Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra Touring vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Elantra Touring 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 Touring vs FORD F 150: the Elantra Touring logged 454 complaints in one year with steering dominating at 233, while the F-150 logged 11,621 over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year, with powertrain at 3,648. The Ford has far more recalls, 151 versus 4. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra Touring or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra Touring
The Hyundai Elantra Touring shows up in this data as a vehicle whose ownership story is dominated by steering trouble: 233 of 454 complaints in a single year involve the steering system, far more than any other area. Owners describe clunking, clicking, and sudden loss of power assist, sometimes tied to a coupler or a rubber damper gear inside the steering column. With 4 recalls and 49 crash-related complaints, it is a car where the front-end steering feel deserves close attention before purchase. It is not a high-volume complaint vehicle overall, but the complaints it does have cluster tightly around one system.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a much higher-volume vehicle in this data, with 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls, so raw counts are not directly comparable to a low-volume car. The dominant theme is the powertrain: 3,648 complaints, with owners describing transmissions stuck in limp mode or a single gear, and repeated references to a lead frame issue. Electrical complaints (2,100) often overlap with the same transmission symptoms, and there are also reports of rear-window defroster shorts and shattered back glass. It is a truck with well-known, recurring failure patterns rather than random one-offs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra Touring | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 454 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 454.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 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 Elantra Touring
- 01STEERING233
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 03AIR BAGS52
- 04SERVICE BRAKES44
- 05POWER TRAIN34
Owners report clunking or clicking noises when turning the wheel slightly, traced to a coupler or a rubber damper gear in the steering column. Some also describe the power steering assist cutting out, making the wheel very hard to turn at low speed or while parking.
The EPS warning light comes on intermittently and power steering becomes difficult, sometimes resetting after a restart. This matters because a loss of assist changes how the car handles in a parking lot or tight turn.
Reports include airbags deploying while the car was parked with the brake on, and concerns about SRS performance in a severe front-end collision. A buyer should confirm recall work was completed and watch for any airbag warning light.
Owners describe the ABS warning light coming on alongside a hard-to-turn steering wheel, and in one case multiple warning lights plus a loss of power. These combined electrical and brake warnings are worth scanning for on a test drive.
“Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. T…”
“My 2010 Elantra just started making a clicking noise when slightly turning the steering wheel back and forth. Doing online research, I discovered it is a common problem on Hyundai, with the same symptoms as my problem, that there is a rubber star damper gear…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly describe the truck dropping into limp mode and getting stuck in a single gear, often 5th, on a near-daily basis. Multiple complaints point to a lead frame issue that owners say has gone unresolved for years, which is a major repair-cost concern.
The same lead frame problem appears under electrical complaints, and one owner describes an output speed sensor failure triggering highway limp mode even after a recall software update. Electrical faults here can strand the truck or force it into reduced power.
One owner reports the rear window shattering outward minutes after using the rear defroster, attributed to a short in the defroster circuit. This is a safety and water-intrusion concern worth checking on any used example.
Exterior lighting is among the top complaint areas, with 1,224 complaints, though the sample text here focuses on other systems. A buyer should still verify all lights, including brake lights, work 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 Touring — 4 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result…
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 April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyu…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
The risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sen…
The risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's numb…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburo…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
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 Touring or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
Per year, the Elantra Touring averages 454 complaints versus 1,162 for the F-150, so the Hyundai generates fewer complaints annually in this data. In practice, the Hyundai's problems concentrate in steering, while the Ford's concentrate in the transmission and related electronics, which tend to be costlier and more likely to leave you stranded.
Key differences
- The Elantra Touring's complaints are dominated by steering (233 of 454), while the F-150's are dominated by powertrain (3,648 of 11,621).
- Ford owners describe limp mode and stuck gears tied to a lead frame issue; Hyundai owners describe clunking steering and intermittent loss of power assist.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years versus 4 for the Elantra Touring, reflecting both volume and complexity.
- Both show electrical complaints that overlap with their main mechanical issue, so warning lights are a key inspection point on either vehicle.
- Listen for clunking or clicking when turning the wheel slightly back and forth, and check for a grinding metal-on-metal noise that could indicate a damaged steering column.
- Watch for the EPS light on the dash and test low-speed parking maneuvers to confirm power steering assist does not cut out.
- Test drive at highway speed and watch for limp mode, harsh shifting, or the transmission sticking in one gear; scan for stored transmission codes.
- Check the rear defroster operation and inspect the back glass for cracks or prior replacement, given reports of shattering.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm the work was actually completed.
- On the Elantra Touring, have a mechanic inspect the steering coupler and column before purchase.
- On the F-150, scan transmission codes and test drive through all gears, including a highway merge.
- Check all warning lights, including EPS, ABS, and airbag, during a cold start and test drive.
- Verify brake lights, rear defroster, and back glass condition on the F-150, and airbag function on the Hyundai.
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 Touring or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra Touring vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total complaints
- 454
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Elantra Touring avg complaints/year
- 454.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Elantra Touring
- Hyundai Elantra Touring top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN