Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs FORD F 150
How the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 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 F12 Berlinetta vs FORD F 150: the F12 shows 0 complaints over 8 years but 14 recalls, while the F-150 shows 11,621 complaints over 10 years, about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls. F-150 owners report limp mode, stuck 5th gear, and lead-frame failures; the F12 has no complaint text on record. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is a low-volume exotic, so its ownership picture is shaped less by owner complaints than by recall activity. Over eight years it has zero complaints on record, but 14 recalls—including multiple airbag inflator and brake system campaigns. That means living with one is more about staying on top of factory safety notices than reacting to recurring breakdown reports from other owners.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a very active complaint history: 11,621 complaints over ten years, about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls. The dominant themes are power train and electrical problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures, with some reports of rear-window defroster shorts and shattered glass. A used F-150 buyer should expect to check recall completion and transmission behavior carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari F12 Berlinetta | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 F12 Berlinetta
No component data available.
Recall subjects include the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator module and the airbag/restraint control module. No owner complaint text is on record, but these recalls matter because airbag inflators and control modules affect restraint deployment in a crash.
Hydraulic service brake recalls appear more than once in the recall list. There are no owner complaints describing the symptom, but a buyer should confirm the brake recall work was performed, since brake-system faults are safety-critical.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, and repeat lead-frame failures that some describe as nearly causing a collision. These are drivability and safety concerns, not minor annoyances, and they can recur even after parts replacement.
Complaints include the same lead-frame issue filed under electrical, plus an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) that triggered highway limp mode on a truck covered by a safety recall. Electrical faults here can disable power delivery, so recall software updates and sensor health are worth verifying.
One owner reported a short in the rear window defroster that led the back window to shatter outward shortly after the defroster was turned off. It is a single report, but it points to checking rear defroster operation and glass condition.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint component by count, though the sample text does not describe the specific failure. A buyer should still test all lights and inspect for moisture or intermittent operation.
“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 F12 Berlinetta — 14 recalls
The defect: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 48…
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 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2018 488 Spider, 488 Pista, 2015 458 Speciale A, 2016-2018 488 GTB, 2015-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2016 F12 tdf, and 2016-2018 Carlifornia T vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly causing the non-deployment…
The risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 70.
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2005-2009 430, 2019-2020 488 Pista, 2016 F60 America, 2005-2011 612 Scaglietti, 2010-2011 612, 2018-2022 812, 2020-2022 F8 Spider, 2020-2022 F8 Tributo, 2021-2022 Roma, 2009-2017 California, 2015-2017 California T, 2013-2017 F12 Berlinetta,…
The risk: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software to provide a new warning message for low brake fluid, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed September…
The defect: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 48…
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 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is…
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 F12 Berlinetta or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has far fewer issues per year on the complaint side—zero complaints versus about 1,162 per year for the Ford F-150—but it carries 14 recalls with no owner narrative to explain them. In practice, the F-150 gives you a clear, recurring pattern of transmission and electrical failures to screen for, while the Ferrari gives you mostly recall paperwork to verify.
Key differences
- The F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the F12 has 0 complaints over 8 years—but the F12 still has 14 recalls, so silence in complaints does not mean no safety campaigns.
- F-150 owners describe repeat power train failures: limp mode, stuck 5th gear, and lead-frame issues that some say nearly caused a collision; the F12 has no owner complaint text describing failure symptoms.
- The F-150 complaint list includes 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the F12 shows 0 in each of those categories.
- F-150 recalls include engine, seat belt pretensioner, door latch, and passenger airbag inflator subjects; F12 recalls center on airbag inflator/control module and hydraulic service brakes.
- Confirm the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator and airbag/restraint control module recalls were completed, and ask for documentation rather than relying on a verbal assurance.
- Have the hydraulic service brake system inspected and verify any brake-related recall remedy was applied, since brake recalls appear more than once in the record.
- Test-drive for transmission limp mode, delayed or harsh shifting, and any sign of being stuck in a gear; ask whether the lead frame and output speed sensor recall software have been addressed.
- Check the rear window defroster for proper operation and inspect the rear glass for cracks or prior replacement, given the reported defroster short and shattering incident.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA recall lookup for both vehicles and print the open/closed campaign status before negotiating.
- For the F-150, request transmission service records and scan for stored codes such as P0722 related to output speed sensor faults.
- For the F-150, verify lead-frame replacement history and confirm any recall software updates were performed at a dealership.
- For the F12, obtain written confirmation that airbag inflator, restraint control module, and hydraulic brake recalls were remedied.
- Have a independent mechanic inspect the specific recall areas—brakes and airbags on the F12, transmission and electrical on the F-150—before purchase.
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 F12 Berlinetta | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 F12 Berlinetta or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta vs FORD F 150
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta total recalls
- 14
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN