Head-to-head reliability
FIAT 500E vs FORD F 150
How the FIAT 500E 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
FIAT 500E vs FORD F 150: The 500E has 5 complaints over 3 years (1.7/year) and 3 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; the 500E reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FIAT 500E or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FIAT 500E
The FIAT 500E is a small electric car with very few complaints on file—just 5 over 3 years, or about 1.7 per year. Owners report serious electric and charging problems, including cars that won't fully charge and leave them stranded, and one that stalled while driving with the steering wheel locking. Recalls cover air bags and headlights, and some owners struggle to find a nearby dealer to perform recall repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint record: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the powertrain and electrical system, with owners describing transmission limp modes, repeated lead-frame failures, and electrical glitches. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death reported, so the stakes are higher when things go wrong.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FIAT 500E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.7 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.
FIAT 500E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 03POWER TRAIN1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
Owners report windows that won't roll down, brakes that make abnormal sounds, and a car that requires multiple presses of the start button. Another owner says the car stops charging without warning and has been at the dealership for seven months with no fix.
A reported power train complaint describes the same charging failure that leaves the car stranded, suggesting the issue may affect both charging and drive systems. For a buyer, a car that won't charge reliably is a daily-use dealbreaker.
One owner reports the car stalled twice while driving on a fully charged battery in one-pedal mode, and the steering wheel locked, making it impossible to steer. This is a serious safety concern for any buyer.
Owners complain about the rear-view camera freezing during backing up, and about difficulty getting recall repairs done because no qualified service center is nearby. These issues affect everyday usability and recall compliance.
“The contact leased a 2024 Fiat 500E. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll down and the brakes made an abnormal sound while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle required the Push to Start button to be pressed three t…”
“Vehicle is unable to fully charge. It stops without notice and has left us stranded. The car has been at the dealership for seven months. The dealership duplicated the problem, but has been unable to repair it. There are now six (6) other 2024 500e’s at Larry…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems, including a truck that goes into limp mode and sticks in 5th gear almost daily, and a long-running lead-frame defect that one owner says nearly caused a collision. These failures can leave you stranded or worse.
The same lead-frame issue appears in electrical complaints, and one owner reports a new truck entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure even after a recall software update. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and fix.
One owner reports the rear window exploded outward shortly after using the defroster, which they attribute to a short in the defroster circuit. This is a surprising and potentially dangerous failure for a buyer to watch for.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area with 1,224 reports, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. Given the volume, buyers should check all lights and related wiring carefully.
“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.
FIAT 500E — 3 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
The risk: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Fiat 500e Battery Electric (BEV) vehicles. The headlight horizontal aim adjustment is not covered as intended, which can result in improperly adjusted headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: Improperly adjusted headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install headlight adjustment plugs. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A4C. Vehicle Identification Numbe…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Fiat 500e Battery Electric (BEV) vehicles. The headlight horizontal aim adjustment is not covered as intended, which can result in improperly adjusted headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: Improperly adjusted headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install headlight adjustment plugs. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A4C. Vehicle Identification Numbe…
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
FIAT 500E or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The FIAT 500E has far fewer issues per year—about 1.7 complaints annually versus roughly 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the F-150 generates a huge volume of owner-reported problems, while the 500E's small complaint count still includes serious charging and stalling failures that could strand you.
Key differences
- The F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus just 5 for the 500E over 3 years, a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- The 500E's complaints center on charging failures and a stalling event with steering lock, while the F-150's top issue is transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints; the 500E has 3 recalls and 0 crash-related complaints.
- The 500E has 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported, while the F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death reported.
- Test the charging system thoroughly: plug in and confirm it reaches full charge without stopping, and ask the seller for any charging-related repair records.
- Check for recall completion, especially the air bag and headlight recalls, and confirm a nearby dealer can perform the work.
- Test drive the truck through all gears and watch for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in a gear, which owners report with the transmission.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation, and ask about any lead-frame or output speed sensor repairs and whether recall software updates were applied.
Before you buy
- For either vehicle, obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired.
- For the 500E, verify charging at home and at a public station, and check that the rear-view camera does not freeze.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission, electrical, or charging repairs.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic familiar with the specific model.
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 | FIAT 500E | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 5 | 638 |
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 FIAT 500E or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FIAT 500E vs FORD F 150
- FIAT 500E total complaints
- 5
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- FIAT 500E total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- FIAT 500E avg complaints/year
- 1.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- FIAT 500E
- FIAT 500E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN