Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 150 vs Toyota Tundra
How the FORD F 150 and Toyota Tundra 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 Toyota Tundra: The F-150 has 11019 complaints over 10 years (avg 1101.9/yr) and 144 recalls, while the Tundra has 1066 complaints (avg 106.6/yr) and 10 recalls. Owners report transmission failures in the F-150 and engine issues in the Tundra. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 150 or Toyota Tundra 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 the complaint data shows a truck that can be unpredictable in daily driving. Owners report serious transmission issues, including hard shifts, loss of power, and even complete shutdowns, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. Electrical problems also feature prominently, often tied to the same transmission control issues. While the F-150 has many happy owners, the sheer volume of complaints and recalls suggests that reliability can be a gamble, especially in higher-mileage examples.
Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup with a reputation for durability, and the complaint data supports that, with far fewer issues overall. However, owners do report significant engine problems, such as loss of power and oil leaks, which can be costly to repair. There are also transmission and fuel system concerns, including sudden downshifts and fuel pump failures. While the Tundra has fewer complaints per year, the issues that do occur are serious and can affect safety and drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 150 | Toyota Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11,019 | 1,066 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 144 | 10 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 319 | 25 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1101.9 | 106.6 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 TRAIN3,444
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,033
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,147
- 05ENGINE819
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, especially from 7th to 8th gear, and intermittent loss of power, sometimes leading to the vehicle shutting off and jerking. This can be dangerous in traffic and indicates a serious transmission problem.
Electrical issues often manifest as transmission-related warning lights and reduced power/limp mode, sometimes accompanied by loud bangs from the transmission. These problems can leave the truck undrivable and are a common source of frustration.
While fewer complaints than transmission, engine issues include stalling and loss of power, which can be scary on the highway. These may be linked to the same transmission control problems or separate engine faults.
“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…”
“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…”
Toyota Tundra
- 01ENGINE353
- 02POWER TRAIN210
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM171
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER138
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM130
Owners report sudden loss of power, especially when climbing hills or passing, which can be dangerous. Also, oil leaks from the cam tower onto the exhaust manifold are a common issue, posing a fire risk and requiring expensive repairs.
Transmission problems include sudden downshifts to lower gears at highway speeds, causing the engine to redline, and a condition where the vehicle stays at 1000 RPM with no acceleration, making it impossible to move. These are serious safety concerns.
Fuel pump failures can cause misfires and electrical faults, disabling traction control and potentially leaving the vehicle inoperable. Owners also report rough starting, which can be a sign of fuel system issues.
“As I am driving down the pickup loses power/ has no power. Was driving down the interstate and trying to make it up the Harbor bridge I could only go 40. Then try to pass a semi that (BAD DRIVER) was dangerously close, I could not even pass him. Not to mentio…”
“My 2017 Toyota Tundra Limited has 107,192 miles. I took the vehicle to Berlin City Toyota in Portland, ME for an oil change. The service technician told me that the truck has a cam tower leak. The engine is leaking oil directly onto the exhaust manifold. The…”
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 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…
Toyota Tundra — 10 recalls
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Feder…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: SET will mail a new modified label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET23B.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Lexus LX600, and 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles. Unexpected vehicle movement may occur when the vehicle is in neutral and the brakes are not applied.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA02 and…
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles. The passenger-side front and rear tires may have inner sidewall damage, which can cause a sudden loss of tire pressure.
The risk: A sudden loss of tire pressure can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TA12.
Buyer analysis
FORD F 150 or Toyota Tundra: which should you buy?
The Toyota Tundra has significantly fewer complaints per year (106.6 vs 1101.9) and fewer recalls, indicating a more reliable ownership experience. In practice, this means Tundra owners are less likely to face major repairs and unexpected breakdowns, though the issues that do occur are still serious. The F-150's higher complaint volume suggests a higher risk of transmission and electrical problems that can be costly and inconvenient.
Key differences
- The F-150 has over 10 times more complaints per year than the Tundra, with transmission and electrical issues dominating.
- The Tundra's complaints are more focused on engine and fuel system problems, but they are less frequent overall.
- The F-150 has 144 recalls over 10 years, while the Tundra has only 10, indicating a higher likelihood of safety-related defects.
- Owners of the F-150 report dangerous loss of power and shutdowns, while Tundra owners report sudden downshifts and loss of acceleration, both serious but less common in the Tundra.
- Inspect the transmission for hard shifting, delayed engagement, or warning lights, as these are common failure points.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as intermittent warning lights or reduced power mode, which may indicate a failing transmission control module.
- Look for oil leaks around the cam tower and exhaust manifold, as these are common and can be costly to fix.
- Test the fuel system for rough starting or misfires, which could indicate a failing fuel pump.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical system for the F-150, and the engine and fuel system for the Tundra.
- Take a thorough test drive, including highway speeds, to check for shifting issues, loss of power, or unusual noises.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and engine oil leaks.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty to cover potential major 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 | FORD F 150 | Toyota Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 22 |
| 2025 | 324 | 127 |
| 2024 | 606 | 316 |
| 2023 | 1480 | 383 |
| 2022 | 3372 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5121 | 23 |
| 2020 | 23 | 45 |
| 2019 | 26 | 72 |
| 2018 | 35 | 0 |
| 2017 | 19 | 78 |
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 Toyota Tundra in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 150 vs Toyota Tundra
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,019
- Toyota Tundra total complaints
- 1,066
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- Toyota Tundra total recalls
- 10
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1101.9
- Toyota Tundra avg complaints/year
- 106.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Tundra
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Tundra top complaint area
- ENGINE