Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 150 vs FORD Bronco
How the FORD F 150 and FORD Bronco compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD F 150 vs FORD Bronco: The F-150 has 10,861 complaints over 10 years (1,086/yr) and 144 recalls, while the Bronco has 1,040 complaints over 6 years (173/yr) and 103 recalls. The F-150's main issues are transmission and electrical, while the Bronco has visibility and engine fire reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 150 or FORD Bronco more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for capability, but its reliability record over the past decade shows a heavy burden of powertrain and electrical complaints. Owners frequently report transmission issues that cause delayed or hard shifting, reduced power, and even limp mode, which can be alarming and inconvenient. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests that while the truck is versatile, it may require more trips to the dealer than some buyers expect.
FORD Bronco
The Ford Bronco, a modern off-road SUV, has a shorter history but already shows a pattern of visibility and engine-related problems. Owners report windshield cracks that spread without impact, side mirror and blind spot system malfunctions, and in rare cases, engine fires. With fewer complaints per year than the F-150, the Bronco may seem more reliable, but the nature of some issues—like fires—raises serious safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 150 | FORD Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10,861 | 1,040 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 144 | 103 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 319 | 41 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1086.1 | 173.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 286 | 27 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
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.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,363
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,019
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,374
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,122
- 05ENGINE803
Owners report the transmission slipping, hard shifting, and entering a reduced-power or limp mode, sometimes accompanied by a wrench warning light. This can make the truck undriveable or unsafe in traffic.
Electrical issues often manifest as transmission-related warning lights and drivability problems, suggesting a link between the two systems. Some owners also mention infotainment glitches and other electronic gremlins.
The LED headlights are reported to have poor auto-leveling, causing excessive glare for oncoming drivers. This is a safety concern for both the driver and others on the road.
While fewer complaints than powertrain, engine issues include rough running, stalling, and in some cases, engine failure. These can be costly to repair and leave owners stranded.
“I was on Spencer street at the light about to cross on Saint rose park way. When the light turned green my truck wouldn’t let me proceed and the it went into a low gear and make a lot of noise until I crossed and stoped at the Horizon ridge light. At the ligh…”
“The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…”
FORD Bronco
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER175
- 02ENGINE169
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM135
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER128
- 05SERVICE BRAKES105
Windshields are cracking spontaneously, often spreading across the entire glass without any impact. Side mirrors also change orientation on their own, and blind spot monitoring is unreliable, which can undermine driver confidence.
There are reports of engine compartment fires, some starting while idling, leading to total loss of the vehicle. The exact cause is often unknown, but it's a serious safety hazard.
Electrical problems include infotainment system issues, such as poor hands-free call quality after software updates, and other electronic malfunctions that affect usability and safety features.
Brake complaints include reduced braking performance, unusual noises, and in some cases, a soft or spongy pedal, which can increase stopping distances and risk of collision.
“The following systems and features have been repeatedly failing in my vehicle, posing a safety hazard: 1) The side view mirrors change orientation automatically while driving. 2) The blind spot warning is inconsistent and is not trustworthy. 3) The infotainme…”
“Went out to start the vehicle one afternoon to notice a Crack from the outside passenger edge by the frame. Nothing hit the windshield and just a single line of Crack spread from one side of the windshield straight across took to ford to be told that while th…”
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.
FORD F 150 — 144 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 2018 F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving.
The risk: Unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge. An interim notification letter was mailed January 31, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer servic…
The defect: Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain MOOG K500359 ball joints, for aftermarket installation on 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks. The ball joint may have a misaligned dust boot and may be missing alignment hole and installation warning tag, which may lead to improper alignment of the ball joint.
The risk: An incorrectly installed ball joint may cause the ball joint stud to break, which can compromise front wheel control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: DRiV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary replace the ball joint, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Tenneco Automotive customer service at 1-877-489-6659.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
The risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21…
FORD Bronco — 103 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
The risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S3…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim…
The risk: The incorrect tire size, tire pressures, and GAWR listed on the labels can allow the vehicle to be overloaded or have improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this reca…
Buyer analysis
FORD F 150 or FORD Bronco: which should you buy?
The Ford Bronco has fewer complaints per year (173.3) compared to the F-150 (1086.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the F-150's problems are more concentrated in the powertrain, which can be expensive to fix, while the Bronco's issues include rare but catastrophic engine fires. In practice, the Bronco may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience on average, but the severity of some issues warrants caution.
Key differences
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, especially in the powertrain, with transmission failures leading to limp mode and reduced power.
- The Bronco has fewer complaints but includes reports of engine fires, which are rare but extremely serious.
- The F-150's headlights cause glare for oncoming drivers, while the Bronco's windshields crack spontaneously.
- The Bronco's visibility and wiper issues include malfunctioning side mirrors and blind spot warnings, which can affect safety.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of delayed or hard shifting, and check for a wrench warning light during a test drive.
- Check the headlights for proper auto-leveling and any signs of misalignment that could cause glare.
- Look for any cracks in the windshield, even small ones, and ask if the windshield has been replaced before.
- Test the side mirrors and blind spot monitoring to ensure they work consistently, and check for any open recalls related to engine fires.
Before you buy
- Obtain the vehicle's recall history and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission (F-150) and engine/electrical systems (Bronco).
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any transmission or brake issues.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recall information for the specific model year you're considering.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty to cover potential costly repairs, especially for the F-150's powertrain.
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 | FORD F 150 | FORD Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 11 |
| 2025 | 321 | 162 |
| 2024 | 606 | 71 |
| 2023 | 1474 | 214 |
| 2022 | 3355 | 360 |
| 2021 | 5041 | 222 |
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 FORD F 150 or FORD Bronco in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 150 vs FORD Bronco
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 10,861
- FORD Bronco total complaints
- 1,040
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- FORD Bronco total recalls
- 103
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1086.1
- FORD Bronco avg complaints/year
- 173.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD Bronco
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD Bronco top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER