Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX80 vs FORD F 150
How the Infiniti QX80 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 QX80 vs FORD F 150: The QX80 averages 7.7 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1. QX80 issues often involve airbags and forward collision systems, while F-150 problems center on transmission shifting. The F-150 has 145 recalls, the QX80 has 19. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX80 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX80
The Infiniti QX80 is a large luxury SUV that, in ownership terms, presents a mixed picture: it has a relatively low complaint volume (77 over 10 years), but the issues that do surface often involve complex electronics and safety systems. Owners report problems with the infotainment screen, USB-C ports, and, more critically, the airbag system and forward collision avoidance, sometimes disabling safety features. While not high-frequency, these failures can be costly and concerning for a buyer expecting a premium, trouble-free experience.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a best-selling pickup with a much higher complaint volume (11,311 over 10 years), reflecting its popularity and widespread use. The dominant issue is the powertrain, specifically the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard-shifting, jerking, and occasionally losing power. Electrical problems, including camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, also appear frequently. For a buyer, this means a higher likelihood of encountering drivability issues, but the sheer number of trucks on the road also means many are trouble-free.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX80 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 77 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 QX80
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03AIR BAGS10
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE9
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
Owners report failures in the infotainment/Apple CarPlay system and USB-C ports, as well as a 'systemic U1000 Electrical Network Jam' from an obsolete 2G TCU that can disable airbags. This suggests a broader electrical gremlin that can affect both convenience and safety features.
Some owners report that the passenger airbag disarms when a small adult (like a 120-lb wife) sits in the seat, illuminating the airbag light and potentially leaving the passenger unprotected in a crash. Others have seen airbag codes due to the electrical network issue.
The front collision detection/crash sensor system can fail, and some owners report unintended braking, especially over certain road surfaces, which could be startling or dangerous in traffic.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Two components have failed: the infotainment/Apple CarPlay system, including the USB-C connectivity port, and the front collision detection/crash sensor system.…”
“Vehicle acting as a non conforming testing asset running in Factory Debug Mode (Unit ID: 01). This also shows and caused systemic U1000 Electrical Network Jam from an obsolete/unconfigured 2G TCU. Critical Failures: Airbags disabled showing current codes B002…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is the 10R80 automatic transmission, with owners reporting hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power or vehicle shutdown. This can be a safety concern if it happens in traffic.
Many owners see warnings for 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on startup, indicating issues with the camera and driver-assist systems. These may be persistent and require dealer visits.
While not detailed in the sample, the high number of complaints in this area suggests headlight or other exterior light failures, which can affect visibility and safety at night.
“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 QX80 — 19 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Rogue and 2025 INFINITI QX80 vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Sa…
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The in-vehicle infotainment software will be updated by an over-the-air (OTA) software update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with an Around View Monitor (AVM). A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze and display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requir…
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the AVM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B5 and R24C2.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, 2025-2026 Armada, and Infiniti QX80 vehicles. A software error may occur in the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is shifted into rever…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The IVI system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Nissan Armada, 2011-2013 Infiniti QX56, and 2014-2027 QX80 vehicles equipped with 22" wheels. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the certification label is incorrect, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such,…
The risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install new labels, free of charge. Additionally, Nissan will mail replacement labels to owners. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Additional letters will be sent on…
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 QX80 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX80 has far fewer complaints per year (7.7 vs 1,131.1), but its issues are more safety-critical, involving airbags and collision avoidance. The Ford F-150's higher complaint rate is dominated by transmission problems that affect drivability but are less likely to disable safety systems. In practice, the QX80 may offer a more reliable overall experience, but the F-150's issues are more predictable and well-known.
Key differences
- The QX80's complaints center on electrical and safety systems (airbags, forward collision), while the F-150's are dominated by transmission problems.
- The QX80 has a much lower complaint rate per year (7.7 vs 1,131.1), but its issues can disable safety features.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs 19) and more crash/injury reports, but that's partly due to its much larger sales volume.
- Owners of the QX80 report specific infotainment and USB-C failures, while F-150 owners report persistent camera and pre-collision warnings.
- Check that the infotainment screen and USB-C ports work properly, as failures are common.
- Verify that the airbag system shows no warning lights, especially with a smaller adult in the passenger seat.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Look for any warning messages about the front camera or pre-collision assist on startup.
Before you buy
- For the QX80, have a mechanic scan for any stored airbag or electrical codes, and test all USB ports and the infotainment system.
- For the F-150, take it on a highway test drive to experience transmission shifts under load, and check for any pending powertrain codes.
- Review the vehicle's recall history and ensure all recalls have been performed.
- Ask for service records, especially for transmission repairs or software updates on the F-150.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic familiar with these models.
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 QX80 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 24 |
| 2025 | 8 | 329 |
| 2024 | 2 | 617 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 7 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 6 | 33 |
| 2019 | 20 | 36 |
| 2018 | 9 | 56 |
| 2017 | 17 | 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 QX80 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX80 vs FORD F 150
- Infiniti QX80 total complaints
- 77
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Infiniti QX80 total recalls
- 19
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Infiniti QX80 avg complaints/year
- 7.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX80
- Infiniti QX80 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN