Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Ioniq vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Ioniq 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 vs FORD F 150: The Ioniq averages 94 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 complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 25 and 15 for the Ioniq. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Ioniq or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Ioniq
The Hyundai Ioniq is a compact hybrid or electric car that tends to have a lower complaint volume per year than many vehicles, averaging about 94 complaints annually over six years. However, the complaints that do appear often center on electrical gremlins, such as warning lights for the auto-hold and electronic parking brake, and occasional power-train issues like loss of reverse or unexpected acceleration. For a used-car buyer, this suggests that while major failures may be less frequent, electrical and brake-related annoyances can still pop up and may require dealer visits.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year across ten years. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners frequently reporting transmission problems like limp mode and stuck gears, as well as electrical faults tied to the lead frame. These issues can lead to costly repairs and safety risks, so a used F-150 demands a thorough inspection and service history check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Ioniq | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 566 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 94.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 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
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM369
- 02POWER TRAIN102
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM100
- 04SERVICE BRAKES58
- 05ENGINE57
Owners report warning lights for the auto-hold and electronic parking brake (EPB) appearing shortly after purchase, often requiring dealer inspection. This can be frustrating because it may disable convenience features and signal underlying sensor or software faults.
Some drivers describe unexpected acceleration in reverse or a loss of reverse and power bucking, with diagnostic codes like P090A01. These symptoms can make parking or low-speed maneuvers feel unpredictable and may indicate transmission or control module problems.
Complaints include high-voltage isolation faults (DTC P0AA6) and sudden deceleration, which are serious for electric or hybrid models. Such faults can lead to reduced power or shutdown, and owners report difficulty getting dealers to address them properly.
The auto-hold feature may malfunction, showing a 'conditions not met' message and deactivating the electronic parking brake. This could leave the car without hold assistance on hills or in traffic, increasing stress for the driver.
“06/08/21 first day I brought my new car Hyundai Ioniq 2021 model at Hyundai Lincolnwood. After use the car about 2 months, the engine light has been showing up that something wrong about the auto hold and EPB. So I made an appointment for inspect in the next…”
“06/08/21 first day I brought my new car Hyundai Ioniq 2021 model at Hyundai Lincolnwood. After use the car about 2 months, the engine light has been showing up that something wrong about the auto hold and EPB. So I made an appointment for inspect in the next…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
A recurring theme is the 'lead frame' issue causing transmission problems, including limp mode, stuck gears, and failure to shift. Owners report near-collisions and costly repairs, and some say the problem persists even after fixes.
Electrical complaints often involve the same lead frame, leading to output speed sensor failures (code P0722) and highway limp mode. This can suddenly reduce speed and power, creating a dangerous situation in traffic.
Some owners report rear window defroster shorts that cause the back window to shatter unexpectedly. This is a surprising and potentially hazardous failure that may not be covered by recalls.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting issues like failing bulbs or wiring that can 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.
Hyundai Ioniq — 13 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ioniq electric vehicles. An unstable electrical ground may cause the vehicle to enter a fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration and power. In certain conditions while in fail-safe mode, the vehicle may accelerate after the gas pedal is…
The risk: Unexpected acceleration following gas pedal release can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the EPCU (Electric Power Control Unit) software and repair the ground wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyund…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ioniq electric vehicles. An unstable electrical ground may cause the vehicle to enter a fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration and power. In certain conditions while in fail-safe mode, the vehicle may accelerate after the gas pedal is…
The risk: Unexpected acceleration following gas pedal release can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the EPCU (Electric Power Control Unit) software and repair the ground wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyund…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim action is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and as an interim action, owners have the option to follow provided instructions to perform a batt…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this reca…
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 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Ioniq has far fewer complaints per year (about 94) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), indicating a lower rate of reported problems. In practice, this means an Ioniq owner may face fewer trips to the shop, while an F-150 owner should be prepared for more frequent and potentially serious repairs, especially related to the transmission and electrical system.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Ioniq averages ~94 complaints/year; F-150 averages ~1,162/year, a more than tenfold difference.
- Top issue type: Ioniq complaints often involve electrical warnings and brake features; F-150 complaints heavily feature power train and transmission failures like limp mode.
- Safety impact: F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported; Ioniq has 25 crash-related and 15 injuries, though both are serious.
- Recalls: F-150 has 151 recalls versus 13 for the Ioniq, suggesting more widespread or recurring safety defects in the truck.
- Check for any dashboard warnings related to auto-hold or electronic parking brake, and test these features during a test drive.
- Ask for a diagnostic scan to look for stored codes like P090A01 or P0AA6, which indicate power train or high-voltage isolation faults.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode, and scan for codes like P0722 related to the lead frame.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of shorts or cracks, and ask if the window has ever shattered unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all available service records, focusing on transmission and electrical repairs.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, including a computer diagnostic scan for stored trouble codes.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds and parking maneuvers, to check for transmission issues, warning lights, and brake behavior.
- Verify that all open recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150's lead frame and the Ioniq's electrical system.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the model year you are considering.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 433 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 33 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 32 | 52 |
| 2018 | 17 | 79 |
| 2017 | 50 | 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 Ioniq or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Ioniq vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Ioniq total complaints
- 566
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Ioniq total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Ioniq avg complaints/year
- 94.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Hyundai Ioniq top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN