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 13 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints per year with 145 recalls. NEXO issues include power loss; F-150 issues include transmission problems. 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 on the road for about 8 years, with an average of 2.4 complaints per year. Owners frequently report sudden power loss, especially when accelerating or climbing hills, often tied to the fuel cell stack. There are also complaints about the automatic braking system not engaging and hydrogen sensor malfunctions. With 13 recalls, many related to the hydrogen tank, living with a NEXO means staying on top of recall repairs and being aware of potential power delivery issues.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has been sold for many years, and with over 11,000 complaints in 10 years, it averages about 1,131 complaints annually. The most common issues involve the transmission, which can shift hard, jerk, or even lose power, and electrical problems such as camera malfunctions and battery cable issues. There are also reports of exterior lighting failures and engine problems. With 145 recalls, owners should be diligent about checking for open recalls.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 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 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. The fuel cell stack is often the culprit, and some say the vehicle fails to respond to the accelerator pedal.
Complaints mirror the fuel cell stack issues, with sudden power loss and reduced speed on inclines. This can leave you unable to maintain speed limits, posing a risk in traffic.
Issues include the automatic braking system not working and hydrogen sensor malfunctions. Some owners also report that recall repairs for electrical components were not yet available, leaving them waiting for fixes.
Owners say the car does not automatically brake to avoid collisions, even when tested with large objects. This undermines a key safety feature and requires extra vigilance.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a frequent source of complaints, with hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and occasional total power loss. This can happen at speed and may cause the truck to shut off and drift.
Owners report warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' which can disable driver-assist features. There are also reports of battery cable issues and transmission-related electrical glitches.
Headlight problems are common, with recalls and complaints about lighting failures. This affects visibility and safety, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints include various issues, though specifics are less detailed in the sample. Recalls for engine components suggest potential problems that should be checked.
“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 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 — 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 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 (1,131.1), but the NEXO's issues often involve sudden power loss, which can be alarming. The F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are transmission-related and may be addressed by recalls. In practice, the NEXO may have fewer overall incidents, but the F-150's issues are more widely documented and potentially easier to diagnose.
Key differences
- The NEXO averages 2.4 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1, but the F-150 sells in much higher volumes.
- NEXO owners report sudden power loss and fuel cell stack issues; F-150 owners report transmission jerking and power loss.
- The NEXO has 13 recalls, many for hydrogen tank pressure relief; the F-150 has 145 recalls covering lighting, electrical, engine, and seats.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries reported, while the NEXO has 0 crash-related complaints and 0 injuries.
- Check for any history of sudden power loss or reduced speed on inclines, as this could indicate fuel cell stack problems.
- Verify that all recalls, especially those related to the hydrogen tank and electrical system, have been completed.
- Test drive the truck extensively, focusing on transmission shifts between gears, looking for jerking or delayed engagement.
- Check for active recalls on the electrical system and exterior lighting, and ensure any software updates for driver-assist features are applied.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- For the NEXO, ask about fuel cell maintenance and any power loss incidents; for the F-150, ask about transmission service history.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the NEXO's fuel cell and electrical systems, and the F-150's transmission and electrical systems.
- Test drive under various conditions: for the NEXO, include uphill driving; for the F-150, include highway driving with gear changes.
- Confirm that all recall repairs have been performed and ask for documentation.
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 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 6 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 7 | 33 |
| 2019 | 3 | 36 |
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
- 11,311
- Hyundai NEXO total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Hyundai NEXO avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai NEXO
- Hyundai NEXO top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN