAGS221
- 03ENGINE194
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM160
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM158
Owners report the transmission going into limp mode, limiting speed to 35 mph, and a shift interlock latch that can leave the vehicle stuck in park. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and potential safety hazards.
Multiple complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in frontal collisions, leading to injuries. This is a critical safety concern that may indicate a defective airbag system.
The engine can stall without warning, and there are reports of coolant leaks causing overheating. These problems can lead to unexpected breakdowns and potential engine damage.
A specific issue involves engine stall immediately after refueling, especially when the tank is filled to capacity. This can be dangerous if it occurs in traffic.
“MY DODGE MAGNUM KEEPS GOING INTO LIMP MODE. LIMITS TO 35 MPH AND WILL SLOW YOU TO 35 QUICKLY. I TOOK IT IN TO A DODGE DEALER AND THEY PREFORMED A TCM UPDATE AND ALLOWED ME TO TAKE THE CAR I MADE IT 5 MILES BEFORE GOING INTO LIMP MODE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DE…”
“POWER TRAIN - "SHIFT INTERLOCK LATCH" - VECHILE STUCK IN PARK - DODGE WILL NOT PERMIT OUR VECHILE TO BE COVERED BY THEIR "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION K39 TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK LEVER." BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE CORRECT MODEL AND YEAR, OUR V…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is frequently reported for hard, jerky shifts, clunks, and even sudden loss of power. Some owners have experienced complete transmission failure, requiring costly repairs.
Many owners report recurring warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which can disable safety features. These electrical gremlins can be persistent and hard to fix.
Headlight issues are common, with some owners experiencing flickering or complete failure, reducing visibility at night and increasing the risk of accidents.
Engine problems include stalling and other performance issues, though less frequent than transmission complaints. Some owners report engine misfires or loss of power.
“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 Magnum — 22 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2…
The risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occur…
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger front…
The defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER. THE GEARSHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET AND CAUSE AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT POSITION DISPLAY.
The risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION STARTLING THE DRIVER, AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A REDUNDANT LOCKING MECHANISM TO THE GEARSHIFT CABLE AT THE MOUNTING BRACKET TO ENSURE PROPER RETENTION AND SHIFT LINKAGE FUNCTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MOMENTARY LOCK UP OF THE DRIVE WHEELS IF THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH AND THE OPERATOR SHIFTS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL…
The risk: IF THE DRIVE WHEELS LOCKED UP, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 Magnum or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Magnum has fewer complaints per year (about 290) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), but the Magnum's issues are more concentrated in safety-critical areas like airbags and fuel system. The F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity, but its transmission problems are widespread. In practice, the Magnum may have fewer reported problems, but the nature of its issues could be more severe.
Key differences
- The Magnum has a higher proportion of airbag non-deployment complaints, which is a critical safety issue, while the F-150's top issues are transmission and electrical glitches.
- The F-150 has a much larger sample size and longer production run, making its complaint numbers higher but also more statistically robust.
- The Magnum's fuel system issue after refueling is unique and potentially dangerous, whereas the F-150's transmission issues are more about drivability and reliability.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs 22), but many are for minor issues; the Magnum's recalls include airbag inflators, which are serious.
- Check for any signs of airbag warning lights or previous airbag deployments; have a mechanic verify the airbag system's integrity.
- Inspect the fuel system for any leaks or issues, especially after refueling, and test drive to see if the engine stalls when the tank is full.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts, especially between 4th-6th gears, and listen for clunks or jerks during downshifts.
- Check the electrical system by starting the vehicle and looking for any warning messages about camera or pre-collision assist malfunctions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls and prior accident damage.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, airbags, and fuel system for the Magnum, and transmission and electrical for the F-150.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any shifting issues.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if the transmission fluid has been changed regularly, especially for the F-150.
- Check the NHTSA website for any unrepaired recalls and ensure they are addressed before 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 Dodge Magnum or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Magnum vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Magnum total complaints
- 1,162
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Dodge Magnum total recalls
- 22
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Dodge Magnum avg complaints/year
- 290.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Magnum
- Dodge Magnum top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN