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/yr) and 6 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131.1/yr) and 145 recalls. The EX35's top issue is airbag sensor failure, while the F-150's is transmission harshness. 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 crossover that, in ownership terms, presents a mixed reliability picture. While its complaint volume is relatively low (about 15 per year), the nature of the issues—ranging from airbag sensor faults to sudden engine shutdowns—suggests that owners may face intermittent, safety-relevant problems. The vehicle's age and complexity mean that buyers should expect potential electrical and sensor gremlins, but the overall frequency of issues is far lower than many mainstream models.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its capability, but its reliability record, as reflected in NHTSA data, is concerning. With over 1,100 complaints per year and a wide range of issues, particularly in the powertrain and electrical systems, owners report transmission harshness, loss of power, and various electronic malfunctions. The sheer volume of complaints and recalls indicates that the F-150 may require frequent dealer visits, especially for transmission-related problems.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 15.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Infiniti EX35
- 01AIR BAGS22
- 02STEERING16
- 03ENGINE15
- 04POWER TRAIN13
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
Owners report the airbag warning light flashing or staying on due to a faulty passenger occupant classification sensor (OCS). This can disable the passenger airbag, meaning it may not deploy in a crash, a critical safety concern.
The steering wheel can become off-center, and the electronic tilt feature may malfunction. Additionally, warning lights for stability control may illuminate on rough roads, indicating potential issues with the steering or stability systems.
Some owners experience sudden power loss and engine shutdown while driving, which can be dangerous. Others report a faulty solenoid switch causing a squealing noise, indicating potential engine management problems.
There are reports of severe hesitation when accelerating after slowing or stopping, which can be a safety hazard in traffic. This suggests possible transmission or drivetrain issues.
“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 TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is harsh and delayed shifting, particularly in the 10-speed automatic transmission. Owners report jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power, which can be alarming and dangerous.
Many owners report warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, indicating problems with the advanced driver assistance systems. These can disable safety features.
Headlight issues are frequent, with owners reporting failures or poor visibility, which can compromise nighttime driving safety.
Engine problems are also reported, though less frequently than transmission issues. These may include stalling or performance issues, adding to the overall reliability concerns.
“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.
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 — 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
Infiniti EX35 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
Based on NHTSA data, the Infiniti EX35 has significantly fewer complaints per year (15.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1). This suggests that, on average, the EX35 is less likely to require repairs for the issues reported. However, the EX35's problems, such as airbag sensor failures and engine shutdowns, are serious safety concerns, while the F-150's issues are more frequent but often less immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The EX35 has far fewer complaints per year (15.3) than the F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower rate of reported issues.
- The EX35's top problem is airbag sensor failures, which can disable the passenger airbag, while the F-150's top problem is transmission harshness and failure.
- The F-150 has a much higher number of recalls (145) compared to the EX35 (6), suggesting more widespread and varied defects.
- The EX35's engine issues include sudden shutdowns, while the F-150's engine problems are less prominent but still present.
- Check for any airbag warning lights and have the OCS sensor inspected, as failures are common.
- Test the steering for off-center feel or tilt malfunctions, and listen for unusual noises from the engine that could indicate solenoid issues.
- Test drive the F-150 and pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears, for any harshness or clunking.
- Check the dashboard for warning messages about the front camera or pre-collision assist, as these systems are prone to malfunction.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the airbag system for the EX35 and the transmission for the F-150.
- Test drive both vehicles on rough roads to see if any warning lights appear or if steering feels unstable.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and any airbag sensor replacements on the EX35.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recall information for the specific model year you are considering.
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
- 11,311
- Infiniti EX35 total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Infiniti EX35 avg complaints/year
- 15.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti EX35
- Infiniti EX35 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN