Head-to-head reliability
Lexus LS vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus LS 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 LS vs FORD F 150: The LS has 18 complaints over 10 years (1.8/year) and 0 crash-related reports, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year), 330 crash-related reports, and 297 injuries. The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 11 for the LS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus LS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus LS
The Lexus LS is a luxury sedan with a very low complaint rate: 18 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1.8 per year. Recalls are more frequent at 11, but none are linked to crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. Owner complaints center on seat comfort and electronics, such as a collision avoidance system that can blow a fuse and stop working without a dashboard warning.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year. It also has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death reported. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and a rear window that can shatter.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus LS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 18 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.8 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 LS
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 02WHEELS4
- 03SEATS3
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 05ENGINE2
Owners report issues after recall repairs, such as a collision avoidance system that blows fuses and stops working while the dash light still shows it as active. This matters because the driver may not know the safety feature is offline.
Some complaints mention wheel-related concerns, including a repeat of a prior recall issue. A buyer should verify that any open wheel recalls were completed and check for unusual noises or vibration.
Owners describe seat defects like a non-functional massage feature, a seat belt that fails to tighten or retract, and large lumps in the driver's seat that cause leg numbness. These affect comfort and, in the case of the seat belt, basic restraint function.
Complaints include a pre-collision system that released the hood in a crash and repeated premature battery failures that left the car unable to start without warning. Electrical gremlins can be frustrating and costly to diagnose.
“APEAL AGAINST THE RECALL DONE BY LEXUS TOYOTA ON MAY 16TH, 2019, I TOOK MY CAR LEXUS 2018 LS 500 TO THE DEALER, LEXUS OF WOODLAND HILLS, WHERE I BOUGHT IT, FOR BEING RECALLED BY THE COMPANY. (NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V-134) AFTER RECALL DEFECTS WERE FIXED, I DROVE…”
“THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM BLOWS FUSES AND STOPS WORKING, BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CONTINUES TO INDICATE THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO WAY TO LEARN THAT THE COLLISION SYSTEM IS OFFLINE UNLESS YOU'RE WILLING TO SIMULATE A NEAR CE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. These issues can leave the truck underpowered or unable to shift, which is a serious drivability and safety concern.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue affecting electrical signals, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, and some are tied to safety recalls.
One owner reported a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to explode outward and shatter. This is a rare but alarming failure that a buyer should be aware of.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint category, though specific sample text is not provided. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and may be a recurring annoyance on higher-mileage trucks.
“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 LS — 11 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classif…
The risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 2…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
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 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to crack, possibly resulting in the tire tread l…
The risk: If the tire tread layer separates from the vehicle, vehicle handling and stability may be affected, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. The Toyota number for this recall is KLC.
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 LS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus LS has far fewer issues per year, averaging 1.8 complaints annually versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, the LS is likely to spend less time in the shop for unexpected problems, while the F-150 has a much higher volume of owner-reported failures, including serious transmission and electrical faults.
Key differences
- The Lexus LS has 18 complaints over 10 years; the Ford F-150 has 11,621, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data; the LS has 0 in each of those categories.
- Ford F-150 owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while Lexus LS owners more often report seat comfort and electronic glitches.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 11 for the LS, meaning more potential safety campaigns to track and complete.
- Test the collision avoidance system and check for blown fuses, since owners report it can stop working while the dash light still shows it as active.
- Inspect the front seats for lumps or defects and confirm the seat belt retracts and tightens properly, as owners report seat belt and seat comfort failures.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners commonly report.
- Check the rear window defroster and look for any signs of electrical shorts, since one owner reported the back window shattering after using the defroster.
Before you buy
- Ask for a complete recall history and confirm all open recalls are repaired before purchase, especially for the F-150's many campaigns.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission hesitation or limp mode on the F-150.
- On the Lexus LS, test every electronic feature, including the collision avoidance system, seat adjustments, and seat belt retractors.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle for the specific issues reported to NHTSA, such as transmission codes on the F-150 or battery drain on the LS.
- Check the NHTSA website by VIN for any unrepaired recalls and factor the cost of potential repairs into your offer.
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 LS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 1 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 1 | 52 |
| 2018 | 10 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 LS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus LS vs FORD F 150
- Lexus LS total complaints
- 18
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lexus LS total recalls
- 11
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lexus LS avg complaints/year
- 1.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus LS
- Lexus LS top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN