Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX55 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti QX55 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 QX55 vs FORD F 150: The QX55 has 13 complaints over 4 years (3.3/year) and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX55 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX55
The Infiniti QX55 is a compact luxury SUV with a low complaint volume: 13 complaints over 4 years, averaging 3.3 per year. Owners report engine issues like white smoke and power loss, plus seat problems such as movement and overheating. There are 2 recalls, including one for engine hard parts and one for door latches, but no crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems, but the engine and seat complaints are worth noting.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year. The most common issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. There are 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, plus 297 injuries and 1 death. This suggests a wide range of potential problems that buyers should carefully inspect.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX55 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 13 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 QX55
- 01ENGINE6
- 02SEATS2
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04STRUCTURE1
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report white smoke from the exhaust and sudden power loss, sometimes with grinding noises. One complaint mentions a 2022 QX55 with only 16,500 miles losing power, which could mean costly repairs if the engine fails.
Drivers note the seat moving during turns or on ramps, and rear seat heaters overheating and burning cushions. These issues affect comfort and could be a fire hazard if not addressed.
A complaint describes rear door locks jamming so doors cannot be opened from inside or outside. This could trap occupants or hinder first responders in an emergency.
Owners report Bluetooth and CarPlay disconnecting after 5-10 minutes, and dashboard rattling at highway speeds. These are annoying but not safety-critical.
“The contact owned a 2022 Infinity QX55. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle in the garage, the contact noticed white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the white smoke increased significantly. T…”
“Every single one of these 2.0 litre engines should be recalled. My partner has a 2022 QX50 and the long engine should be replaced. On May 18, 2025, my QX55 with 16,500 miles that I was absolutely perfect in servicing suddenly started losing power, grinding, t…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems like limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. One complaint says a lead frame issue nearly caused a collision, indicating a serious safety risk.
The same lead frame issue appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can leave the truck undrivable and require costly repairs.
A complaint describes the rear window shattering after the defroster was turned off, possibly due to a short. This could cause injury from flying glass.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights for proper function.
“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 QX55 — 2 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects tha…
The risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 INFINITI QX55 and 2022 INFINITI QX50 vehicles. The incorrect door latch may have been installed in the front right-side passenger door lock assembly, preventing the front right-side door lock from automatically locking.
The risk: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front right-side passenger door lock assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 14, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for…
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 QX55 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX55 has far fewer issues per year (3.3 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150). In practice, this means QX55 owners report fewer problems overall, but the F-150's high volume reflects its popularity and a wider range of potential faults. The QX55 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the F-150's issues are more numerous and varied.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the Infiniti QX55 has only 13 over 4 years, showing a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to 2 recalls and 0 crash-related complaints for the QX55.
- QX55 owners report engine smoke and seat movement, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions.
- The F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death in the data, while the QX55 has none, though this does not guarantee safety.
- Check for white smoke from the exhaust and any signs of engine power loss or grinding noises during a test drive.
- Inspect the driver's seat for movement when turning or going over bumps, and test the rear seat heaters for proper function to avoid overheating.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in gear, especially during highway driving.
- Check the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster to ensure it works without issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine and transmission for the specific issues reported for each model.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, engine noises, and any warning lights.
- For the QX55, test all seats for movement and seat heaters; for the F-150, test the rear defroster and all electrical components.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any recall repairs have been completed.
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 QX55 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 9 | 3493 |
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 QX55 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX55 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti QX55 total complaints
- 13
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Infiniti QX55 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Infiniti QX55 avg complaints/year
- 3.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX55
- Infiniti QX55 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN