Head-to-head reliability
LAND Rover LR2 vs FORD F 150
How the LAND Rover LR2 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
LAND Rover LR2 vs FORD F 150: The LR2 averaged 22.6 complaints per year over 8 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 over 10 years. The F-150 also had 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, versus 10 and 3 for the LR2. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the LAND Rover LR2 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
LAND Rover LR2
The Land Rover LR2 is a compact luxury SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over 8 years, it averaged 22.6 complaints per year, with most issues reported in the power train, electrical system, and engine. Owners frequently describe breakdowns, strange noises, and electrical gremlins that can leave them stranded. While it has fewer total complaints than the F-150, the rate per year is much lower, but the severity of individual problems can still be high.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that is widely used for work and family hauling. Over 10 years, it averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year, with major clusters in the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Many owners report transmission problems, electrical faults, and even rear window shattering. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests that while many trucks serve well, a significant number experience recurring and sometimes dangerous failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | LAND Rover LR2 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 181 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 22.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
LAND Rover LR2
- 01POWER TRAIN79
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
- 03ENGINE22
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
- 05AIR BAGS14
Owners report roaring noises from the rear, rattles in the front end, and emergency brake failure shortly after purchase. These symptoms often point to differential or driveline issues that can worsen and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include batteries that won't stay charged for more than two days, leaving families stranded, and repeated battery replacements. Some also mention brake caliper detachment and warning lights, indicating broader electrical faults.
Owners describe abnormal loud rattling sounds on start-up and engine leaks that cause breakdowns and smoke. These issues can appear intermittently and may require expensive engine repairs.
There are reports of warning lights indicating the passenger air bag is constantly off, meaning air bags may not deploy in a crash. This is a critical safety concern that should be addressed immediately.
“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2010 LAND ROVER LR2 WITH AROUND 61,000 MILES ON IT FROM A FRIEND WHO HAD TAKEN GREAT CARE OF IT. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT A 1000 MILES ON IT IN 2 MONTHS, A ROARING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AROUND AT VARIOUS…”
“The first day I purchased car problems started there was a rattle in the front end and emergency brake did not work. I drove for a short time because dealer told me it was a good reliable car and it shouldnt give me any problems. The rattle got worse tried to…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a 'lead frame' issue that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions, and transmissions that go into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, or fail to shift. These problems can occur daily and compromise safety.
The same lead frame issue affects the electrical system, and some owners experience rear window defroster shorts that cause the back window to shatter. These faults can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Complaints include rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered glass, which can happen without warning. This is a serious safety and structural issue that owners may not anticipate.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, this is a top component with many reports. Buyers should check for lighting failures that could affect visibility and safety.
“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.
LAND Rover LR2 — 10 recalls
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 LR2 and 2012-2013 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. A component within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may fail, resulting in the front seat passenger air bag being totally…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, if the air bag is disabled, the air bag may not deploy or may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the Restraint Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2014. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for th…
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
LAND Rover LR2 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Land Rover LR2 has far fewer complaints per year (22.6) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), but both have serious issues. In practice, the LR2 may have fewer overall problems, but when they occur, they can be severe and costly. The F-150's much higher complaint rate means a buyer is more likely to encounter recurring problems, especially with the power train and electrical system.
Key differences
- The Land Rover LR2 averages 22.6 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The LR2's top issues are power train, electrical, and engine, with reports of roaring noises, battery drain, and engine rattles; the F-150's top issues are also power train and electrical, but include specific 'lead frame' failures and transmission limp mode.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to the LR2's 10 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints, indicating a much higher rate of safety-related defects.
- Both vehicles have air bag concerns: the LR2 has 14 air bag complaints and 5 air bag recalls, while the F-150 has a passenger-side air bag inflator recall, showing that air bag issues are present in both.
- Listen for roaring or rattling noises from the rear or front end during a test drive, as these may indicate power train or driveline problems.
- Check the battery's ability to hold a charge and look for any warning lights related to the electrical system or air bags, as owners report frequent battery drain and air bag deactivation.
- Test the transmission for shuddering, delayed engagement, or going into limp mode, especially during highway driving, as these are common complaints.
- Inspect the rear window for any signs of shattering or defroster malfunction, and check for open recalls related to the lead frame or air bags.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the power train, electrical system, and engine.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or transmission behavior.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and battery replacements.
- For the F-150, specifically ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced or updated per recalls.
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 LAND Rover LR2 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- LAND Rover LR2 vs FORD F 150
- LAND Rover LR2 total complaints
- 181
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- LAND Rover LR2 total recalls
- 10
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- LAND Rover LR2 avg complaints/year
- 22.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- LAND Rover LR2
- LAND Rover LR2 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN