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: Over 10 years, the F 150 had 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls, while the Tundra had 1,633 complaints and 75 recalls. The F 150 also had 330 crash-related reports versus 34 for 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 that has been sold in huge numbers, so it has a large owner base and a correspondingly large number of complaints. Over the past decade, NHTSA logged 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls, with power train and electrical problems dominating. Owners frequently describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches that can affect drivability. The high complaint volume means a used F 150 needs a careful pre-purchase inspection, especially of the transmission and electrical systems.
Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup with a smaller but loyal following, and its complaint count is much lower. In the same 10-year period, NHTSA recorded 1,633 complaints and 75 recalls, with engine and power train issues leading. Owners report sudden stalling, loss of power, and air conditioning compressor problems that can cause the truck to slow unexpectedly. While the Tundra has fewer reported problems overall, the ones that do appear can be serious and should be checked before buying.
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 | 11,621 | 1,633 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 151 | 75 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 330 | 34 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1162.1 | 163.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 297 | 36 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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission problems such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues often recur even after repairs, so a test drive should include highway speeds and check for harsh shifting or warning lights.
Complaints include lead frame issues that affect transmission operation and a rear window defroster short that can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and expensive to trace, so check all electronics, including defroster and transmission sensors.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a common trouble spot. Owners may experience failing lights that reduce visibility, so inspect all lights and consider that replacements may be needed.
Engine complaints number 880, often related to drivability or stalling. While not the top category, engine issues can be costly, so listen for unusual noises and check for recalls on the specific model year.
“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…”
Toyota Tundra
- 01ENGINE549
- 02POWER TRAIN323
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM261
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER197
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM190
Owners report the engine stalling without warning, such as a 2021 Tundra that stopped running while driving, and air conditioning compressor seizing that can cause sudden slowing. These can be dangerous, so test the A/C and check for any stalling history.
Complaints include loss of power at highway speeds and accelerator pedal not responding, which can leave the driver with minimal control. This is a serious safety concern, so a thorough test drive at various speeds is essential.
Owners describe sudden loss of power and multiple dashboard lights, often related to fuel delivery issues. This can cause the truck to coast to a stop, so check for recalls on the fuel pump and test acceleration from a stop.
Electrical complaints include the SOS button not sending the correct VIN and moonroof glass spontaneously exploding. These are unusual but concerning, so inspect the moonroof and test the emergency call system if equipped.
“Air conditioning compressor partially seizes if air conditioning is turned on while driving and when air conditioning knob is on at time engine is started. Makes very loud noise. When driving, and it occurs, truck will slow suddenly as if the brakes were appl…”
“Were were driving, my 2021 Toyota Tundra, just stopped running. No check engine lights had come on until the engine stalled as we coasted to a stop on the side of the road. We had it towed to the Central Maine Motor in Waterville, Maine 04901. Central Maine M…”
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 — 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…
Toyota Tundra — 75 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models wil…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
The risk: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota cus…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
The risk: If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number fo…
Buyer analysis
FORD F 150 or Toyota Tundra: which should you buy?
The Toyota Tundra has far fewer complaints per year (about 163) compared to the Ford F 150 (about 1,162), and also fewer crash-related reports and injuries. In practice, this means a used Tundra is likely to have fewer reported problems, but both trucks can have serious issues, so a pre-purchase inspection is critical for either.
Key differences
- The Ford F 150 has over 11,000 complaints in 10 years, while the Toyota Tundra has about 1,600, meaning the F 150 has many more owner-reported issues.
- Ford F 150 complaints often center on power train and electrical problems like transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while Tundra complaints more often involve engine stalling and sudden power loss.
- The Ford F 150 has 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries, compared to 34 crash-related and 36 injuries for the Tundra, indicating a higher number of reported crashes involving F 150s.
- Both trucks have recalls for fuel and steering components, but the Ford F 150 has 151 recalls versus 75 for the Tundra, suggesting more frequent recall campaigns.
- During a test drive, check for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or going into limp mode, especially on 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic, as owners report these symptoms.
- Inspect the rear window defroster operation and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous window replacement, as a short can cause the back window to shatter.
- Test the air conditioning system thoroughly, including turning it on while driving and at startup, because a partially seized compressor can cause loud noises and sudden slowing.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or loss of power by asking for service records and test driving at highway speeds, as owners report sudden shutdowns without warning.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN on the NHTSA website.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, engine stalling, and any warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and any recall repairs.
- For the Ford F 150, specifically test the rear defroster and listen for unusual noises from the transmission; for the Toyota Tundra, test the A/C and accelerate hard to check for power loss.
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 | 35 | 0 |
| 2025 | 345 | 134 |
| 2024 | 638 | 341 |
| 2023 | 1527 | 408 |
| 2022 | 3493 | 428 |
| 2021 | 5349 | 24 |
| 2020 | 44 | 46 |
| 2019 | 52 | 74 |
| 2018 | 79 | 100 |
| 2017 | 59 | 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
- 11,621
- Toyota Tundra total complaints
- 1,633
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Tundra total recalls
- 75
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- Toyota Tundra avg complaints/year
- 163.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Tundra
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Tundra top complaint area
- ENGINE