Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu NQR vs FORD F 150
How the Isuzu NQR 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 NQR vs FORD F 150: The NQR has zero complaints over 10 years, while the F-150 has over 11,000, with transmission issues being the top problem. The F-150 also has 145 recalls compared to the NQR's 14. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu NQR or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu NQR
The Isuzu NQR is a commercial-duty truck, typically used for hauling and delivery, where owners prioritize durability over comfort. With zero complaints on record over a decade, it presents an exceptionally quiet reliability profile, though this may reflect lower ownership volume or less consumer reporting. The recall history focuses on structural and suspension components, such as leaf spring U-bolts and frame members, indicating potential long-term wear areas rather than immediate safety defects. For a buyer, this suggests a vehicle that may be dependable in daily operation but requires attention to chassis integrity over time.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a massive owner base, and its complaint data reveals significant issues, particularly with the 10-speed automatic transmission (10R80). Owners report hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden power loss, which can be alarming and potentially hazardous in traffic. Electrical system problems, including camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, add to the list of frustrations. With over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls, the F-150 shows a pattern of recurring issues that buyers should investigate thoroughly before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu NQR | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Isuzu NQR
No component data available.
Recalls target rear leaf spring U-bolts, which can loosen or fail, leading to axle movement and potential loss of control. Owners should inspect for signs of corrosion or looseness.
Frame and member recalls suggest possible cracking or corrosion in critical structural areas, which could compromise vehicle integrity in a crash or under heavy load.
Lug nut and stud issues are noted in recalls, which could lead to wheel detachment if not addressed. Check for proper torque and any signs of wear.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power. Some describe sudden shutdowns and restarts, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Frequent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability indicate sensor or software issues. These can disable safety features, reducing driver assistance.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest potential failures or poor visibility, which is critical for night driving safety.
Engine-related recalls and complaints point to possible stalling or performance issues, though specifics vary. Owners should check for any engine warning lights or unusual behavior.
“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.
Isuzu NQR — 14 recalls
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2020 Isuzu NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR and NRR and Chevrolet 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD and 5500XD and 2019 Isuzu NPR HD GAS, NPR GAS and Chevrolet 4500 and Chevrolet 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual mode belt locking mechanism seat belt as…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant is not properly restrained, there is an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638 or Chevrolet customer serv…
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Isuzu NPR, Reach, 2016-2020 Isuzu NPR XD, NPR HD, NQR, 2016-2021 Isuzu NRR, 2017-2020 Chevrolet 4500XD, 4500HD, 5500HD, and 2020 Chevrolet 5500XD vehicles. The U-bolt nuts for the rear axle may not have been properly tig…
The risk: The misalignment may cause the propeller shaft to separate, causing a loss of power to the rear wheels and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace and tighten the rear axle U-bolt nuts, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. Isuzu's numb…
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2017-2020 NPR-HD, 2019-2020 NPR-XD, NQR, NRR, Chevrolet 4500HD, Chevrolet 5500HD and Chevrolet 5500XD, and 2020 Chevrolet 4500XD vehicles. The lug nuts on the rear outer wheels may not have been properly tightened when installed o…
The risk: If the lug nuts were not properly tightened, they can loosen, causing the to wheel separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear outer wheel lug nuts and tightening or replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638…
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Isuzu NPR, Reach, 2016-2020 Isuzu NPR XD, NPR HD, NQR, 2016-2021 Isuzu NRR, 2017-2020 Chevrolet 4500XD, 4500HD, 5500HD, and 2020 Chevrolet 5500XD vehicles. The U-bolt nuts for the rear axle may not have been properly tig…
The risk: The misalignment may cause the propeller shaft to separate, causing a loss of power to the rear wheels and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace and tighten the rear axle U-bolt nuts, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. Isuzu's numb…
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
Isuzu NQR or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Isuzu NQR has zero complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100 complaints annually, indicating a stark difference in reported reliability. The F-150's issues are more frequent and involve safety-critical systems like transmission and electrical, whereas the NQR's recalls are structural but not reflected in owner complaints. In practice, the NQR may offer lower day-to-day hassle, but the F-150's popularity means more data and potentially more support.
Key differences
- The F-150 has a high volume of transmission complaints (hard shifts, jerking, power loss), while the NQR has none on record.
- Electrical system issues are common in the F-150 (camera and pre-collision malfunctions), but the NQR has no such reports.
- The NQR's recalls focus on suspension and frame components, whereas the F-150's recalls span lighting, battery cables, engine, and seats.
- The F-150 has crash-related complaints and injuries, while the NQR has zero, suggesting different safety incident patterns.
- Inspect the rear leaf spring U-bolts for corrosion or looseness, as recalls indicate a risk of failure.
- Check the frame for any signs of cracking or rust, especially near mounting points, due to structural recalls.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts or jerking during a test drive, especially between 4th-8th gears, as this is a common issue.
- Look for warning messages about front camera or pre-collision assist on startup, which indicate electrical sensor problems.
Before you buy
- For the Isuzu NQR, have a mechanic inspect the suspension and frame for any signs of wear or prior repairs.
- For the Ford F-150, check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed, especially transmission and electrical ones.
- Take the F-150 on a highway test drive to experience shifting at higher gears and listen for clunks or bangs.
- Ask for service records on the F-150 to see if transmission or electrical issues have been previously reported and fixed.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic for either vehicle to identify hidden problems.
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 | Isuzu NQR | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Isuzu NQR or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu NQR vs FORD F 150
- Isuzu NQR total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Isuzu NQR total recalls
- 14
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Isuzu NQR avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu NQR
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN