Head-to-head reliability
Honda HR V vs FORD F 150
How the Honda HR V 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
Honda HR V vs FORD F 150: The HR V averages about 160 complaints per year with 30 recalls, while the F 150 averages over 1,160 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F 150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 84 for the HR V. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda HR V or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda HR V
The Honda HR V is a compact SUV that, based on owner complaints, shows a moderate volume of issues spread across visibility, electrical, and steering systems. With about 160 complaints per year over a decade, it's not the most trouble-prone vehicle, but owners report specific annoyances like windshield cracks and wiper problems. The complaint pattern suggests that while major failures are less common, persistent small issues can affect day-to-day usability.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup that generates a very high volume of complaints—over 1,100 per year—with power train and electrical systems dominating. Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode and lead frame failures, which can be serious and recurring. The data indicates that living with an F 150 may involve more frequent and potentially costly repairs, especially related to the drivetrain.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda HR V | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,605 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 84 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 160.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 46 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.
Honda HR V
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER368
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER349
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM256
- 04STEERING173
- 05POWER TRAIN105
Owners report mysterious cracks appearing on the front windshield, sometimes from the inside, suggesting a factory defect. Others note that the driver-side wiper does not spray fluid properly, limiting visibility in frost or freezing conditions.
Complaints include vehicles failing to start and the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) warning light illuminating, sometimes causing the vehicle to decelerate independently. These electrical glitches can be unpredictable and may require dealer diagnosis.
Some owners experience a shudder or vibration from the steering wheel, especially at low speeds or when turning while parked. This can indicate steering component wear and may affect control.
Reports include the vehicle freezing entirely and refusing to move in any gear, as well as the collision mitigation braking system slamming on brakes with no obstacle present. These issues can leave drivers stranded or cause sudden, unexpected braking.
“I WAS GOING UP A STEEP NARROW ROAD, A BIG TRUCK WAS COMING DOWN SO I STOPPED AND HONKED SO HE WOULD BACK UP. WHEN HE DID, I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE MY SUV. IT FROOZE ENTIRELY, WOULDNT GO UP, WOULDNT GO IN REVERSE, JUST STAYED ON BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL A…”
“Components of concern: collision mitigation braking system - while driving with no car in front of vehicle, car slammed on brakes - could have caused an accident. Yes, available for inspection. Also, lights went off and said to see dealer (have picture that I…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, such as the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, or failing to shift properly. The 'lead frame' issue is a recurring complaint that some say has never been properly remedied, and can lead to near-collisions.
Electrical complaints often mirror power train issues, with the lead frame problem also causing electrical faults. Additionally, a short in the rear window defroster has been reported to cause the back window to shatter unexpectedly.
This category includes the rear window shattering due to a defroster short, which owners describe as exploding outward with no external cause. Such failures can be dangerous and costly to repair.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, this is a top component with many complaints, suggesting owners may experience lighting failures that 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.
Honda HR V — 30 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The front seat belt pretensioners may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: A seat belt pretensioner missing a rivet will not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for t…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: A loose driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ONC, KND, BNE a…
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
Honda HR V or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda HR V has far fewer complaints per year (about 160 vs. over 1,160 for the Ford F 150), indicating a lower overall rate of reported issues. In practice, this means an HR V buyer is less likely to face frequent repairs, while an F 150 buyer should be prepared for more potential problems, especially with the transmission.
Key differences
- The Ford F 150 has over seven times as many complaints per year as the Honda HR V, with power train issues being the most common.
- Honda HR V complaints often involve visibility (windshield cracks, wiper spray) and electrical glitches, while F 150 complaints center on serious transmission failures like limp mode and lead frame defects.
- The F 150 has 151 recalls versus 30 for the HR V, suggesting more frequent safety-related fixes for the truck.
- Owner reports for the F 150 include life-threatening situations (near collisions due to transmission issues), whereas HR V complaints tend to be less severe but still annoying.
- Inspect the windshield for any cracks, especially on the inside, and test the wiper spray function on both sides.
- Check for any steering wheel vibration or shudder at low speeds and while turning, and verify that the vehicle starts reliably and that no warning lights (especially CMBS) stay on.
- Test drive the truck extensively, paying attention to transmission shifting; look for any hesitation, limp mode, or stuck gears, and ask for service records related to the lead frame or transmission.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and inspect the glass for any signs of shattering or repair; also scan for any electrical warning lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN.
- For the HR V, test all electrical components, including the infotainment, lights, and wipers, and listen for steering noises during a test drive.
- For the F 150, take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission issues, and ask about any software updates or recalls performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission for the F 150 and the steering and electrical systems for the HR V.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by the dealer, especially for the F 150's power train and electrical recalls.
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 | Honda HR V | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 35 |
| 2025 | 45 | 345 |
| 2024 | 109 | 638 |
| 2023 | 686 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 88 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 63 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 84 | 44 |
| 2019 | 235 | 52 |
| 2018 | 157 | 79 |
| 2017 | 123 | 59 |
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 Honda HR V or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda HR V vs FORD F 150
- Honda HR V total complaints
- 1,605
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Honda HR V total recalls
- 30
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Honda HR V avg complaints/year
- 160.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda HR V
- Honda HR V top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN