Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu Hombre vs FORD F 150
How the Isuzu Hombre 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
Isuzu Hombre vs FORD F 150: The Hombre shows 7 complaints over 1 year (7.0/yr) with 1 recall and 0 injuries, while the F-150 shows 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/yr) with 151 recalls and 297 injuries. The Hombre's sample flags air bag and brake failures; the F-150's flags transmission and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu Hombre or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu Hombre
The Isuzu Hombre is a compact pickup with a very small complaint footprint: just 7 complaints over one year, averaging 7.0 per year. The pattern is dominated by air bag non-deployment in crashes and brake hydraulic failures, with a single wiring/transmission/catalyst complaint appearing under several component labels. For a buyer, this suggests a simple older truck where the few reported problems are serious safety-system failures rather than everyday nuisance issues.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint record: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162.1 per year, plus 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported. The dominant theme is power train and electrical problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures, along with rear-window defroster shorts that can shatter glass. Living with one means staying on top of recalls and being alert to transmission and electrical symptoms.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu Hombre | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.0 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.
Isuzu Hombre
- 01AIR BAGS2
- 02SERVICE BRAKES2
- 03HYDRAULIC2
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report frontal collisions at roughly 45 mph where the air bags failed to deploy, in some cases totaling the vehicle. For a buyer, this is a critical safety-system concern that should be checked by a qualified technician before purchase.
One owner reported the brake pedal going straight to the floor at 5 mph, traced to a failed master cylinder that was replaced. A soft or sinking pedal on a test drive is a warning sign of hydraulic brake trouble.
The same brake-pedal-to-the-floor complaint is also filed under hydraulic, reinforcing that brake hydraulic components are a reported weak point. Buyers should inspect for leaks and have the brake system pressure-tested.
A combined complaint mentions dashboard lights dimming, headlights shutting off intermittently at night, a transmission that would not shift into first gear, and catalytic converter issues. This points to electrical and drivability gremlins that can be hard to diagnose.
“I WAS IN A COLLISION AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR SQUARELY WITH THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE PRIOR T…”
“WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL AND SIDE COLLISIONS. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems, including limp mode and being stuck in 5th gear, and a long-running lead-frame issue that one owner said nearly ended their life. These are drivability and safety concerns that can strand a driver or cause a near-collision.
The lead-frame problem also appears under electrical, and one owner reported a 2017 F-150 entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure after a recall software update. Electrical faults here can trigger transmission limp mode and other warning symptoms.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward shortly after using the rear defroster, attributed to a short in the defroster circuit. This is a sudden, surprising failure that buyers should watch for on trucks with rear defrost.
Exterior lighting is among the top complaint components, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. Given the volume, buyers should test all lights and check for related recalls.
“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.
Isuzu Hombre — 1 recall
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT PAYLOAD INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE PAYLOAD SHOWN ON THE LABEL IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM VALIDATED PAYLOAD. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOADED TO THE INCORREC…
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE.
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
Isuzu Hombre or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Isuzu Hombre has far fewer issues per year (7.0 versus 1,162.1 for the F-150), but its small sample includes serious air bag and brake failures. The F-150's much larger complaint volume reflects a much larger population and a long list of recurring transmission and electrical problems, so in practice the Hombre is simpler but the F-150 demands more recall and repair vigilance.
Key differences
- The Hombre's complaints center on air bags failing to deploy in crashes and brake pedal going to the floor, while the F-150's center on transmission limp mode, lead-frame faults, and electrical issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 reported injuries in the data, versus 1 recall and 0 injuries for the Hombre, so recall tracking is a much bigger ownership task on the Ford.
- The Hombre's sample includes a combined complaint about dimming lights, headlights shutting off, and a no-first-gear transmission, showing electrical/drivability gremlins even in a small sample.
- The F-150 sample includes a rear-window defroster short that shattered the glass, a sudden failure buyers should specifically check.
- Ask whether the air bags have ever been inspected or replaced, and have a technician verify the air bag system, given two reported non-deployments in crashes.
- Test the brake pedal for firmness and look for leaks around the master cylinder, since one owner reported the pedal going to the floor and needing a master cylinder replacement.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially on trucks with the 6-speed automatic, given recurring power train complaints.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and inspect the rear glass for cracks or prior replacement, because one owner reported the window shattering after defroster use.
Before you buy
- Run the NHTSA recall check by VIN for the specific truck and confirm any open recalls have been completed.
- On the Hombre, have a mechanic inspect the air bag system and brake hydraulics, including the master cylinder.
- On the F-150, scan transmission and electrical codes and test drive at highway speed to check for limp mode or stuck gears.
- Test all exterior lights, the rear defroster, and dashboard warning lights on both vehicles.
- Ask for service records showing transmission, brake, and electrical repairs, and walk away if the seller cannot document them.
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 Isuzu Hombre or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu Hombre vs FORD F 150
- Isuzu Hombre total complaints
- 7
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Isuzu Hombre total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Isuzu Hombre avg complaints/year
- 7.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu Hombre
- Isuzu Hombre top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN