Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX70 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti QX70 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 QX70 vs FORD F 150: The QX70 has 23 complaints over 5 years (4.6/year) and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150's higher volume includes transmission and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX70 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX70
The Infiniti QX70 is a luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 23 complaints over 5 years, averaging 4.6 per year. Owners report a mix of electrical, brake, air bag, and power train issues, including water leaks that cause stalling, brake fluid leaks that can lead to electrical fires, and transmission problems. While the number of complaints is small, the nature of some issues—like brake failure and fire risk—means a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
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 problem areas are the power train and electrical system, with owners frequently reporting transmission issues such as limp mode and hard shifting, often linked to the lead frame or output speed sensor. There are also reports of rear window defroster shorts causing windows to shatter. With 151 recalls and hundreds of crash-related complaints, this truck demands careful attention to recall history and transmission health.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX70 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 23 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 QX70
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02SERVICE BRAKES4
- 03AIR BAGS4
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STRUCTURE2
Owners report water leaking onto the driver-side floor from defective sunroof drains, which can cause the car to stall or not start after rain. Another complaint describes brake fluid leaking onto the ABS actuator circuit board, creating an electrical fire that melted the engine harness.
One owner reported that while backing out of a garage, the brakes had no effect and the car rolled across the street, stopping just short of a neighbor's garage. Another complaint links brake fluid leaks to electrical fires, indicating a potential safety hazard.
Owners report failures in the passenger-side airbag system, including sensors and the occupancy classification system (OCS) integrated into the seat. These failures can cause the airbag warning light to illuminate and may prevent the airbag from deploying correctly in a crash.
Complaints describe the transmission failing to change gears or hard shifting, sometimes triggering a check engine light. One owner noted this happened on two different QX70s, suggesting a recurring issue that may require costly repairs.
“Multiple incidents of car not starting or stalling in rain. 1. After a rainstorm while parked, noticed water on the driver side floor and dripping from the driver door side under dashboard, water coming from defective design of sunroof water drains/tubing whi…”
“Brake fluid began leaking onto the ABS actuator circuit board and created an electrical fire. This melted the engine harness and the connector to the abs module. This was confirmed by dealership technicians at Sewell Infiniti - Dallas. Dealership informed me…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and hard shifting. The 'lead frame' issue is frequently mentioned, with one owner saying it nearly caused a life-threatening collision and that it has persisted for over a decade without a proper remedy.
Electrical complaints often involve the same lead frame issue, as well as output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. One owner described a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to explode outward, shattering glass.
This category includes the rear window defroster short that led to the window shattering. Such failures can be dangerous and expensive to fix, and they may not be covered by recalls.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common. While specific complaint text is not provided, this high count suggests frequent problems with lights that could affect visibility and safety.
“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 QX70 — 2 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fu…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fu…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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 QX70 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX70 has far fewer complaints per year (4.6) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), indicating a much lower reported problem rate. However, the QX70's issues include serious safety concerns like brake failure and fire risk, while the F-150's high volume means transmission and electrical problems are widespread. In practice, the QX70 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but the F-150's issues are more numerous and well-documented.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the Infiniti QX70 has only 23 over 5 years, showing a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- QX70 owners report brake fluid leaks causing electrical fires and brake failure, whereas F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls, including engine and air bag issues, compared to just 2 fuel system recalls for the QX70.
- F-150 complaints include a rear window defroster short that caused the window to shatter, a unique and dangerous issue not seen in the QX70 data.
- Check for water leaks in the driver-side floor and under the dashboard, especially after rain, as this can cause stalling and electrical problems.
- Inspect the brake system for fluid leaks around the ABS actuator, as this has been linked to electrical fires and brake failure.
- Test the transmission for hard shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear, and ask for proof that the lead frame and output speed sensor recalls have been addressed.
- Check the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of overheating or shorts that could cause the window to shatter.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150's transmission and air bag recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Infiniti QX70 for water leaks, brake fluid leaks, and air bag system functionality.
- For the Ford F-150, test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission issues and ensure the truck shifts smoothly through all gears.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and any electrical repairs.
- Check the NHTSA website for any open recalls on the specific vehicle by VIN before purchase.
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 QX70 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 8 | 59 |
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 QX70 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX70 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti QX70 total complaints
- 23
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Infiniti QX70 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Infiniti QX70 avg complaints/year
- 4.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX70
- Infiniti QX70 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN