Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari Portofino vs FORD F 150
How the Ferrari Portofino 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 Portofino vs FORD F 150: The Portofino has 0 complaints over 3 years and 3 brake recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, 145 recalls, and 328 crash-related complaints. The F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year, mostly for power train and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari Portofino or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari Portofino
The Ferrari Portofino is a high-performance luxury sports car with very low reported complaint volume: zero owner complaints over three years in NHTSA data. However, it has three recalls, all for hydraulic service brakes, meaning a known safety-related defect exists even without owner complaints. For a buyer, this suggests the car may be driven less frequently or owners may report issues through dealers rather than NHTSA, but the brake recalls are a real concern that should be addressed before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint record: 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train (3,553 complaints), electrical system (2,071), and exterior lighting (1,164). Owners describe hard or delayed transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, loud bangs from the transmission, and dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction.' With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, this truck demands careful inspection and a thorough recall history check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari Portofino | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Portofino
No component data available.
All three recalls for the Portofino involve hydraulic service brakes. While no owner complaints are on file, a brake defect can affect stopping distance or pedal feel, so buyers should confirm the recall repair was completed.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard, delayed, or jerky shifts from the 10-speed automatic transmission, sometimes with a loud bang and sudden loss of power. This can leave you stranded or cause a crash if it happens in traffic.
Complaints include dashboard warnings such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available,' plus popping sounds from the rear suspension during downshifts. These electrical glitches can disable driver-assist features and point to deeper wiring or module issues.
There are 1,164 complaints about exterior lighting, and a recall for headlights. Owners may experience dim, flickering, or failing lights, which reduces visibility and increases crash risk at night.
With 847 engine complaints and multiple engine-related recalls, owners report various engine problems that can lead to stalling, rough running, or costly repairs. A pre-purchase inspection should include a scan for engine fault codes.
“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 Portofino — 3 recalls
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, 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, 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…
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 Portofino or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ferrari Portofino has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. 1,131 for the F-150), but it still has three brake recalls. In practice, the F-150 is much more likely to leave you dealing with transmission, electrical, and lighting problems, while the Portofino's main known risk is a brake defect that should be fixed under recall.
Key differences
- The F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years; the Portofino has 0 complaints over 3 years, but 3 brake recalls.
- F-150 owners most often report transmission problems (hard shifts, loss of power) and electrical glitches (camera and pre-collision warnings); the Portofino has no owner complaint text on file.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death; the Portofino has 0 crash-related complaints, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls covering lighting, battery cables, engine, and seats; the Portofino has 3 recalls, all for hydraulic service brakes.
- Confirm the three hydraulic service brake recalls were performed and ask for proof of repair.
- Check for any brake pedal sponginess, warning lights, or uneven braking during a test drive.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard, delayed, or jerky transmission shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears.
- Look for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' when starting the truck.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they were fixed.
- For the F-150, ask for transmission service records and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the 10R80 transmission.
- For the Portofino, verify the brake recall repairs and have a Ferrari specialist inspect the brake system.
- Check for any aftermarket modifications or tune that could affect reliability or warranty coverage.
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if the car was previously lemon-law bought back or had repeated repairs.
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 Portofino | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
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 Portofino or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari Portofino vs FORD F 150
- Ferrari Portofino total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Ferrari Portofino total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Ferrari Portofino avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari Portofino
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN