Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX30 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti QX30 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 QX30 vs FORD F 150: The QX30 has 58 complaints over 3 years (19.3/yr) with serious electrical and airbag issues, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131.1/yr) dominated by transmission problems. The QX30's issues are less frequent but more alarming. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX30 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX30
The Infiniti QX30, a compact luxury crossover, shows a concerning reliability profile in NHTSA data, with 58 complaints over three years. Owners report serious electrical and airbag issues, including sudden loss of power and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Steering problems and transmission-related complaints add to the picture of a vehicle that may have unpredictable safety-critical failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a high volume of complaints (11,311 over ten years), reflecting its popularity. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, with owners describing hard shifts, jerking, and even sudden power loss. Electrical problems, including camera and pre-collision system malfunctions, are also common, but the F-150's long production run and widespread use mean many issues are well-known and often addressed by recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX30 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 58 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 QX30
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
- 02AIR BAGS16
- 03STEERING11
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
- 05POWER TRAIN7
Owners report the QX30 slipping into neutral while driving at speed, with a vague dashboard warning. This can happen without warning and has nearly caused accidents, indicating a serious safety defect.
There are reports of airbags not deploying in a crash, even when the vehicle sustained significant damage. Also, issues with the steering angle sensor may be linked to airbag system malfunctions, raising concerns about occupant protection.
Complaints mention steering angle sensor problems and possible steering wheel issues, which can affect vehicle control and stability. One owner also noted difficulty getting a recall repair completed, suggesting dealer service challenges.
Although fewer complaints, there is a report of the vehicle rolling backward while in drive, indicating a transmission or drivetrain issue that could lead to unexpected movement and potential accidents.
“Hello, My 2018 Infiniti QX30 slips into neutral while driving on the road at high speeds and without any warning. The message on the dash is vague “Service required. Do not shift gears. Visit Dealer.” I almost got into an accident more than once while driving…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I am not entirely sure what specific part of my car is causing this issue, but from the research I have done regarding other people with my make/model of the ca…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most frequent issue is the 10R80 transmission, with owners experiencing hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden power loss. These problems can occur in normal driving and pose safety risks, especially in traffic.
Many owners report persistent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which can disable safety features. These warnings appear every time the truck is started and may indicate a systemic electrical issue.
Headlight-related recalls are common, and owners may experience issues with visibility, which is critical for night driving. The high number of complaints in this area suggests potential reliability concerns.
Engine-related complaints and recalls exist, but specific details are limited. However, engine problems can lead to stalling or loss of power, which are serious safety 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 QX30 — 8 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Infiniti QX30 vehicles. The bolt securing the right-hand side lower seat belt anchorage may have been incorrectly installed during production. This can result in the lower seat belt anchorage detaching in a crash. As such, these vehicles…
The risk: If the lower seat belt anchorage detaches in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will weld in a new retaining plate and secure the seat belt anchorage with a new anchor bolt, free of charge. All vehicles were repaired July 17, 2018. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Infiniti QX30 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.
The risk: A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lower steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PG1CF.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
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 QX30 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX30 has far fewer complaints per year (19.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but the nature of the QX30's issues—such as sudden loss of power and airbag non-deployment—is more alarming. The F-150's transmission problems are widespread but well-documented, and many may be addressed by recalls. In practice, the QX30's lower complaint count is offset by the severity of its reported failures.
Key differences
- The QX30 has a small number of complaints but includes reports of sudden loss of power and airbags not deploying, which are critical safety concerns.
- The F-150 has a high volume of transmission complaints, with owners describing hard shifts and jerking, but these are more predictable and often covered by recalls.
- The QX30's electrical system issues can lead to unexpected neutral shifts, while the F-150's electrical problems often involve warning lights and disabled safety features.
- The F-150 has a much longer production history and more data, making it easier to find known issues and fixes, whereas the QX30's issues may be less understood.
- Inspect the electrical system for any signs of intermittent failures, such as warning lights or unexpected gear shifts, and check if the vehicle has had all recalls performed, especially those related to airbags and steering.
- Test the airbag system by checking the airbag light and ensuring the steering angle sensor is functioning properly, as owners have reported issues with airbag deployment.
- Pay close attention to the transmission behavior during a test drive, especially shifting between gears, and listen for clunks or jerks. Check if the vehicle has had the latest transmission software updates or recalls.
- Verify that the front camera and pre-collision system are working by starting the truck and checking for warning messages, as these are common issues.
Before you buy
- Check the NHTSA website for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they have been completed.
- For the QX30, ask for service records related to electrical and airbag systems, and have a mechanic inspect the wiring and sensors.
- For the F-150, test drive at various speeds and during gear changes to feel for transmission issues, and ask if the transmission has been serviced or updated.
- Inspect the QX30's steering for any unusual play or warning lights, and check the airbag light on startup.
- For the F-150, check the exterior lights, especially headlights, for proper function and any signs of moisture or damage.
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 | Infiniti QX30 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 36 |
| 2018 | 22 | 56 |
| 2017 | 33 | 43 |
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 QX30 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX30 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti QX30 total complaints
- 58
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Infiniti QX30 total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Infiniti QX30 avg complaints/year
- 19.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX30
- Infiniti QX30 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN