Head-to-head reliability
LAND Rover Range Rover vs FORD F 150
How the LAND Rover Range Rover 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 Range Rover vs FORD F 150: The Range Rover averaged 134.6 complaints per year with 59 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The Range Rover had 9 deaths reported, the F-150 had 1. Both have electrical and powertrain issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the LAND Rover Range Rover or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
LAND Rover Range Rover
The LAND Rover Range Rover is a luxury SUV that demands attention. Over 10 years, it averaged 134.6 complaints per year, with 59 recalls and 65 injuries reported. Owners frequently report electrical fires, engine shutdowns, and steering failures, making it a high-maintenance vehicle that can be costly and potentially dangerous if neglected.
FORD F 150
The FORD F 150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging 1,162.1 per year. Despite 151 recalls and 297 injuries, the sheer number of trucks on the road means many issues are widespread but often addressed. Common problems include transmission limp mode and electrical glitches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | LAND Rover Range Rover | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,346 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 59 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 58 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 134.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 65 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 9 | 1 Better |
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 Range Rover
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM290
- 02ENGINE257
- 03STEERING235
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER197
- 05SUSPENSION167
Owners report burning smells and smoke from the wheel well, often while driving. This suggests wiring or component failures that could lead to fires, a serious safety concern.
Complaints describe sudden loss of propulsion due to powertrain control module and fuel pump driver module failures. This can leave drivers stranded or cause accidents at speed.
Reports include complete electrical shutdown and dead power steering, requiring towing and software updates. This can make the vehicle uncontrollable.
While specific complaints are not detailed, suspension issues are common and can affect ride comfort and handling, especially on rough roads.
“While driving on the highway, a strong burning smell began inside the vehicle, similar to a brush or forest fire. At first it was unclear whether the smell was coming from outside, but when traffic slowed, smoke was seen coming from the driver-side wheel well…”
“I purchased this Range Rover in November of 2022. The vehicle was serviced once at the dealership for wind noise on June 26, 2023. The vehicle was parked at my home for a week while our family was on vacation before I returned on August 10th, 2023. It was not…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. This is a recurring and dangerous defect.
Lead frame issues also appear here, along with rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. These electrical faults can be unpredictable and costly.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific failure modes are not detailed. Faulty lights reduce visibility and can lead to accidents.
Engine complaints are less frequent than power train, but still significant. Issues may include stalling or poor performance, requiring costly repairs.
“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 Range Rover — 59 recalls
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Discovery vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with V6 or V8 engines whose crankshaft pulley retaining bolt may fracture possibly resulting in engine failure.
The risk: Engine failure can increase the risk of crash.
The fix: Land Rover has notified owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft pulley center retaining bolt, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2019. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The Auto High Beam (AHB) system does not indicate through the instrument cluster when the high beams are illuminated automatically. As such, t…
The risk: The driver may be unaware that the high beams are illuminated, reducing visibility for oncoming traffic, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N556.
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles equipped with a Surround Camera System. Water may enter into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the display or display a distorted…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and add a new seal or replace the camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to Range Rover owners March 4, 2024. Interim notification letters were mailed to Range Rover Sport ow…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles. The engine mounted oil cooler hoses may not be secured properly, which can result in oil leaking onto the road.
The risk: Oil leaking onto the road can cause a hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fasteners and the oil cooler hoses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 18, 2024. 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 Range Rover or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The LAND Rover Range Rover has far fewer complaints per year (134.6 vs. 1,162.1), but its issues often involve severe safety defects like fires and sudden power loss. The Ford F-150 has more complaints overall, but many are related to widespread transmission problems that have known fixes. In practice, the Range Rover may be less reliable per vehicle, while the F-150's issues are more common but better documented.
Key differences
- The Range Rover has 59 recalls and 9 deaths reported, while the F-150 has 151 recalls and 1 death, indicating different risk profiles.
- Range Rover complaints often involve electrical fires and sudden engine shutdowns, whereas F-150 complaints frequently cite transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has over 8 times more complaints per year, but many are due to its higher production volume.
- Both vehicles have electrical system issues, but the Range Rover's are more often linked to smoke and fire, while the F-150's include window shattering and sensor failures.
- Check for signs of electrical burning or smoke near the wheel wells and under the hood, as owners report fires.
- Test drive and listen for steering noises or warning lights, as sudden electrical shutdowns can occur.
- Test the transmission for shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for cracks or shattering, a reported issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for both vehicles.
- For the Range Rover, specifically check for software updates related to steering and engine control.
- For the F-150, test the transmission thoroughly and check for lead frame replacement history.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the model's common issues.
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 | LAND Rover Range Rover | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 35 |
| 2025 | 3 | 345 |
| 2024 | 10 | 638 |
| 2023 | 21 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 45 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 76 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 163 | 44 |
| 2019 | 15 | 52 |
| 2018 | 203 | 79 |
| 2017 | 808 | 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 LAND Rover Range Rover or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- LAND Rover Range Rover vs FORD F 150
- LAND Rover Range Rover total complaints
- 1,346
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- LAND Rover Range Rover total recalls
- 59
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- LAND Rover Range Rover avg complaints/year
- 134.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- LAND Rover Range Rover
- LAND Rover Range Rover top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN