Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra GT vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Elantra GT 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 Elantra GT vs FORD F 150: The Elantra GT averaged 293 complaints per year with engine issues, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with power train problems. The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 1 for the Elantra GT. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra GT or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra GT
The Hyundai Elantra GT is a compact hatchback that averaged 293 complaints per year over four years, with engine issues dominating the reports. Owners frequently describe excessive oil consumption, ticking or knocking noises, and stalling, which can lead to costly repairs. With 65 crash-related complaints, 42 injuries, and 3 deaths, the data suggests some failures may have serious consequences. Overall, it appears to be a vehicle that demands careful maintenance and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with power train and electrical problems being the most common. Owners report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches that can affect drivability and safety. Despite 151 recalls, many complaints indicate persistent issues even after recall work. With 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, the F-150's reliability picture is mixed and requires diligent checking of recall history and transmission health.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,172 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 293.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 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.
Hyundai Elantra GT
- 01ENGINE488
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM155
- 04STRUCTURE135
- 05POWER TRAIN114
Owners report excessive oil consumption, ticking or knocking noises, and sudden stalling, often linked to internal engine defects. These symptoms can lead to catalytic converter failure and expensive engine repairs, making it critical to check oil levels and listen for abnormal sounds.
Many complaints mirror engine issues, such as oil consumption and stalling, but are filed under this vague category. This suggests owners may not know the exact cause, so buyers should be wary of any unexplained performance problems.
Reports include ABS failure lights, multiple system warnings, and infotainment systems that stay on after shutdown. These electrical glitches can be annoying and costly to diagnose, and they may indicate broader wiring or module issues.
While specific complaint text is not provided, the high number of structure-related complaints (135) suggests potential issues with body integrity or components. Buyers should inspect for rust, loose trim, or unusual noises over bumps.
“Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, imm…”
“The vehicle is experiencing engine-related excessive oil consumption, which has led to failure of the catalytic converter and emissions system. The root issue appears to be an internal engine defect causing oil to burn during operation. Yes, the vehicle is av…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues often recur even after repairs, posing a safety risk and leading to costly fixes.
Complaints include lead frame problems, output speed sensor failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can cause windows to shatter. Electrical faults can disable safety systems and are often intermittent, making them hard to diagnose.
Reports include rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered glass, which is a serious safety concern. This category also captures miscellaneous issues that may not fit standard components, so buyers should ask about any unusual incidents.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific details are not provided. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and may indicate broader electrical issues, so check all lights function correctly.
“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 Elantra GT — 1 recall
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
The risk: If the sunroof does not detect an obstacle while closing and then retract, there could be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for t…
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 Elantra GT or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Elantra GT has far fewer complaints per year (293 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150), but its engine issues can be severe and expensive. The F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and longer production run, but its power train and electrical problems are widespread and potentially dangerous. In practice, the Elantra GT may be simpler to maintain, while the F-150 demands more vigilance regarding transmission and electrical health.
Key differences
- The Elantra GT's most common complaint area is the engine, with reports of oil consumption and knocking, while the F-150's top issue is the power train, including transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 1 for the Elantra GT, indicating a much higher rate of safety-related fixes over its longer production span.
- Electrical problems are prominent in both, but the F-150's include rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass, a unique and dangerous issue.
- The Elantra GT averaged 293 complaints per year, while the F-150 averaged 1,162, but the F-150's higher sales volume means complaint rates per vehicle may be lower.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil change intervals and inspecting the dipstick; listen for ticking or knocking noises from the engine at idle and during acceleration.
- Test all electrical systems, including ABS, cruise control, and infotainment, for warning lights or failure to shut off, as owners report these issues.
- Test drive the truck extensively, especially at highway speeds, to check for transmission limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in gear; ask if the lead frame has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of shattering or electrical shorts; verify that all recalls, especially those for power train and air bags, have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify that all open recalls have been completed, especially for the F-150's power train and air bag recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine (Elantra GT) or transmission and electrical system (F-150).
- For the Elantra GT, check oil levels and look for sludge or low oil during the inspection; for the F-150, scan for transmission error codes and test the rear defroster.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for oil changes (Elantra GT) and transmission services (F-150).
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or shifting problems, and confirm that all safety systems function correctly.
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 Elantra GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 191 | 44 |
| 2019 | 196 | 52 |
| 2018 | 51 | 79 |
| 2017 | 734 | 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 Elantra GT or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra GT vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Elantra GT total complaints
- 1,172
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Elantra GT total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Elantra GT avg complaints/year
- 293.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Elantra GT
- Hyundai Elantra GT top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN