Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari 550 Maranello vs FORD F 150
How the Ferrari 550 Maranello 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 550 Maranello vs FORD F 150: The Ferrari has 1 complaint over 2 years and 2 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls. The Ferrari's lone issue is a fuel vapor trap; the Ford's top issues are power train and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari 550 Maranello or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari 550 Maranello
The Ferrari 550 Maranello is a low-volume exotic, so its complaint record is tiny: just 1 complaint over 2 years, with no crashes, injuries, or deaths reported. That single complaint is about the fuel/propulsion system, specifically a charcoal canister vapor trap that can malfunction and fill with gasoline. Two recalls cover the automatic transmission cooling unit and parking brake. Living with one means very few reported problems, but the ones that do appear can be serious and expensive.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup with a huge complaint record: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year. The most common areas are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, and there are 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. It is a high-volume vehicle with many reported issues, though not every truck will experience them.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari 550 Maranello | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Ferrari 550 Maranello
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
The only reported complaint is a charcoal canister vapor trap that can malfunction and fill with gasoline. This happened once with a prior owner and twice with the current owner, even after the canister was replaced. A buyer should know this can recur and may be a persistent fuel-system issue.
“THE CHARCOAL CANISTER VAPOR TRAP CAN MALFUNCTION AND FILL WITH GASOLINE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE WITH THE PRIOR OWNER (02/06/2008) AND TWICE WITH US (10/31/2016). ONE OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY HAD REPLACED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER VAPOR T…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. One owner said the lead frame issue nearly ended their life. These are serious drivability and safety concerns.
The same lead frame issue is also reported under electrical system complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A 2017 owner described a recall software fix after a highway limp mode event. Electrical gremlins can leave the truck underpowered or stranded.
One owner reported a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to explode outward and shatter. This is a rare but alarming failure that could happen without warning. Buyers should be aware of potential rear window defects.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area with 1,224 reports, though no specific sample text is provided. This suggests owners frequently deal with lighting failures that can affect visibility and safety. A buyer should check all lights and related wiring.
“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.
Ferrari 550 Maranello — 2 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION OIL LINES TO THE OIL COOLER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. THE LINES COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE METAL FITTING AND LEAK OIL. IF THE LINES LEAK OIL, INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION TO THE TRANSMISSION COULD RESULT. IF THIS CONDITION WAS TO EX…
The risk: IF THE TRANSMISSION BECAME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING, IT COULD POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR PROPERTY, AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO EXISTING TRANSMISSION OIL LINES TO THE COOLER WITH NEW LINES WHICH HAVE A PROPERLY CRIMPED METAL FITTING CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HAND BRAKE RATCHET MECHANISM DID NOT RECEIVE THE PROPER HARDNESS TREATMENT OF THE RATCHET TEETH. AS A RESULT, THE RATCHET TEETH COULD BECOME DAMAGED.
The risk: IF THE RATCHET MECHANISM TEETH BECOME DAMAGED, FAILURE OF THE HAND BRAKE TO OPERATE AS EXPECTED WOULD RESULT. IF THE PROBLEM EXISTED AND THE VEHICLE'S USE WAS CONTINUED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE THAT THE HAND BRAKE WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND COULD…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION CODE OF THE RATCHET MECHANISM AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HAND BRAKE RATCHET MECHANISM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON…
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
Ferrari 550 Maranello or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ferrari 550 Maranello has far fewer issues per year (0.5 complaints/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162 complaints/year). In practice, the Ferrari's problems are rare but can be severe, while the Ford's problems are frequent and span many systems. The Ford also has reported crashes, injuries, and a death, while the Ferrari has none in this data.
Key differences
- The Ferrari 550 Maranello has 1 complaint over 2 years; the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years.
- Ferrari's only reported issue is a fuel vapor trap that can fill with gasoline; Ford's top issues are power train and electrical failures like limp mode and lead frame problems.
- Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death; Ferrari has 0 in each category.
- Ford has 151 recalls including engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags; Ferrari has 2 recalls for transmission cooling and parking brake.
- Check the charcoal canister vapor trap for any signs of gasoline saturation or prior replacement, as it can malfunction and fill with gas.
- Inspect the automatic transmission cooling unit and parking brake system, since both are subject to recalls.
- Test drive for transmission limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed shifting, especially around 5th gear, and ask about lead frame replacement.
- Check the rear window defroster and window for cracks or prior explosion, and verify all exterior lights work.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls were performed, especially the Ferrari's transmission cooling and parking brake recalls and the Ford's engine, seat belt, door latch, and air bag recalls.
- For the Ferrari, have a mechanic inspect the fuel system, especially the charcoal canister vapor trap, for gasoline contamination.
- For the Ford, scan for transmission codes like P0722 and test drive extensively to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly any lead frame or transmission repairs on the Ford and any fuel system work on the Ferrari.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the specific model's reported issues.
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 550 Maranello or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari 550 Maranello vs FORD F 150
- Ferrari 550 Maranello total complaints
- 1
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Ferrari 550 Maranello total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Ferrari 550 Maranello avg complaints/year
- 0.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari 550 Maranello
- Ferrari 550 Maranello top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN