Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Veloster N vs FORD F 150
How the Hyundai Veloster 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 Veloster N vs FORD F 150: The Veloster N averages 23.8 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1. The Veloster N has 6 recalls, the F-150 has 145. Owners report steering failures in the Veloster and transmission issues in the F-150. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Veloster N or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Veloster N
The Hyundai Veloster N is a performance-oriented compact car that, in ownership terms, demands attention to its electronic driver-assist and steering systems. Owner complaints show a pattern of false warnings from the lane departure and blind spot systems, often after tire changes, and intermittent power steering failures that can occur while driving. Engine and electrical issues also appear, sometimes leaving owners with a dead car or extended repair times. While not high-volume, the nature of these failures—especially steering loss—makes them significant for a used-car buyer.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much larger owner base and a correspondingly higher number of complaints, but the per-year average is still notable. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerks, and occasional loss of power. Electrical problems, including camera and pre-collision malfunctions, are also common, along with exterior lighting and engine concerns. The sheer volume of complaints and recalls suggests that buyers should be prepared for potential transmission and electronic gremlins.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Veloster N | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 95 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 23.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 287 |
| 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 Veloster N
- 01LANE DEPARTURE37
- 02STEERING28
- 03ENGINE19
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
Owners report false warnings from the blind spot and lane departure systems, especially after changing to winter tires. Even after sensor replacement, the issue persists, which can be annoying and erode trust in the safety systems.
Power steering can suddenly fail while driving, sometimes accompanied by a warning light or a pull to one side. In some cases, restarting the car restores function, but the intermittent nature is a safety concern.
Some owners report the car completely failing to start, with no lights or response, and dealerships unable to diagnose the issue. Others describe a timeline of multiple problems requiring extended shop time.
Battery deaths and subsequent warning lights are reported, along with key fob malfunctions. These issues can leave the owner stranded and may be difficult to trace.
“After getting new tires the Blind Spot Warning gives off false warnings. I have even had the sensor replaced and the issue still occurs. Many people have reported this issue when they change to winter tires. The issue will the go away when they return back to…”
“Lane keep assist was off, got an error message "check lane departure warning system" and seemed to lose power steering. I was on the interstate switching lanes. Any loss of power steering is a safety risk.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major sore point, with owners experiencing hard and delayed shifts, clunks, and jerks between gears. Some report a sudden loss of power while driving, which is a serious safety issue.
Many owners see warnings for 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on startup. These issues may persist despite dealer visits, affecting driver-assist features.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint area, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. This could range from flickering to complete failure, impacting visibility.
Engine-related complaints are numerous, but the sample text does not specify exact symptoms. Given the volume, buyers should be alert to any unusual noises, performance issues, or warning lights.
“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 Veloster N — 6 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 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…
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 Veloster N or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Veloster N has far fewer complaints per year (23.8) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the Veloster's issues are more safety-critical, like steering failure. The F-150's transmission problems are also safety-relevant but are more predictable in their symptoms. In practice, the Veloster may require less frequent trips to the shop, but each issue could be more alarming.
Key differences
- The Veloster N's steering failures can happen suddenly and without warning, while the F-150's transmission issues are more predictable (hard shifts, jerks).
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its popularity; still, the per-year average is over 47 times higher.
- The Veloster N's lane departure and blind spot false alarms are triggered by tire changes, a quirk not reported on the F-150.
- The F-150 has a significant number of electrical system complaints, including camera and pre-collision malfunctions, which are not as prominent in the Veloster N.
- Test the power steering thoroughly, including at highway speeds, and check for any warning lights or unusual resistance.
- Ask about the history of lane departure and blind spot warnings, especially if the car has aftermarket or winter tires.
- During a test drive, accelerate and decelerate through all gears, paying attention to any hard shifts, clunks, or delays, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears.
- Check for any warning messages on the dash, such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' and ask if they have been resolved.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the steering and transmission.
- For the Veloster N, verify that all software updates for the lane departure and steering systems have been applied.
- For the F-150, ask for service records related to transmission repairs or replacements.
- Take both vehicles on an extended test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for any 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 Veloster N | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 36 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 17 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 3 | 33 |
| 2019 | 39 | 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 Veloster N or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Veloster N vs FORD F 150
- Hyundai Veloster N total complaints
- 95
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Hyundai Veloster N total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Hyundai Veloster N avg complaints/year
- 23.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Veloster N
- Hyundai Veloster N top complaint area
- LANE DEPARTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN