Head-to-head reliability
Dodge NEON vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge NEON 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 NEON vs FORD F 150: The NEON averaged 185.5 complaints per year over 6 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 over 10 years. The NEON had 41 recalls and 8 deaths; the F-150 had 151 recalls and 1 death. Both show electrical and powertrain issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge NEON or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge NEON
The Dodge NEON is a compact car with a mixed reliability record. Over six years, owners filed 1,113 complaints, averaging about 186 per year. The most common trouble spots are electrical, air bags, engine cooling, brakes, and power train. Many reports describe sudden failures like smoke from the steering wheel, air bags not deploying, and brake pedals going to the floor.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 over ten years, or about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical issues dominate, with frequent mentions of transmission limp mode and lead frame problems. Recalls are numerous (151), covering engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators. Despite the high counts, the F-150 remains a popular work truck with a broad range of reported issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge NEON | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,113 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 204 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 185.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 172 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 8 | 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 NEON
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM192
- 02AIR BAGS177
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING162
- 04SERVICE BRAKES152
- 05POWER TRAIN141
Owners report fog lights turning on by themselves, smoke and excessive heat from the steering wheel, and window seals drying out and falling off, allowing water into doors. These electrical gremlins can lead to fire risk and costly repairs.
Several complaints describe air bags failing to deploy in crashes, including a highway collision where none deployed. This is a critical safety concern that could affect occupant protection.
Sudden loss of acceleration and coolant loss are reported, sometimes leading to breakdowns. Owners mention the car would not accelerate and coolant was found missing, indicating potential overheating or head gasket issues.
Brake pedal going to the floor with no warning and rear wheel lockup are reported. One owner's daughter experienced total brake failure in traffic, highlighting a serious safety risk.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE AND BECAME UNUSUALLY HOT IN TEMPERATURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICL…”
“ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY DODGE NEON SXT THE SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO DRY UP, CRACK, AND FALL OFF. AT THIS POINT I BARELY HAVE ANY SEAL IN BETWEEN ALL 4 OF MY CAR WINDOWS AND THE CAR DOOR. WATER HAS GONE DOWN INTO MY DOOR AN…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission problems are widespread, including limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. Owners report recurring issues even after repairs, affecting drivability and safety.
Lead frame issues also appear under electrical, causing speed sensor failures and limp mode. A rear window defroster short led to the back window shattering in one report, showing electrical faults can have surprising consequences.
Complaints include rear window defroster shorts causing windows to explode outward. These unpredictable failures add to ownership frustration and potential safety hazards.
While not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting owners frequently report lighting malfunctions that 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.
Dodge NEON — 41 recalls
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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 NEON or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge NEON has far fewer complaints per year (about 186) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). However, the NEON's issues often involve critical safety systems like air bags and brakes, while the F-150's higher volume reflects its greater popularity and longer production span. In practice, the NEON may have fewer overall problems, but the F-150's issues are more frequently reported due to its larger owner base.
Key differences
- The Dodge NEON averages 186 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year, but the F-150 sold in much higher numbers.
- NEON owners report air bag non-deployment and brake failure; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The NEON has 8 deaths and 172 injuries in complaints; the F-150 has 1 death and 297 injuries, though these figures are not normalized for sales volume.
- Electrical issues are top for both, but the NEON's include steering wheel smoke, while the F-150's include rear window shattering.
- Check for signs of electrical burning or smoke from the steering column, and test all lights including fog lights for unexpected operation.
- Inspect brake pedal feel and look for any history of brake failure or wheel lockup; test drive at highway speeds and brake firmly.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in gear; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any cracks or signs of shattering; check for lead frame repair history.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially air bag and brake recalls for the NEON and transmission recalls for the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for signs of overheating or shorts.
- For the NEON, specifically test the air bag system and ensure no warning lights are on; for the F-150, test the transmission under various driving conditions.
- Check for coolant leaks and engine overheating signs on the NEON; check for transmission fluid condition and lead frame repairs on the F-150.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues have been addressed.
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 NEON or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge NEON vs FORD F 150
- Dodge NEON total complaints
- 1,113
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge NEON total recalls
- 41
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge NEON avg complaints/year
- 185.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge NEON
- Dodge NEON top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN