Head-to-head reliability
Lexus LC vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus LC 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 LC vs FORD F 150: The LC averages 1.2 complaints per year with 0 crash-related reports, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries. The LC's main issue is water in door handles; the F-150's is transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus LC or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus LC
The Lexus LC is a low-volume luxury coupe and convertible, averaging just 1.2 complaints per year over nine years. The main pattern is water getting into the exterior door handles, which can stop them from working. There are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, and three recalls involve the rearview camera display. Overall, it appears to be a low-complaint vehicle with a specific recurring annoyance.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year over ten years. Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode and harsh shifting, as well as electrical issues and rear window shattering. There are 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death in the data, along with 151 recalls. This suggests a much higher rate of reported problems and safety consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus LC | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 LC
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 02STRUCTURE5
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05ENGINE1
Owners report that water enters the exterior door handles or actuators, causing them to fail. This can leave a door unable to open from the outside, which is a problem if you need to exit quickly.
The same door-handle issue is also filed under structure, with owners describing it as a known, ongoing problem across many model years. A failed handle can affect entry and exit, especially in wet conditions.
One owner says the exterior door-handle mechanism stops working after rain or a car wash. This is an electrical fault that can disable the door, and the owner notes many other LC500 owners have the same issue.
A single complaint describes the car shuddering and almost stalling while pulling out of a gas station. This is an isolated report, but it could point to a fuel or propulsion hiccup worth checking.
“GOOD DAY GENTLEMEN: THIS REPORT IS CONCERNING A KNOWN, ONGOING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH LEXUS LC500 CARS FROM 2018 UP TO AND INCLUDING 2025 COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES. THE PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR HANDLES/ACTUATORS. APPARENTLY WATER SEEMS TO BE TH…”
“GOOD DAY GENTLEMEN: THIS REPORT IS CONCERNING A KNOWN, ONGOING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH LEXUS LC500 CARS FROM 2018 UP TO AND INCLUDING 2025 COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES. THE PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR HANDLES/ACTUATORS. APPARENTLY WATER SEEMS TO BE TH…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly describe transmission problems, including a 'lead frame' issue that can cause limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear. One owner said a near collision led them to replace the lead frame. These failures can happen while driving and may reduce power suddenly.
The lead frame problem also appears as an electrical complaint, with owners reporting limp mode and output speed sensor failures. A separate complaint says the rear window defroster shorted and the back window exploded outward. These electrical faults can disable the truck or cause unexpected breakage.
One owner reports the rear window shattered outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. This is a safety concern because glass can break without warning and may injure occupants.
There are 1,224 complaints about exterior lighting, though no sample text is provided. This high count suggests owners frequently report lighting failures, which can affect visibility and signaling.
“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 LC — 3 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
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 LC or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus LC has far fewer issues per year (1.2 vs. 1,162.1) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death. In practice, the LC owner is much less likely to report a serious problem, but the F-150's huge sales volume means even a small defect rate produces many complaints.
Key differences
- The Lexus LC averages 1.2 complaints per year; the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The LC's main reported issue is water in the door handles causing them to fail; the F-150's main reported issue is transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can occur while driving.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data; the LC has 0 in each category.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls, including engine, seat belt, door latch, and airbag inflator subjects; the LC has 3 recalls, all for the rearview camera display.
- Test the exterior door handles after spraying them with water or after a car wash to see if they stick or fail to open.
- Check for any shuddering or stalling when accelerating from a stop, especially after refueling, as one owner reported.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission suddenly downshifting, getting stuck in 5th gear, or entering limp mode; these are common owner complaints.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and ask if the rear window has ever exploded or been replaced.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full NHTSA recall history by VIN and confirm all recalls are repaired, especially the F-150's many engine, seat belt, and airbag recalls.
- On the Lexus LC, test every exterior door handle with water to check for the reported water-intrusion failure.
- On the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes and check the lead frame and output speed sensor, as owners report limp mode.
- For the F-150, inspect the rear window and defroster operation, and look for any signs of prior glass breakage.
- For both vehicles, request a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that knows the model, and review the complaint counts on NHTSA's website.
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 LC | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 6 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 2 | 79 |
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 LC or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus LC vs FORD F 150
- Lexus LC total complaints
- 11
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lexus LC total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lexus LC avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus LC
- Lexus LC top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN