Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari 458 vs FORD F 150
How the Ferrari 458 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
Ferrari 458 vs FORD F 150: The Ferrari has 9 complaints over 8 years (1.1/yr) with 11 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) with 145 recalls. Ferrari issues include airbag deployment and fire risk; F-150 issues focus on transmission and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari 458 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari 458
The Ferrari 458 is a high-performance exotic that, in ownership terms, is a low-volume, high-cost vehicle. Its complaint history is sparse, averaging just over one per year, and centers on air bag recalls (including Takata inflators), a fire risk, and interior plastic degradation. Owners report sudden air bag deployment without a crash, a vehicle fire, and melting dashboard plastic, which are serious but isolated incidents rather than widespread mechanical failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup with a high complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year. The dominant issues are powertrain problems, especially with the 10-speed automatic transmission, and electrical system glitches. Owners describe hard shifting, loss of power, and recurring warning messages, indicating that these are common, everyday reliability concerns for a working vehicle.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari 458 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 287 |
| 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.
Ferrari 458
- 01AIR BAGS5
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 03FUEL SYSTEM1
- 04GASOLINE1
- 05SERVICE BRAKES1
Owners report Takata recall issues and, in one case, the driver's airbag deployed suddenly while driving on a smooth highway with no collision. This is a safety-critical defect that could cause injury or loss of control.
A 2012 458 Italia caught fire in the rear while parked, consistent with a prior recall. Additionally, dashboard plastic melts, making buttons sticky and unreadable, which can impair operation of essential controls.
Owners of 2015 models report being unable to add fuel at gas stations, despite trying multiple pumps. This is a refueling issue that can leave you stranded or unable to use the car.
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FERRARI 458 ITALIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V341000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT…”
“TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A PERFECTLY FLAT AND SAFE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG ON MY 2012 FERRARI 458 SUDDENLY AND FOR NO VALID REASON EXPLODED AND DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, THERE WAS NO POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE THAT WOULD HAVE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints: hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These issues can be dangerous in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Owners report warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' appearing every time they start the truck. There are also reports of loud bangs from the transmission and popping from the rear suspension, which may be electrical or sensor-related.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top component, with recalls and complaints about malfunctioning headlights, which can reduce visibility and safety at night.
“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.
Ferrari 458 — 11 recalls
The defect: On January 9, 2018 Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) recalled 1,073 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2018 for the original population. The recall will begin in June 2018 for the expanded population. Owners…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2012 Ferrari California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, and FF vehicles that have not already had their passenger frontal air bag replaced. These passenger frontal air bag modules have air bag inflators that may explode in the event of a crash due…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly with one that uses an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-8…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (FNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 458 Speciale, 458 Speciale A, California T, FF, F12 Berlinetta, and LaFerrari vehicles manufactured December 19, 2014, to April 29, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a driver side a…
The risk: In the event of a crash, the deployment of the driver's air bag in a rotated orientation increases the risk of injury.
The fix: FNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front Driver's Side Air Bag Module, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall i…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 F458 Italia and F458 Spider vehicles manufactured March 5, 2010, to May 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the secondary latch for the front trunk storage compartment may not release when the vehicle is stationary. As…
The risk: In the event an individual is trapped in the trunk and the latch system does not release the trunk lid, it increases the risk of personal injury or possibly death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will modify the existing front trunk latch system with a new component that will meet requirements, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at…
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
Ferrari 458 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ferrari 458 has far fewer complaints per year (1.1) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Ferrari's problems are severe when they occur, such as airbag deployment and fire risk, while the F-150's issues are more numerous but often less catastrophic. In practice, the Ferrari may be more reliable in terms of complaint count, but the nature of its failures demands serious attention.
Key differences
- The Ferrari 458 has a tiny complaint volume (9 total) versus the F-150's 11,311, but the Ferrari's complaints include a sudden airbag deployment and a vehicle fire, which are rare but severe.
- The F-150's top issue is the 10-speed transmission, with owners reporting hard shifts and loss of power, while the Ferrari's top issue is airbag recalls, not routine driving problems.
- The Ferrari has a recall for trunk lid locks, while the F-150 has recalls for headlights and battery cables, indicating different safety concerns.
- The Ferrari's interior plastic melts, a unique issue not seen in the F-150, which instead has electrical system warnings that appear on startup.
- Check if all Takata airbag recalls have been performed; ask for proof of replacement.
- Inspect the dashboard and interior plastic for melting or stickiness, and check for any signs of a previous fire, especially in the rear.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Start the truck and see if any warning lights appear, such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available'.
Before you buy
- For the Ferrari: verify all recalls are completed, especially airbag and fire-related ones, and have a mechanic inspect the fuel system for refueling issues.
- For the F-150: check the transmission fluid and service history, and ask if the 10R80 has been updated or repaired.
- For both: get a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist familiar with the model.
- For the F-150: test the headlights and electrical system, and check for any outstanding recalls.
- For the Ferrari: inspect the interior plastic for melting and ensure all buttons are legible and functional.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Ferrari 458 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 43 |
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 Ferrari 458 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari 458 vs FORD F 150
- Ferrari 458 total complaints
- 9
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Ferrari 458 total recalls
- 11
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Ferrari 458 avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari 458
- Ferrari 458 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN