Head-to-head reliability
Fisker Ocean vs FORD F 150
How the Fisker Ocean 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
Fisker Ocean vs FORD F 150: The Ocean averages 442 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 per year with 151 recalls. The Ocean’s reports include sudden power loss and braking faults; the F-150’s center on transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Fisker Ocean or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Fisker Ocean
The Fisker Ocean is a newer electric SUV with a very short ownership record, averaging 442 complaints per year over two years. Owners frequently report sudden power loss, braking problems, and driver-assist systems that behave unpredictably, often tied to software and recall campaigns. With 10 recalls and a small sample of complaints, the pattern suggests a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits and careful attention to open recalls.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running, high-volume pickup with a decade of complaint history averaging about 1,162 complaints per year. The dominant theme is powertrain trouble—especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures—alongside electrical glitches and lighting issues. With 151 recalls, it is a well-known workhorse but one that demands diligence about which recalls and repairs have been completed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Fisker Ocean | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 884 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 442.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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.
Fisker Ocean
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM380
- 02SERVICE BRAKES324
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER283
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE211
- 05LANE DEPARTURE122
Owners describe sudden, total loss of power while driving, often after software updates or in connection with recall campaigns. This matters because a vehicle that can shut down without warning is a serious safety concern for everyday driving.
Complaints and recalls point to brake software and hydraulic/autohold issues, with owners reporting unexpected braking behavior. For a buyer, this means braking performance may not be consistent until recall work is verified.
Owners report the system bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop on multiple occasions, even after updates intended to fix it. This can create a rear-end collision risk and erode trust in the driver-assist features.
Many complaints are formal defect reports citing multiple recall campaigns at once, suggesting owners feel overwhelmed by overlapping safety actions. This signals that a used Ocean may have several open recalls that need to be resolved before reliable use.
“The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V499000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 24V466000 (STRUCTURE), 24V623000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC) and 24V865000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; AUTOHOLD BRAKE SYSTEM/BRAK…”
“Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a critical safety failure of my Fisker Ocean One. This incident involved a sudden and total loss of power while driving, which created a severe safety hazard for myself and other motorists.…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near-collisions. This is the most common complaint area and a major reliability concern for any used F-150 buyer.
Electrical complaints often mirror powertrain issues, such as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, plus other glitches. These faults can leave the truck in reduced-power mode and require dealer software or hardware fixes.
Some owners report unusual failures like a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. While less frequent, such defects add to the sense that electrical gremlins can appear in unexpected places.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though sample texts do not detail specific failures. For a buyer, this means checking all lights and related recalls is worthwhile, as lighting problems can affect visibility and safety.
“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.
Fisker Ocean — 10 recalls
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling all 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The exterior door handles can stick and fail to open.
The risk: A door that fails to open can prevent occupants from exiting in an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Fisker will inspect and replace the door handles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB5506…
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling all 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. A communication failure with the cabin electric water pump can cause the high voltage battery management system (BMS) to enter limp mode, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Fisker will replace the pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB30032401.
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The brake module software may cause an unexpected reduction in regenerative braking, decreasing the braking performance.
The risk: Decreased braking performance can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Fisker will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2024. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371. Fisker's number for this recall is TSB10062…
The defect: Fisker Group Inc (Fisker) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ocean vehicles. The transmission may not shift into the selected gear, allowing the vehicle to roll away while in Drive or Reverse.
The risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Fisker released an over-the-air (OTA) software update on March 11, 2024, free of charge. Owners may contact Fisker customer service at 1-844-347-5371.
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
Fisker Ocean or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Fisker Ocean has far fewer complaints per year (442 vs. 1,162), but its short record and severe power-loss and braking reports make each complaint potentially serious. The F-150’s higher annual rate reflects a much larger population and long history, with powertrain limp-mode issues standing out. In practice, the Ocean demands more recall vigilance per vehicle, while the F-150 demands attention to transmission health.
Key differences
- The Fisker Ocean’s complaints center on sudden power loss and braking/driver-assist faults, while the F-150’s dominant issue is transmission limp mode and lead frame failure.
- The Ocean has 10 recalls over two years; the F-150 has 151 recalls over ten years, meaning F-150 buyers must check many more campaigns.
- The Ocean’s annual complaint rate is lower, but its sample is small and includes severe safety failures like total power loss.
- The F-150’s electrical complaints often tie back to powertrain sensors, whereas the Ocean’s electrical complaints often involve software and propulsion shutdowns.
- Ask for a recall history report and confirm that all 10 recalls—especially electrical, brake, and structure campaigns—have been completed.
- Test-drive at highway speed and in stop-and-go traffic to check for sudden power loss, unexpected braking, or driver-assist warnings.
- During the test drive, watch for harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in a gear—signs of the reported transmission and lead frame problems.
- Check for open recalls, particularly powertrain and electrical campaigns, and ask whether the output speed sensor software update has been applied.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and print the results for both vehicles before negotiating.
- For the Fisker Ocean, insist on a pre-purchase inspection by a technician familiar with EV software and brake systems.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes and test-drive enough to trigger limp mode if present.
- Ask the seller for all service records, especially any recall or software update paperwork.
- Verify that the vehicle’s current software version is the latest available and that no warning lights remain on.
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 | Fisker Ocean | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 884 | 1527 |
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 Fisker Ocean or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Fisker Ocean vs FORD F 150
- Fisker Ocean total complaints
- 884
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Fisker Ocean total recalls
- 10
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Fisker Ocean avg complaints/year
- 442.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Fisker Ocean
- Fisker Ocean top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN