Head-to-head reliability
Lamborghini Aventador vs FORD F 150
How the Lamborghini Aventador 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
Lamborghini Aventador vs FORD F 150: The Aventador has only 2 complaints over 10 years (0.2/yr) versus the F-150's 11,311 (1,131/yr). Aventador issues include engine fire and stalling; F-150 problems are transmission harshness and electrical failures. The F-150 has 145 recalls, Aventador 13. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lamborghini Aventador or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lamborghini Aventador
The Lamborghini Aventador is an exotic, high-performance supercar that, in ownership terms, is a low-volume, high-cost vehicle. Over a decade, it has generated only two complaints, averaging 0.2 per year, which is remarkably low. The complaints involve engine, fuel/propulsion, and powertrain issues, including a stall while transporting and a fire incident linked to a joyriding valet. This suggests that while the car is generally reliable in terms of owner-reported problems, the few issues that do occur can be severe and are often related to extreme driving or misuse.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup truck with a high ownership base, reflected in its 11,311 complaints over ten years (1,131.1 per year). The dominant issues are in the powertrain, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners frequently reporting hard shifting, loss of power, and malfunctioning driver-assist features. The high complaint volume and 145 recalls indicate that while the F-150 is popular, it has a higher rate of reported problems, some of which can be safety-related, as seen in 328 crash-related complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lamborghini Aventador | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 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.
Lamborghini Aventador
- 01ENGINE1
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 03POWER TRAIN1
One complaint references a YouTube video of an Aventador catching fire, though the context suggests it was due to a valet joyriding, not a design defect. This highlights that engine fires can occur, but may be triggered by extreme misuse rather than normal operation.
The same fire incident is listed under this component, indicating that fuel system integrity can be compromised in high-stress situations, leading to fire risk. Owners should be aware of the potential for fuel leaks or vapor ignition under extreme conditions.
A 2018 Aventador S stalled twice while being transported to a trailer, suggesting possible transmission or engine control issues that can cause unexpected shutdowns. This is a serious safety concern if it occurs during driving, though the context here was low-speed maneuvering.
“HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TMAMYY4EJEQ HTTP://WWW.NYDAILYNEWS.COM/AUTOS/NEWS/JOYRIDING-VALET-SENDS-LAMBORGHINI-AVENTADOR-FLAMES-ARTICLE-1.2501660”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, particularly in the 10-speed automatic, with symptoms like jerking, clunking, and even loss of power and vehicle shutdown. This can be dangerous in traffic, as one owner experienced a complete loss of power on a crowded road.
Many complaints involve warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist being unavailable, which can disable safety features. Additionally, some owners report loud bangs from the transmission area, possibly linked to electrical or sensor issues.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints are common, with issues like flickering or failure, which can reduce visibility at night and increase crash risk.
Engine-related complaints include stalling and performance issues, though less frequent than powertrain or electrical problems. These can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
“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.
Lamborghini Aventador — 13 recalls
The defect: Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Lamborghini Aventador Coupe and Roadster vehicles. The engine may stall unexpectedly during certain driving conditions such as when the accelerator pedal is released below 2000 rpms while the transmission is automatically down shif…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lamborghini will notify owners, and dealers will install updated engine software, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini's number for this recall is L…
The defect: Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Lamborghini Aventador Coupe and Roadster vehicles. The engine may stall unexpectedly during certain driving conditions such as when the accelerator pedal is released below 2000 rpms while the transmission is automatically down shif…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lamborghini will notify owners, and dealers will install updated engine software, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini's number for this recall is L…
The defect: Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Lamborghini Aventador Coupe and Roadster vehicles. The engine may stall unexpectedly during certain driving conditions such as when the accelerator pedal is released below 2000 rpms while the transmission is automatically down shif…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lamborghini will notify owners, and dealers will install updated engine software, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini's number for this recall is L…
The defect: Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Lamborghini Aventador Coupe and Roadster vehicles. The engine may stall unexpectedly during certain driving conditions such as when the accelerator pedal is released below 2000 rpms while the transmission is automatically down shif…
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lamborghini will notify owners, and dealers will install updated engine software, free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini's number for this recall is L…
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
Lamborghini Aventador or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lamborghini Aventador has far fewer complaints per year (0.2) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a much lower rate of owner-reported issues. However, the Aventador's issues, when they occur, can be catastrophic (e.g., fire), while the F-150's problems are more frequent but often less severe individually. In practice, the Aventador is likely to be more reliable in terms of frequency, but the F-150's issues are more common and can affect daily usability.
Key differences
- The Aventador has only 2 complaints in 10 years, while the F-150 has over 11,000, reflecting vastly different ownership scales and reliability profiles.
- Aventador complaints involve engine fire and stalling, which are rare but severe; F-150 complaints focus on transmission harshness and electrical glitches that are frequent and annoying.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus the Aventador's 13, indicating more proactive safety campaigns on the Ford, but also more identified defects.
- Crash-related complaints: F-150 has 328, while Aventador has 0, suggesting the F-150's issues more often lead to accidents.
- Inspect the engine bay and fuel lines for any signs of leaks or previous fire damage, given the reported fire incident.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting, especially during low-speed maneuvers, as stalling has been reported.
- Check the transmission for hard shifts or clunks during a test drive, particularly between 4th-6th gears, and listen for unusual noises.
- Verify that all driver-assist features (front camera, pre-collision) work without warning lights, as these are common failure points.
Before you buy
- For the Aventador: obtain a full service history and have a pre-purchase inspection by a Lamborghini specialist, focusing on engine and transmission.
- For the F-150: check for any open recalls and ensure they are performed, especially those related to transmission and lighting.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to assess transmission behavior.
- Review NHTSA complaint data for the specific model year you're considering to identify common issues.
- Consider extended warranty or service plans, as repairs for both vehicles can be costly, especially for the Aventador.
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 | Lamborghini Aventador | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 1 | 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 Lamborghini Aventador or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lamborghini Aventador vs FORD F 150
- Lamborghini Aventador total complaints
- 2
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Lamborghini Aventador total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Lamborghini Aventador avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Lamborghini Aventador
- Lamborghini Aventador top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN