Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu I 290 vs FORD F 150
How the Isuzu I 290 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 I 290 vs FORD F 150: The Isuzu I 290 has 15 complaints over 2 years (7.5/year) and 2 recalls, while the Ford F 150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; the Isuzu reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu I 290 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu I 290
The Isuzu I 290 is a compact pickup with a low complaint volume—15 over two years—but the pattern is troubling. Owners repeatedly report a no-start condition tied to the Passlock II anti-theft system, plus engine stalling and reduced-power limp modes. These are everyday-drivability failures, not minor annoyances, and the dealer often can't reproduce them.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint count—over 11,600 in ten years—and 151 recalls. The dominant theme is powertrain trouble: transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead-frame electrical faults that can cause sudden loss of power. There are also 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, so the stakes are higher.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu I 290 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 15 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.5 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 I 290
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE4
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the Passlock II anti-theft system intermittently locking out the ignition so the truck won't start, eventually becoming a daily occurrence. This leaves you stranded and is hard for dealers to diagnose.
Complaints describe a 'reduce power' light followed by the engine killing while driving or idling, limiting speed to about 15 mph. Another owner reports intermittent crank-but-no-start after refueling that worsens over time.
The same stalling and reduced-power events are filed here, often after refueling or at idle. These failures can strand you and may recur even after dealer visits.
One owner reported the vehicle shutting off while slowing to about 5 mph, nearly causing a collision. This suggests the stalling issue can occur in low-speed traffic, not just at start-up.
“THE PASSLOCKII SYSTEM LOCKS OUT THE IGNITION SO IT WON'T START. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT HAS BECOME A DAILY OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THEM. THIS SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND THE MANUFACTURER KNEW IT WHEN THEY MADE THE…”
“THIS TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTEN STARTING PROBLEM. AMBIENT TEMPERTURE SEEMS TO HAVE SOME BEARING ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE OCCURANCE, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I VISITED COLORODO HAVING MUCH LOWER TEMPERATURE THAN IN SOUTH TEXAS, I HAD ZERO OCCURANCES AND WHEN I…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe a 'lead frame' fault causing sudden limp mode, stuck gears, and near-collisions, plus a 2017 V8 with a 6-speed automatic that goes into limp mode almost daily and sticks in 5th gear. These are serious drivability and safety concerns.
The lead-frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, with one owner citing a near-death experience. Another reports a 2017 F-150 entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) despite a recall software update.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward shortly after using the defroster, attributed to a short in the defroster circuit. This is a sudden, unexpected failure that could injure occupants.
This is a top complaint category with 1,224 reports, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. Buyers should still check all lights and 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 I 290 — 2 recalls
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSI…
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE…
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSI…
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE…
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 I 290 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Isuzu I 290 averages 7.5 complaints per year versus 1,162.1 for the Ford F 150—roughly 155 times fewer. In practice, the Isuzu's problems are more likely to leave you with a no-start or stalling truck, while the Ford's are more likely to involve transmission limp mode and electrical faults at speed, with far more crash and injury reports.
Key differences
- The Isuzu's main reported failure is a no-start from the Passlock II anti-theft system; the Ford's is transmission limp mode and lead-frame electrical faults that can occur while driving.
- The Ford F 150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries in the data; the Isuzu I 290 has zero crash-related complaints, injuries, or deaths.
- The Isuzu has 2 recalls (both brake-light switch); the Ford has 151 recalls covering engine, seat belts, door latches, and airbag inflators.
- The Isuzu averages 7.5 complaints per year; the Ford averages 1,162.1 per year, so the Ford's problem volume is vastly higher even accounting for sales volume.
- Test cold and warm starts repeatedly—if the truck cranks but won't fire, or the security light stays on, the Passlock II system may be failing.
- During a test drive, watch for a 'reduce power' light, stalling at idle or low speed, and any hesitation after refueling.
- Scan for transmission codes (especially P0722) and test-drive at highway speed to check for limp mode, stuck gears, or harsh shifting.
- Inspect the rear window defroster operation and look for any signs of overheating or shorts in the rear glass circuit.
Before you buy
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model's known faults (Passlock II for the Isuzu; lead frame and transmission for the Ford).
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm all open recalls have been completed, especially the Ford's 151 recalls.
- For the Isuzu, test the anti-theft system by locking and unlocking, then starting multiple times; for the Ford, test-drive long enough to reach highway speeds and check for limp mode.
- Request service records showing any prior fixes for stalling, no-start, or transmission issues, and verify whether the Ford's recall software updates were actually applied.
- Check all exterior lights, including brake lights, and on the Ford inspect the rear window defroster for proper operation.
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 I 290 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu I 290 vs FORD F 150
- Isuzu I 290 total complaints
- 15
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Isuzu I 290 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Isuzu I 290 avg complaints/year
- 7.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu I 290
- Isuzu I 290 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN