Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti EX35 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti EX35 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
Infiniti EX35 vs FORD F 150: The EX35 has 92 complaints over 6 years (15.3/year) and 6 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 297 injuries and 1 death versus 3 injuries and 0 deaths for the EX35. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti EX35 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti EX35
The Infiniti EX35 is a compact luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 92 complaints over six years, averaging about 15 per year. Owners most often report air bag warning lights, steering instability, and occasional engine shutdowns. With only 6 recalls and 3 injuries reported, it appears to have fewer chronic issues than the Ford F-150, but the complaints that do exist can be serious.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging over 1,100 per year. Recurring themes include transmission limp mode, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 297 injuries, it has a long history of safety-related defects that owners say persist even after repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti EX35 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 92 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 15.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Infiniti EX35
- 01AIR BAGS22
- 02STEERING16
- 03ENGINE15
- 04POWER TRAIN13
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
Owners report the passenger side air bag warning light flashing non-stop due to a faulty OCS sensor, which can require replacing the entire seat cushion. This matters because a broken sensor may prevent the air bag from deploying correctly in a crash.
Complaints describe 4WAS and stability control warning lights coming on over rough roads, with the rear feeling unstable and the steering wheel off-center. Another owner had the electronic tilt steering wheel malfunction so it could not be repositioned. These issues can make the vehicle unpredictable to control.
One owner experienced sudden engine power loss and shutdown at 60 mph, followed by temporary inability to restart. Another had a bad solenoid switch that caused a squealing noise even after dealership repair. Such failures can leave a driver stranded or create a hazard in traffic.
Owners report severe hesitation when accelerating after slowing or stopping, which can make merging or crossing traffic risky. A separate complaint about a 2011 Infiniti M56 notes a power train recall with parts unavailable, suggesting delays in getting fixes.
“I TOOK THE CAR TO JIM COLEMAN INFINITI SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING NON-STOP. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS DUE TO PASSENGER SIDE OCS SENSOR FAULTY, SO IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR THEY NEED TO REPLAC…”
“I PURCHASED 2009 INFINITI EX 35 ONE MONTH AGO(SEPTEMBER 30, 2009). THERE IS A "PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT. ACCORDING TO INFINITI SERVICE CENTER NEARBY, IT IS DESIGNED TO DETECT CHILD OR SMALL ADULT WHO IS LESS THAN 100 POUNDS SEATING ON PASSENGER SIDE A…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners describe a 'lead frame' issue that causes the truck to go into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or fail to shift properly. One owner said it nearly ended his life after a near collision. This is a recurring, dangerous defect that can happen without warning.
The same lead frame problem often shows up as an electrical system complaint, with limp mode triggered by an output speed sensor failure. Owners report that even after a software recall fix, the problem can return. Electrical gremlins like these can leave you stranded or cause sudden power loss.
A rear window defroster short caused one owner's back window to explode outward and shatter with no impact. This is a severe safety hazard because it can happen while driving and send glass into the cabin or onto the road.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category with 1,224 reports. Buyers should check for flickering or failing lights, which can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
“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.
Infiniti EX35 — 6 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles equipped with the power tilt/telescope option included in the premium package, manufactured June 29, 2007, to April 25, 2008, 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2007, to April…
The risk: Extra play in the steering wheel or a loss of steering may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft on the Infiniti EX35, FX35, and FX45 vehicles, and will replace the steering column assembly on the Nissan GT-R vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2…
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
The defect: CURT IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 1 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 11500, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 26, 2008 AND MARCH 12, 2009, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 NISSAN INFINITI EX35 VEHICLES. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE BUMPER STRUCTURE OF THE VEH…
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR SHOULD THE TOWED VEHICLE SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION.
The fix: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-738-7213.
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
Infiniti EX35 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti EX35 has far fewer issues per year (about 15 complaints annually) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100 per year). In practice, this means an EX35 owner is much less likely to face frequent repair visits, while an F-150 owner may deal with recurring transmission and electrical problems that can be both costly and dangerous.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls versus only 6 for the Infiniti EX35, meaning far more safety-related fixes have been required over the years.
- F-150 owners repeatedly report a 'lead frame' defect causing limp mode and stuck gears, while EX35 owners more often report air bag sensor and steering warning light issues.
- The F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death reported, compared to 3 injuries and 0 deaths for the EX35, though these numbers depend on many factors beyond vehicle design.
- The EX35 averages about 15 complaints per year; the F-150 averages over 1,100 per year, a roughly 75-fold difference in owner-reported problem frequency.
- Check that the passenger air bag warning light is not flashing or stuck on—this points to a faulty OCS sensor that can be expensive to replace.
- Test drive over rough roads and listen for steering warnings or feel for an off-center wheel or unstable rear, which could indicate 4WAS or stability control problems.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission going into limp mode, sticking in 5th gear, or hesitating—classic signs of the lead frame defect.
- Inspect the rear window for any signs of stress or previous shattering, and test the defroster to ensure it does not short or overheat.
Before you buy
- Ask for a complete recall history and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, especially transmission and air bag codes, before buying.
- Test drive at highway speeds and on rough roads to check for limp mode, steering warnings, or hesitation.
- Inspect the passenger air bag status light and the rear window defroster for proper function.
- Request service records to see if common issues like lead frame replacement or OCS sensor repair have already been addressed.
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 Infiniti EX35 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti EX35 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti EX35 total complaints
- 92
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Infiniti EX35 total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Infiniti EX35 avg complaints/year
- 15.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti EX35
- Infiniti EX35 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN