Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Nitro vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Nitro 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 Nitro vs FORD F 150: The Nitro averaged 243 complaints per year over 6 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 per year over 10 years. The Nitro has 18 recalls and 60 injuries; the F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 injuries. Both show serious electrical and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Nitro or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Nitro
The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV that averaged about 243 owner complaints per year over six years, with electrical and fuel-system issues dominating the list. Owners frequently report bizarre electrical glitches—like the horn blaring and wipers running on their own—and fuel spills during refueling. These are not just annoyances; they can leave you stranded or create a fire hazard. With 18 recalls, including multiple airbag inflator recalls, living with a Nitro means staying on top of safety fixes.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged about 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with power train and electrical problems leading the way. Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and a recurring 'lead frame' issue that can cause sudden failures. Electrical gremlins, like a rear window defroster short that shatters the back glass, add to the list. With 151 recalls, it's a complex machine that demands regular attention to safety campaigns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Nitro | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,456 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 242.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 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 Nitro
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM540
- 02FUEL SYSTEM223
- 03GASOLINE221
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM155
- 05POWER TRAIN144
Owners report random no-start conditions where the car only clicks, sometimes needing 20+ attempts to start. Others describe the horn blaring, wipers running, and doors locking/unlocking on their own when using the remote. These glitches can leave you stranded or distracted while driving.
A common complaint is gasoline backflowing or spewing out during refueling, sometimes spilling on the owner and the ground. Some owners also report pressure buildup that prevents fuel from being added. This is a serious fire hazard and an environmental concern.
Similar to fuel system issues, owners describe gasoline overflowing at the pump, often due to a failed fuel tank valve. The spillage creates a dangerous situation every time you fill up.
The filler pipe may fail to shut off when the tank is full, causing fuel to spill. Dealers have diagnosed failed fuel tank valves requiring tank replacement. This is both a safety and reliability headache.
“WHILE USING THE REMOTE KEY TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CARE, THE HORN STARTS BLARING, THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) START GOING, WASHER FLUID SHOOTS OUT, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK/LOCK WITH REMOTE. THE LIGHTS START BLINKING. I HAVE TO PH…”
“I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD STA…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission problems like limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and a 'lead frame' issue that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said it nearly ended their life. These failures can happen without warning and are expensive to fix.
The same lead frame issue often shows up as an electrical fault, causing transmission problems. Another complaint is a rear window defroster short that can shatter the back glass. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and costly.
Owners report odd issues like the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster. This is a safety concern because it can happen while driving, startling the driver and potentially causing a crash.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category. Owners likely report lights failing or malfunctioning, which affects 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 Nitro — 18 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
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 Nitro or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Nitro has far fewer complaints per year (about 243) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but that's partly because the F-150 is far more popular and has a longer production run. In practice, the Nitro's issues tend to be electrical and fuel-related, while the F-150's are often power train and electrical. Both have serious safety-related complaints, so neither should be considered trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Dodge Nitro's most common complaint is electrical system glitches (540 complaints), while the Ford F-150's is power train issues (3,648 complaints).
- Nitro owners report fuel spills during refueling, a fire hazard; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 18 for the Nitro, meaning more safety campaigns to track.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, while the Nitro has 49 crash-related and 60 injuries, but these numbers reflect different sales volumes.
- Check for any signs of fuel spills or strong gasoline odors around the filler neck; test refueling to see if it backs up or overflows.
- Test all electrical functions, especially the remote key, horn, wipers, and door locks, for random activation or failure to respond.
- During a test drive, feel for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or sudden limp mode; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of stress; ask if the rear window has ever shattered or been replaced.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see if all safety recalls have been performed, especially airbag inflator recalls on the Nitro and the F-150.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission issues in the F-150 and electrical glitches in the Nitro.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system on the Nitro for leaks or valve problems, and the transmission on the F-150 for lead frame or sensor issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or electrical fixes.
- Check for open recalls and ensure any required software updates or hardware replacements have been done.
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 Nitro or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Nitro vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Nitro total complaints
- 1,456
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge Nitro total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge Nitro avg complaints/year
- 242.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Nitro
- Dodge Nitro top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN