Head-to-head reliability
Lexus IS vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus IS 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 IS vs FORD F 150: The Lexus IS averages 2.0 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints and 145 recalls. The IS has a recurring engine misfire issue, while the F-150 has frequent transmission and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus IS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a compact luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, is generally low-volume in complaints—about 2 per year over the last decade. The pattern centers on a recurring engine misfire issue that can cause power loss and shaking, plus a few reports of sticky steering and a degrading dashboard. While not high-frequency, these issues can be serious when they occur, especially the engine problem, which may require repeated dealer visits.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume—over 1,100 per year—reflecting its massive sales and widespread use. The dominant issues are transmission problems (hard shifts, jerks, and even power loss), electrical glitches (camera and pre-collision warnings), and exterior lighting failures. With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, it’s a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a service history review.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus IS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 20 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.0 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.
Lexus IS
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ENGINE5
- 04STEERING3
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
Owners report intermittent engine misfires, flashing check engine lights, reduced power, and sudden loss of acceleration. This is a safety-critical issue that can happen without warning, and multiple repair attempts may not resolve it.
The same misfire defect is often described as causing noticeable engine shaking and a loss of power. It appears to be a recurring problem, possibly related to the 8AR-FTS engine, and may require extensive diagnostics.
A few owners describe the steering feeling sticky or 'locking up' after about 45 minutes of highway driving, making lane changes difficult and potentially causing sharp, unintended corrections.
Some owners report the dashboard decomposing into a sticky, reflective surface that can obscure visibility in sunlight. This is a quality issue that can affect comfort and safety.
“I am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (NHTSA ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven…”
“This vehicle has a recurring, safety-critical defect involving intermittent engine misfires, flashing MILs, reduced engine power, sudden loss of acceleration, and noticeable engine shaking. Despite multiple repair attempts and extended diagnostics by a dealer…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is hard and delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic (10R80). Owners report jerks, clunks, and even sudden power loss or shutdown, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Frequent warnings for 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' appear on the dash, often every start. These can disable safety features and may require dealer intervention.
Headlight problems are common, with many complaints about failure or poor performance, which can reduce visibility at night and increase accident risk.
Engine-related complaints include stalling, rough running, and other performance issues, though they are less frequent than transmission problems.
“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.
Lexus IS — 1 recall
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 — 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
Lexus IS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus IS has far fewer complaints per year (2.0 vs. 1,131.1) and fewer recalls (1 vs. 145), indicating a much lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means a Lexus IS buyer is less likely to encounter major problems, but the engine misfire issue is a known concern. The F-150, while popular, has a much higher risk of transmission and electrical failures that could lead to costly repairs and safety incidents.
Key differences
- The Lexus IS has a specific engine misfire issue that can cause power loss, while the F-150's most common problem is harsh transmission shifting and occasional power loss.
- The F-150 has a much higher volume of complaints and recalls, indicating a higher likelihood of encountering problems.
- The Lexus IS has a few reports of sticky steering and dashboard degradation, which are less common but still notable.
- The F-150's electrical system issues, like camera and pre-collision warnings, are frequent and can affect safety features.
- Check for any history of engine misfire complaints or repairs, especially on 2020 models with the 8AR-FTS engine. Ask for service records showing if the issue was resolved.
- Inspect the dashboard for any sticky or shiny areas that could indicate decomposition, and test the steering for any stickiness after a long drive.
- Look for signs of transmission problems: test drive and feel for hard shifts or jerks, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears. Ask if the 10R80 transmission has been serviced or replaced.
- Check for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision system, and verify that all exterior lights work properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for any open recalls on both vehicles.
- For the Lexus IS, ask specifically about any engine misfire repairs and whether the issue recurred.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds to feel for transmission shifts and listen for any unusual noises.
- Inspect the dashboard of the Lexus IS for sticky or reflective surfaces.
- Check the F-150's electrical system by starting the vehicle and noting any warning messages on the dash.
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 IS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 4 | 33 |
| 2019 | 2 | 36 |
| 2018 | 3 | 56 |
| 2017 | 9 | 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 Lexus IS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus IS vs FORD F 150
- Lexus IS total complaints
- 20
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Lexus IS total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Lexus IS avg complaints/year
- 2.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus IS
- Lexus IS top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN