Head-to-head reliability
Jaguar XE vs FORD F 150
How the Jaguar XE 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
Jaguar XE vs FORD F 150: The XE averages 7.4 complaints per year with 9 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 has far more reported power train and electrical issues, including limp mode and lead frame failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Jaguar XE or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE is a compact luxury sedan with low annual complaint volume—37 over five years, about 7.4 per year. Owners report sudden power loss, transmission-not-in-park no-start conditions, engine faults, rear camera failures, and air bag warnings. With 9 recalls and 5 injuries reported, living with an XE means watching for electrical and engine gremlins that can strand you.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint record: 11,621 over ten years, averaging 1,162 per year. The dominant theme is power train trouble—roughly 3,648 complaints—often involving limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. Electrical issues, including rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass, are also common. With 151 recalls and 297 injuries, this is a high-maintenance vehicle with many known safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Jaguar XE | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 37 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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.
Jaguar XE
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- 02ENGINE11
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION6
- 04AIR BAGS5
- 05FUEL SYSTEM3
Owners report sudden power loss at highway speeds with an unresponsive accelerator, plus no-start conditions where the car falsely claims the transmission isn't in park. These faults can leave you stranded or unable to maintain speed, a serious safety concern.
Complaints include check engine lights leading to major repairs, such as needing a new timing chain on a 2019 XE with under 50,000 miles. Engine problems can be costly and may appear at relatively low mileage.
Rear-view camera failures are a recurring issue, with some owners reporting that a recall (H535) did not restore camera function. A non-working camera makes reversing riskier, especially in tight spots.
Owners report air bag warning lights and at least one crash with injuries (sternum and rib fractures) where air bag performance was questioned. Warning lights mean the system may not deploy correctly in a crash.
“While driving on the highway at normal operating speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost power, and the accelerator pedal became completely unresponsive, preventing me from maintaining speed or safely exiting the roadway. This created a severe safety hazard, as I w…”
“Purchased 2020 jaguar XE with under 13,000 miles on it 2 years ago now has 23,000 miles on it. Went to leave for work and my car wouldn’t start stating the transmission wasn’t in park and other messages and tried jumping it wouldn’t work. Wouldnt switch gears…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint by far: transmissions that go into limp mode, get stuck in 5th gear, or fail due to lead frame and output speed sensor issues. One owner said a lead frame failure 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk.
Electrical gremlins include the same lead frame problem and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter outward. These faults can disable the truck or create sudden hazards.
This catch-all includes the exploding rear window and other odd failures. For a buyer, it signals that not all problems are easily categorized or predictable.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are frequent. Faulty lights reduce visibility and can lead to tickets or accidents, especially at night.
“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.
Jaguar XE — 9 recalls
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 and 2020 Jaguar XE vehicles that received a replacement rear rail assembly as part of a service repair. Missing spot welds may weaken the structural strength of the rear rail assembly.
The risk: The weakened rear rail assembly may allow the rear bumper beam to detach when the vehicle is being towed or the tow-bar assembly to detach when towing a trailer. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear rail assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is H349.
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Jaguar XF and F-Pace, 2016-2017 Jaguar XJ and 2018 Jaguar XE vehicles. The instrument cluster (IC) may intermittently go blank.
The risk: A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 19, 2017. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is H0…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2018 Jaguar XE, XF, E-PACE, F-PACE and F-TYPE vehicles equipped with a 2.0L gasoline engine. The fuel rail end caps may leak, possibly resulting in fuel vapor or liquid fuel leaking into the engine bay.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began on March 8, 2018. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is H081.
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Jaguar) is recalling certain 2017 XE vehicles equipped with a 2.0L diesel engine. The vehicles have a fuel return hose that may leak.
The risk: A diesel fuel leak onto the road surface may cause a skid hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. If the fuel leak contacts a hot engine or exhaust component, there would be an increased risk of a fire.
The fix: Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel return hose, free of charge. The began May 2, 2017. Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is H016.
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
Jaguar XE or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Jaguar XE has far fewer issues per year—about 7.4 complaints annually versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, the XE owner deals with fewer but potentially severe electrical and engine faults, while the F-150 owner faces a constant stream of power train and electrical problems. The F-150's much higher complaint rate means more trips to the shop and more known safety defects.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Jaguar XE averages 7.4 per year; Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year—a massive difference in reported problems.
- Top issue: XE owners report sudden power loss and no-start electrical faults; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and stuck gears.
- Recalls: XE has 9 recalls; F-150 has 151 recalls, meaning more known safety defects to track.
- Injuries: XE has 5 injuries reported; F-150 has 297 injuries reported, reflecting the higher complaint volume and crash-related issues.
- Check for any history of sudden power loss or unresponsive accelerator—test drive at highway speeds and scan for electrical fault codes.
- Verify rear-view camera operation and confirm whether recall H535 was performed and actually fixed the camera.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: look for limp mode, delayed engagement, or getting stuck in 5th gear; ask for lead frame replacement records.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or shattering; check for recall 26S28 completion.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- For the Jaguar XE, have a mechanic check the electrical system, engine timing chain, and rear camera function.
- For the Ford F-150, have a transmission specialist inspect the lead frame, output speed sensor, and shift quality.
- Ask for a complete service history, especially any transmission or electrical repairs.
- During the test drive, include highway speeds and reverse to check for power loss, limp mode, and camera operation.
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 | Jaguar XE | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 2 | 44 |
| 2019 | 7 | 52 |
| 2018 | 8 | 79 |
| 2017 | 20 | 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 Jaguar XE or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Jaguar XE vs FORD F 150
- Jaguar XE total complaints
- 37
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Jaguar XE total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Jaguar XE avg complaints/year
- 7.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Jaguar XE
- Jaguar XE top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN