Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 vs FORD F 150: The Ioniq 6 averages 32 complaints per year with 13 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related reports versus 4 for the Ioniq 6. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an electric sedan that has been on the road for about four years, averaging roughly 32 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, especially the 12-volt battery and charging hardware, followed by power train glitches like shift-by-wire failures. Many owners report sudden loss of power or being unable to start, which can leave you stranded. Recalls are relatively few, but some owners say the fix wasn't fully done.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a long history and a huge number of complaints—over 11,000 in ten years, or about 1,162 per year. The biggest recurring theme is power train problems, particularly transmission issues that can cause limp mode or harsh shifting. Electrical gremlins, lighting faults, and engine concerns also show up often. With 151 recalls and hundreds of crash or injury reports, this truck demands careful inspection before buying.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Ioniq 6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 129 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 32.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM74
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER25
- 03POWER TRAIN18
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
Owners frequently report 12-volt battery failures that leave the car undrivable even when voltage looks normal, and some say a recall update for the ICCU was done without replacing the fuse. This matters because a dead 12V battery can strand you without warning.
Complaints include the shift-by-wire system failing so the car won't shift out of Drive or Park, and sudden deceleration with a 'Check Electrical System' warning. These issues can make the car unsafe in traffic and hard to park.
The charge door sometimes won't open, which can prevent charging and leave you stranded if you're low on range. This is a simple but critical failure for an electric vehicle.
Owners report cellular connectivity dying until the head unit is reset, and random warning sounds with red dashboard indicators. These glitches are annoying and can distract from driving.
“Recall 272 - ICCU Ioniq 6 : ICCU fuse and update were required. Dealership ONLY did update. Did not replace fuse. Vehicle was "updated" for Recall 272 on 2/19/2025. Jenkins Hyundai Service Mgr, Savannah, confirmed on 5/18/2026 that this information is correct…”
“I own a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 that experienced a complete 12V battery failure at under 500 miles of use, despite showing normal voltage levels (12.5V off, 13.25V while attempting a jump). The vehicle was undrivable and could not start, even though the main bat…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, including a 'lead frame' failure that can cause limp mode, stuck gears, or sudden loss of power. Owners describe near-collisions and recurring issues even after repairs.
Electrical faults often tie back to the same lead frame or output speed sensor failures, triggering limp mode and error codes. These can leave the truck undrivable and require costly dealer visits.
Some owners report the rear window shattering spontaneously, sometimes linked to a short in the defroster. This is a safety hazard because it can happen while driving.
Lighting problems are frequently reported, though specific failure details aren't in the sample. Malfunctioning lights affect visibility and can lead to tickets or accidents.
“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 Ioniq 6 — 13 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2024 IONIQ 5, 2023-2024 IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 "Electrified," and Genesis G80 "Electrified" vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-Volt battery, which can result in a lo…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 24V-868. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 IONIQ 6 vehicles. The differential gear bolts in the gear drive unit may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of drive power or cause the differential to lock up.
The risk: A loss of drive power or differential lock up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear drive unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 259.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2024 IONIQ 5, 2023-2025 IONIQ 6, Genesis GV60, Genesis GV70 "Electrified," and Genesis G80 "Electrified" vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a lo…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2024. Owners may co…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, 2023-2026 Genesis G90, 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid vehicles. The driver and passenger seat belt anchors may detach.
The risk: A detached seat belt anchor will not adequately restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and Genesis cus…
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 Ioniq 6 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has far fewer complaints per year (about 32) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), so it appears to have fewer reported issues overall. In practice, that means you're less likely to face frequent repair visits with the Ioniq 6, but the F-150's issues are often more severe and safety-related. The difference is stark: the Ioniq 6 is a newer electric car with a narrower set of problems, while the F-150 is a high-volume truck with a long history of power train and electrical faults.
Key differences
- The Ioniq 6 averages about 32 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages about 1,162 per year—a huge gap in reported problem frequency.
- Ioniq 6 complaints center on 12V battery failures and shift-by-wire glitches; F-150 complaints are dominated by transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, versus 13 recalls and 4 crash-related reports for the Ioniq 6.
- Ioniq 6 owners report charge door and connectivity issues; F-150 owners report rear window shattering and lighting faults.
- Check the 12-volt battery health and ask if the ICCU recall (including fuse replacement) was fully completed—some owners say only the software update was done.
- Test the shift-by-wire system thoroughly: shift in and out of Park, Drive, and Reverse multiple times, and watch for any 'Park malfunction' warnings.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes (especially P0722) and test drive at highway speeds to see if it enters limp mode or gets stuck in a gear.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of stress, and test the defroster to ensure it doesn't short or cause the glass to shatter.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for all open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they were remedied.
- For the Ioniq 6, have a mechanic load-test the 12V battery and check the ICCU fuse.
- For the F-150, get a transmission shop to inspect the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- Test drive each vehicle for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds and parking maneuvers.
- Ask for service records to see if previous owners dealt with the common complaints.
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 Ioniq 6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 35 | 345 |
| 2024 | 38 | 638 |
| 2023 | 56 | 1527 |
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 Ioniq 6 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 total complaints
- 129
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 avg complaints/year
- 32.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN