Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Tucson vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Tucson 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 Tucson vs FORD F 150: The Tucson averages 311 complaints per year with 27 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 147). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Tucson or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that averages about 311 NHTSA complaints per year over the past decade, with 27 recalls. The most common owner-reported trouble spots are the engine, power train, brakes, and electrical system, often involving stalling, transmission or steering lock issues, and premature AC failure. While the total complaint count is lower than the F-150's, the rate of engine-related complaints is high relative to its overall volume, so a used Tucson deserves a careful mechanical inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 1,162 NHTSA complaints per year, with 151 recalls over the same period. Owners frequently report power train and electrical problems, including transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear-window defroster shorts that can shatter glass. The sheer volume of complaints and recalls means that even though many trucks serve reliably, a used F-150 carries a higher likelihood of encountering a known, recurring issue.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Tucson | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,112 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 147 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 311.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 137 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Tucson
- 01ENGINE1,315
- 02POWER TRAIN549
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER430
- 04SERVICE BRAKES387
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM367
Owners report stalling while driving, flashing check-engine lights, and severe knocking that forces towing. These symptoms can leave a driver without power in traffic, so a pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a test drive for hesitation or knocking is essential.
Complaints include a steering column that stays locked after starting and catalytic converter efficiency failures that dealers confirm but may not always fix. A locked steering column is an immediate safety concern, and a failed catalytic converter can lead to emissions test failure and costly repairs.
Drivers describe a hissing or buzzing noise when braking at low speeds and a brake pedal that goes soft. A soft pedal can mean reduced braking power, so any unusual brake noise or pedal feel should be checked by a mechanic before purchase.
The air conditioning system sometimes stops working well before 60,000 miles, and owners report that replacing the compressor, condenser, and lines still does not fix it. A non-working AC is expensive to diagnose and repair, especially if the root cause is not obvious.
“My family’s safety is at serious risk with my 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which I’ve owned only 55 days. This vehicle has stalled three times while driving, putting me and my two young children in immediate danger. Each time, the car operated normally until a flashi…”
“I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on th…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues can appear daily and may require repeated repairs, so a thorough transmission service history and a scan for pending codes are critical.
The same lead frame issue often shows up as an electrical complaint, and some trucks experience output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear-window defroster short has also been reported to shatter the back glass, which is a sudden and dangerous failure.
A short in the rear window defroster can cause the back window to explode outward shortly after the defroster is turned off. This is a serious safety hazard because it can happen without warning and send glass into the cabin or onto the road.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent than power train issues but still present, often tied to drivability problems that may accompany transmission faults. Any check-engine light or rough running should be investigated before buying.
“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 Tucson — 27 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson vehicles. The tire and loading information label may incorrectly indicate information about a spare tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selectio…
The risk: A label that incorrectly states spare tire pressure when there is no spare tire on-board may cause confusion during an emergency tire replacement, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tire and loading information label, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbe…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause…
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to par…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starti…
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 Tucson or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Tucson has far fewer complaints per year (about 311) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and it also has fewer recalls (27 vs. 151). In practice, that means a used Tucson is less likely to be subject to a large, recurring safety campaign, while a used F-150 demands more vigilance for transmission and electrical faults.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 complaints per year, roughly 3.7 times the Tucson's 311, with power train and electrical issues dominating.
- The Tucson's most common complaint area is the engine, while the F-150's is the power train, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 27 for the Tucson, including seat belt, door latch, and air bag inflator campaigns.
- Both vehicles have 1 reported death in the data, but the F-150 has more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 147) and more injuries (297 vs. 137).
- During a test drive, listen for engine knocking or hesitation and watch for a flashing check-engine light, which owners link to stalling.
- Check that the steering column unlocks immediately after starting and that the brake pedal feels firm, not soft or hissing, at low speeds.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to see if the truck enters limp mode or sticks in 5th gear.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting and ask whether the back glass has ever shattered or been replaced.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm that all open recalls for the specific model year have been performed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning for engine, transmission, and ABS codes.
- For the Tucson, test the air conditioning thoroughly and check for any brake noise or soft pedal feel.
- For the F-150, verify that the lead frame and output speed sensor recalls were completed and that the transmission shifts smoothly.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and engine oil changes on the Tucson.
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 Tucson | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 90 | 35 |
| 2025 | 287 | 345 |
| 2024 | 97 | 638 |
| 2023 | 134 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 383 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 79 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 178 | 44 |
| 2019 | 380 | 52 |
| 2018 | 396 | 79 |
| 2017 | 1088 | 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 Tucson or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Tucson vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Tucson total complaints
- 3,112
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Hyundai Tucson total recalls
- 27
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Hyundai Tucson avg complaints/year
- 311.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Tucson top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN