Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX4 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti QX4 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 QX4 vs FORD F 150: The QX4 has 167 complaints over 4 years (about 42 per year) and 17 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The QX4’s issues cluster in suspension and structure, the F-150’s in powertrain and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX4 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX4
The Infiniti QX4 is a luxury SUV with a modest complaint volume—about 42 per year over four years—but the pattern is serious: suspension and structure issues often involve corrosion and popping noises that can affect steering and safety. Recalls cover airbag inflators and the steering column, so check for open recalls. For a buyer, the QX4 demands a careful rust inspection, especially around the frame and suspension mounts, because owners report failures at low speeds and on the highway.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a much higher complaint rate—over 1,100 per year across ten years—and the dominant theme is powertrain trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Electrical gremlins, including a rear window that can shatter, add to ownership friction. Recalls address engine, seat belt pretensioners, door latches, and airbags, but owners still report recurring problems, so a thorough pre-purchase scan and service history are essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX4 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 167 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 15 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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 QX4
- 01SUSPENSION44
- 02STRUCTURE36
- 03STEERING20
- 04EQUIPMENT20
- 05AIR BAGS10
Owners report popping or clunking noises from the front suspension during turns, and in one case severe vibration traced to a corroded inner apron. This matters because suspension corrosion can compromise handling and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints describe rust forming on the frame rail and inner apron, sometimes discovered only after a vibration or handling issue. Structural corrosion is a major safety and resale concern, so a rust inspection is critical.
Owners report a popping sound while turning and a persistent squeaking from the steering column that returns after repeated repairs. Steering problems can affect control, and the column noise suggests wear that may be expensive to fix.
Recalls cover front airbag inflator modules on both driver and passenger sides. While complaints are fewer, the recall history means you should verify that the inflator fix has been completed.
“AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10MPH WHEN I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS I WAS TURNING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE SOUND WOULD OCCUR WHEN TAKING A RIGHT…”
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 INFINITI QX4 ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND TIRE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOOK OFF MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND SAW WHERE MY INNER APRON WAS SEVERELY CORRODED,…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near-collisions. These are recurring, expensive problems that affect daily reliability and safety.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can strand you and often require dealer software or part replacement.
One owner reported the rear window shattering outward after using the defroster, suggesting a possible short. Such unexpected failures are hard to predict and add to ownership anxiety.
This is a top complaint area, though sample text is not provided. Lighting failures matter for visibility and safety, so check all lights and wiring during inspection.
“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 QX4 — 17 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may caus…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed…
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,…
The risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RE…
The fix: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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 QX4 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 42 vs. over 1,160 for the F-150), but its issues cluster in structural corrosion and suspension, which can be severe. The F-150’s higher volume means more frequent powertrain and electrical problems, so in practice the QX4 may be simpler to live with if rust-free, while the F-150 demands more vigilance for transmission and electrical faults.
Key differences
- Complaint rate: QX4 averages about 42 per year; F-150 averages over 1,160 per year, so the F-150 generates far more owner-reported issues.
- Dominant failure pattern: QX4 complaints center on suspension popping and structural rust; F-150 complaints center on transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- Recall focus: QX4 recalls include airbag inflators and steering column; F-150 recalls include engine, seat belts, door latches, and airbags.
- Safety signals: QX4 has 15 crash-related complaints and 11 injuries; F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, reflecting its much larger population but still a higher absolute count.
- Inspect the frame rails, inner aprons, and suspension mounting points for rust or corrosion, especially on 2002–2003 models mentioned in complaints.
- Listen for popping or clunking noises from the front suspension and steering while turning at low speed, and check the steering column for squeaks.
- Test-drive for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, and scan for stored codes like P0722 related to output speed sensor failures.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and look for any signs of electrical shorts or prior window replacement.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm that airbag inflator and steering column recalls (QX4) or engine and seat belt recalls (F-150) have been completed.
- For the QX4, perform a thorough rust inspection on a lift, focusing on frame rails, inner aprons, and suspension components.
- For the F-150, obtain a transmission service history and scan for transmission codes; test-drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Request a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, including a road test that mimics the reported failure conditions.
- Verify that all electrical features—lights, defroster, windows—work properly, and check for any aftermarket repairs or software updates.
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 QX4 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX4 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti QX4 total complaints
- 167
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Infiniti QX4 total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Infiniti QX4 avg complaints/year
- 41.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX4
- Infiniti QX4 top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN