Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Azera vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Azera 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
Hyundai Azera vs FORD F 150: The Azera averaged 32.5 complaints per year with 19 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also had 330 crash-related complaints versus 14 for the Azera. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Azera or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Azera
The Hyundai Azera is a full-size sedan that, based on owner complaints, can develop steering that feels sticky or unresponsive at highway speeds, along with brake and engine issues. Over 10 years, it averaged about 32.5 complaints per year, with 19 recalls and 14 crash-related reports. While less frequent than the F-150's issues, the steering complaints describe a delay in response that could be unsettling. Buyers should be aware that some problems, like stalling, appear in older models.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, according to owner complaints, suffers from frequent powertrain and electrical problems, including transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. It averaged about 1,162 complaints per year over 10 years, with 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. The sheer volume of complaints suggests that many owners experience recurring issues, some of which can cause sudden loss of power or gear engagement. This is a high-maintenance vehicle compared to the Azera.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Azera | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 325 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 32.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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.
Hyundai Azera
- 01STEERING97
- 02SERVICE BRAKES72
- 03ENGINE53
- 04HYDRAULIC44
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38
Owners report that the steering can feel stuck or unresponsive at highway speeds, requiring a moment before the car reacts to input. This delay could make emergency maneuvers harder and is a common complaint on the Azera.
Complaints include brake system failures, such as a car that stopped running after purchase and another where warning lights for the electronic power brake came on. These issues could affect stopping ability and safety.
Some owners describe engine stalling while driving, with all dashboard lights coming on, requiring a tow. This can leave a driver stranded and is a serious reliability concern.
Hydraulic-related complaints often tie to brake or steering systems, such as antilock brake recalls. These can lead to reduced control if not addressed.
“DURING OUR FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE STEERING, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THEN AFTER JUST A SECOND OR TWO SOMETHING WOULD BREAK LOOSE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO MY REQUEST.…”
“I'VE OWNED MY 2017 AZERA SINCE DEC 2018. I LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING STICKS AS MENTIONED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 38K MILES AND I USE IT FOR THE MOST PART ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OV…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, as well as lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can happen while driving and may lead to near-collisions.
Electrical complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A specific complaint mentions a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. These faults can disable the truck or cause unexpected damage.
This category includes the rear window shattering incident, which owners link to a defroster short. Such unpredictable failures are hard to diagnose and can be costly.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and may be a recurring annoyance.
“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.
Hyundai Azera — 19 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
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
Hyundai Azera or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Azera has far fewer complaints per year (32.5) than the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), meaning owners of the Azera report problems much less often. In practice, the F-150 is more likely to require frequent repairs, especially for powertrain and electrical issues, while the Azera's issues, though serious, are less frequent.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 35 times more complaints per year than the Hyundai Azera, indicating a much higher rate of owner-reported issues.
- The F-150's top complaint area is the power train, with reports of limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Azera's top issue is steering that sticks or delays.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 19 for the Azera, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the F-150 (330) than the Azera (14), though both have 1 death reported.
- During a test drive, check for any hesitation or sticking in the steering, especially at highway speeds, as owners report a delay in response.
- Ask for maintenance records related to brake repairs and listen for any warning lights or unusual brake pedal feel, as brake complaints include system failures.
- Test the transmission for shuddering, delayed engagement, or sudden downshifts, and ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of damage or aftermarket repair, as a complaint describes the window shattering due to a short.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- For the Azera, have a mechanic inspect the steering system and brakes, and test drive at highway speeds.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes and check the lead frame and electrical system, especially if the truck has a 6-speed automatic.
- Ask the seller for all service records, focusing on transmission, electrical, and brake repairs.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or changes in power delivery.
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 | Hyundai Azera | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 12 | 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 Hyundai Azera or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Azera vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Azera total complaints
- 325
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Azera total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Azera avg complaints/year
- 32.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Azera
- Hyundai Azera top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN