Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai KONA N vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai KONA N 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 KONA N vs FORD F 150: The KONA N has 11 complaints over 2 years (5.5/year) and 3 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131.1/year) and 145 recalls. The F-150 also reports 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, versus none for the KONA N. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai KONA N or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai KONA N
The Hyundai KONA N is a sporty compact SUV with a small but notable complaint pattern over two years. Owners frequently report sudden power loss, limp mode, and warning lights, often after car washes or rain, pointing to moisture-sensitive sensors and electrical issues. With only 11 complaints and 3 recalls, the overall volume is low, but the nature of the failures—engine and electrical—can be alarming and potentially dangerous. For a buyer, this means the KONA N can be fun but demands attention to water intrusion and sensor reliability.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint history over ten years, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year. The most common issues involve the power train, particularly transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden power loss, as well as electrical glitches. With 145 recalls and hundreds of crash-related reports, the F-150's reliability picture is complex and varies widely by year and configuration. Buyers should expect potential transmission and electrical headaches, especially in certain model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai KONA N | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 287 |
| 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 KONA N
- 01ENGINE6
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 03POWER TRAIN3
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- 05STEERING1
Owners report sudden, complete loss of power and flashing check engine lights, often immediately after a car wash or in wet conditions. This can leave you stranded or cause near-misses in traffic, so it's critical to check for moisture-related sensor faults.
Complaints describe limp mode limiting RPM to 2000, multiple warning lights, and error code P211800, frequently triggered by car washes or rain. These electrical gremlins can disable safety features and require dealer inspection, making water resistance a key concern.
Reports include sudden power loss and limp mode after car washes, with the same P211800 code. This suggests the transmission or related controls may be sensitive to moisture, affecting drivability and safety.
Owners mention knock sensor code P1326 causing limp mode after car washes or rainy days, requiring sensor replacement. Another complaint notes jerking and jumping when pulling out, possibly related to suspension or transmission engagement, which can be annoying and unsettling.
“After washing my '23 Kona N in a hand car wash, I experienced a sudden, complete loss of power as I was pulling into traffic immediately afterwards, nearly resulting in a rear-end collision. There was a flashing check engine light (CEL or MIL) on the dash, an…”
“I took my vehicle through a touch free car wash. After the wash the vehicle sat for about 10 to 20 minutes while I dried off the exterior and cleaned out my interior. After leaving the car wash the car made it less than a mile down the road and illuminated a…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint area, with owners reporting hard, delayed, or jerky shifts, especially in the 10R80 automatic transmission. Some experience sudden power loss and vehicle shut-off while driving, which is a serious safety risk.
Owners report issues like front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, often appearing at startup. There are also reports of loud bangs from the transmission and popping sounds from the rear suspension, indicating electrical or mechanical faults that can affect safety systems.
This category includes various unspecified problems, but given the high volume, it likely encompasses a range of issues from infotainment glitches to structural noises. Buyers should be wary of unexplained symptoms.
With 1,164 complaints, exterior lighting issues are significant, though specific details aren't provided in the sample. Recalls include headlights, suggesting potential visibility problems that could compromise safety.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 KONA N — 3 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning Septembe…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning Septembe…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete l…
The risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai KONA N or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai KONA N has far fewer complaints per year (5.5) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the KONA N's issues often involve sudden power loss and limp mode, which can be dangerous. The F-150's higher volume means more widespread problems, particularly with transmissions and electrical systems, but many are addressed by recalls. In practice, the KONA N may have fewer overall issues, but the F-150's issues are more numerous and varied, requiring careful inspection.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: KONA N averages 5.5 complaints/year vs. F-150's 1,131.1/year, a massive difference in reported issues.
- Failure patterns: KONA N often suffers sudden power loss and limp mode after car washes, while F-150 commonly has transmission jerking and sudden power loss while driving.
- Recalls: F-150 has 145 recalls vs. KONA N's 3, indicating broader systemic issues in the F-150.
- Safety outcomes: F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death; KONA N has 0 in these categories, though low volume may understate risk.
- Check for any history of water intrusion or car wash-related issues; test drive after washing to see if warning lights appear.
- Inspect for stored error codes like P211800 or P1326, and ask if the knock sensor or throttle body has been replaced.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard or delayed shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears; listen for clunks or bangs.
- Check for electrical warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on startup, and verify all safety systems function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the KONA N, perform a test drive after a car wash or in rain to replicate moisture-related failures.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission error codes and test drive extensively in stop-and-go and highway conditions.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or sensor replacements.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific components mentioned in complaints (engine, electrical, power train) before purchase.
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 KONA N | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 7 | 3432 |
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 KONA N or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai KONA N vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai KONA N total complaints
- 11
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Hyundai KONA N total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Hyundai KONA N avg complaints/year
- 5.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai KONA N
- Hyundai KONA N top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN