Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GS vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus GS 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
Lexus GS vs FORD F 150: The GS has 16 complaints over 10 years (1.6/year) and 5 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The GS’s main issues are steering and interior trim; the F-150’s are power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GS
The Lexus GS is a luxury sedan that, over the past decade, has generated a relatively low 16 owner complaints to NHTSA—about 1.6 per year. The most common trouble spots are steering (7 complaints) and various interior or unknown issues (5 complaints). While the GS has 5 recalls, all for the fuel pump, the overall pattern suggests a car that owners generally find dependable but with some persistent annoyances like sticky dashboards and intermittent lane-keeping assist.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has racked up 11,621 complaints over 10 years—an average of 1,162 per year—along with 151 recalls. The dominant complaint areas are the power train (3,648) and electrical system (2,100), with many owners reporting transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window explosions. This volume of complaints and recalls indicates a truck that can be capable but often requires vigilance and repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Lexus GS
- 01STEERING7
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04LANE DEPARTURE2
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners of 2016–2017 GS models report a 'sticky' or 'notchy' steering feel at highway speeds, and some say the lane-keeping assist fails on curves about half the time. These issues can make the car feel unpredictable and demand constant correction, which is a safety concern.
Complaints include melting, sticky dashboards and delaminating carbon fiber trim, especially in hot climates. While not safety-critical, these cosmetic failures hurt resale value and owner satisfaction.
A few owners report the engine surging or lunging forward unexpectedly, and others note fuel pump noise or stalling that requires a battery reset. These symptoms can lead to loss of power or unintended acceleration, though the GS has recalls for the fuel pump.
The lane-keeping assistance system is described as failing intermittently on curved highways, working only about half the time. This reduces the effectiveness of a safety feature drivers may rely on.
“The system which has intermittent failure on my 2017 Lexus GS350 is the lane keeping assistance safety option. The system seems to work almost perfectly on straight highways. But highways with curves seem to fail at about a 50% rate and human intervention is…”
“I am experiencing a persistent and potentially hazardous steering issue with my 2016 Lexus GS 350 AWD (Luxury Package). At highway speeds (typically 60 mph and above), the steering exhibits a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" sensation around the center position.…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can leave a driver stranded or in a dangerous situation on the highway.
Electrical complaints often involve the same lead frame issue, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A separate report describes a rear window defroster short causing the back window to shatter, which is a serious safety hazard.
Some owners report rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered glass, and other miscellaneous electrical gremlins. These can be costly to diagnose and fix, and may recur.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and wiring for corrosion or intermittent operation.
“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.
Lexus GS — 5 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
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
Lexus GS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus GS has far fewer complaints per year (1.6 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), meaning owners report fewer problems overall. In practice, a used GS is likely to need less frequent attention for major failures, while the F-150’s high complaint volume suggests a higher chance of encountering transmission or electrical issues.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Lexus GS averages 1.6 complaints per year; Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year—a massive gap.
- Recalls: GS has 5 recalls (all fuel pump); F-150 has 151 recalls covering engine, seat belts, latches, and air bags.
- Crash/injury reports: GS has 1 crash-related and 1 injury; F-150 has 330 crash-related and 297 injuries, reflecting both higher sales and more reported incidents.
- Top failure patterns: GS owners report steering notchiness and interior trim melting; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering.
- Test drive at highway speeds to check for sticky or notchy steering, especially around the center position.
- Inspect dashboard and interior trim for melting, stickiness, or delamination, particularly on 2016–2018 models.
- During test drive, watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Check rear window for cracks or signs of defroster damage, and verify all electrical functions including lights and sensors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been performed, especially the fuel pump recall on the GS and the many F-150 recalls.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the specific complaint areas.
- For the GS, test the lane-keeping assist on curved roads and check for any steering binding.
- For the F-150, test the transmission through all gears and check for any warning lights or limp mode symptoms.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs on the F-150.
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 | Lexus GS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 1 | 52 |
| 2018 | 3 | 79 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 Lexus GS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GS vs FORD F 150
- Lexus GS total complaints
- 16
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lexus GS total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lexus GS avg complaints/year
- 1.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GS
- Lexus GS top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN