Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai NEXO vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai NEXO 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 NEXO vs FORD F 150: The NEXO averages 2.4 complaints per year with 0 crash-related, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 330 crash-related. The NEXO has 13 recalls; the F-150 has 151. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai NEXO or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai NEXO
The Hyundai NEXO is a hydrogen fuel cell SUV that has been sold for 8 years, averaging just 2.4 complaints per year. Owners frequently report sudden power loss, especially when driving uphill or overtaking, often linked to fuel cell stack issues. There are also complaints about the automatic braking system failing to engage and hydrogen sensor malfunctions. With 13 recalls, many related to fuel tank pressure relief devices, living with a NEXO requires awareness of these potential safety and reliability concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has been on the market for 10 years, with an average of 1,162 complaints per year. The most common issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many owners reporting transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures. There are also reports of rear window defroster shorts causing windows to shatter. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, the F-150 has a high volume of reported problems, though it remains a popular choice.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai NEXO | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 19 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 NEXO
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03ENGINE4
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE3
Owners report sudden power loss while driving, especially when overtaking or going uphill, which can be dangerous. This is often linked to fuel cell stack issues, and some say the vehicle fails to respond to the accelerator pedal.
Complaints include the same power loss issue, with the car not accelerating as expected. One owner noted the car does not automatically brake to avoid collisions, and the hydrogen sensor may not work properly.
Issues include the automatic braking system not engaging and hydrogen sensor malfunctions. Some owners also report that recall repairs for electrical problems were delayed due to parts not being available.
Owners report that the automatic braking system does not activate to prevent collisions, even when approaching large objects. This is a critical safety feature that may not function as intended.
“Hyundai sells Nexo Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles with known Fuel Cell stack issues, leading to severe safety issues from sudden power loss when driving, especially when overtaking and driving on highways and/or uphill. The power loss issue was diagnosed to orig…”
“PLEASE SEE ATTACH FOR DETAILS 1. Component or System Involved The Fuel Cell System and Accelerator Pedal Control System are suspected to have malfunctioned. The issue is characterized by the vehicle's failure to respond to input from the accelerator pedal, pa…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, such as the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear. The lead frame issue is a recurring problem that can cause sudden loss of power and near collisions.
The lead frame issue also affects the electrical system, leading to transmission malfunctions. Additionally, some owners report rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter.
There are numerous complaints about exterior lighting failures, which can affect visibility and safety. Specific details are not provided in the sample, but the high number of complaints suggests a common issue.
Engine-related complaints include various issues, though the sample does not specify. Given the high number of complaints, buyers should be aware of potential engine problems.
“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 NEXO — 13 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the TPRD, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 8, 202…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the TPRD, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 8, 202…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the TPRD, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 8, 202…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Nexo vehicles. The thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD) may break and cause a hydrogen gas leak, which can result in a fire while parked.
The risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the TPRD, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 8, 202…
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 NEXO or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai NEXO has far fewer complaints per year (2.4) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), but the NEXO's issues often involve sudden power loss and braking failures, which can be dangerous. The F-150 has a much higher volume of complaints, particularly regarding transmission and electrical problems, but many are addressed through recalls. In practice, the NEXO may have fewer overall problems, but the severity of reported safety issues is concerning.
Key differences
- The NEXO averages 2.4 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1, indicating a much higher complaint rate for the F-150.
- NEXO owners report sudden power loss and non-functioning automatic braking, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, whereas the NEXO has 0 crash-related complaints and 0 injuries.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the F-150 has 151 recalls compared to 13 for the NEXO, covering a wider range of components.
- Test the accelerator response and check for any hesitation or power loss, especially during uphill driving or overtaking.
- Verify that the automatic braking system engages properly by safely simulating a collision scenario, and check for any hydrogen sensor warnings.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting and check for any signs of limp mode or getting stuck in gear, especially during a test drive.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of short circuits or cracks that could lead to shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any outstanding recalls on both models.
- For the NEXO, have a certified technician inspect the fuel cell stack and automatic braking system.
- For the F-150, test drive extensively to check transmission behavior and inspect electrical components like the rear window defroster.
- Verify that all recall repairs have been completed, especially for the NEXO's fuel tank pressure relief devices and the F-150's lead frame and transmission issues.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model to identify any hidden issues.
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 NEXO | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 6 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 7 | 44 |
| 2019 | 3 | 52 |
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 NEXO or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai NEXO vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai NEXO total complaints
- 19
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai NEXO total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai NEXO avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai NEXO
- Hyundai NEXO top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN