Head-to-head reliability
FORD ZX2 vs FORD F 150
How the FORD ZX2 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
FORD ZX2 vs FORD F 150: The ZX2 averaged 36.5 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The F-150 also had 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries versus 10 and 18 for the ZX2. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD ZX2 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD ZX2
The Ford ZX2 is a compact two-door coupe, and over four years it averaged about 36.5 complaints per year with no recalls on record. Owners most often report power train, engine cooling, electrical, suspension, and brake issues, with 10 crash-related complaints and 18 injuries. The sample complaints include serious failures like a suspension break that left a car leaning and an ignition switch that failed twice. For a first-time buyer, this suggests a car that may need frequent attention to basic mechanical and electrical systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged about 1,131 complaints per year over ten years, with 145 recalls, 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death. Owners frequently report transmission problems like hard shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden loss of power, along with electrical glitches such as camera and sensor failures. The high complaint volume and many recalls mean this truck has a long history of safety-related fixes. A buyer should expect to check for open recalls and transmission behavior carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD ZX2 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 146 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 36.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 287 |
| 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.
FORD ZX2
- 01POWER TRAIN31
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING25
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
- 04SUSPENSION17
- 05SERVICE BRAKES14
Owners report issues like fuel gauge not registering a full tank and problems shifting from park, which can lead to stalling or difficulty moving. These can strand a driver or cause unexpected behavior in traffic.
Complaints include spark plugs blowing out of the engine, causing a loud bang, gas smell, and the need for a tow. This is a serious failure that can leave you stranded and may damage the engine.
The ignition switch has been replaced multiple times because the key would not turn, leaving owners unable to start the car. Electrical sensor burnouts are also reported, which can affect reliability.
One owner heard a loud bang and the car stopped immediately, with the body leaning on one side, indicating a suspension break. Another complaint notes air bags did not deploy in a side impact, raising concerns about crash protection.
“I HAVE AN EDDIE BAUER EDITION EXPEDITION (2003) . THIS UNIT CAME WITH OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS THAT TILT DOWN AND INWARD WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO ASSIST YOU IN BACKING UP. THE ISSUE I HAVE HAD SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IS THAT THE MIRRORS DO NOT R…”
“I PURCHASED THE 2003 EXPLORER IN NOV 2003. ON 6/16/04, 8/17/04,AND FINALLY ON 8/20/04, I COMPLAINED REGARDING THE FUEL GUAGE NOT REGISTERING A FULL TANK. FORD FINALLY REPLACED FUEL TANK. ON DEC 10, 2004, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO RE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners describe hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even losing all power while driving, which can cause sudden deceleration or stalling. These transmission problems are a major safety and drivability concern.
Complaints include warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing every time the truck starts. These failures can disable driver-assist features and reduce situational awareness.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top complaint category, and there are recalls for headlights. Faulty lighting can make the truck hard to see or reduce your own visibility at night.
Engine problems appear in complaints and recalls, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Given the volume, buyers should check for engine-related recalls and any rough running or warning lights.
“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…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 ZX2
No recalls on record.
FORD F 150 — 145 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 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
FORD ZX2 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ford ZX2 has far fewer complaints per year (about 36.5) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), but the ZX2 has zero recalls while the F-150 has 145. In practice, the ZX2 may have fewer overall reported issues, but the F-150's issues are more numerous and include many safety recalls. The ZX2's problems, though less frequent, can still be severe, such as suspension breaks and ignition failures.
Key differences
- The ZX2 has no recalls on record, while the F-150 has 145 recalls covering lighting, battery cables, engine, and seats.
- F-150 owners report transmission jerking, hard shifts, and sudden power loss, while ZX2 owners report fuel gauge and shifting problems.
- The ZX2 has 10 crash-related complaints and 18 injuries over 4 years; the F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries over 10 years.
- Electrical issues on the ZX2 include ignition switch failure and sensor burnouts; on the F-150, they include camera and pre-collision assist warnings.
- Check the ignition switch—if the key feels sticky or fails to turn, it may need replacement as reported by owners.
- Inspect the suspension for any signs of breakage or uneven leaning, and test drive over bumps to listen for loud bangs.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard shifts, jerking, or delayed engagement in the transmission, especially between 4th and 8th gears.
- Start the truck and look for warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle's recall history and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially for the F-150.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check transmission behavior on the F-150 and engine/ignition on the ZX2.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension and brakes on the ZX2, and the transmission and electrical system on the F-150.
- Check for dashboard warning lights and ensure all driver-assist features work on the F-150.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year to see if the reported issues match what you observe.
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 ZX2 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD ZX2 vs FORD F 150
- FORD ZX2 total complaints
- 146
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- FORD ZX2 total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- FORD ZX2 avg complaints/year
- 36.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- FORD ZX2
- FORD ZX2 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN