Head-to-head reliability
Lexus LX vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus LX 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 LX vs FORD F 150: The LX has 25 complaints and 0 crash-related reports over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints, 330 crash-related, and 297 injuries. The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 17 for the LX. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus LX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus LX
The Lexus LX is a luxury SUV with a low complaint rate: 25 complaints over 10 years, averaging 2.5 per year, and 17 recalls. Most owner reports center on engine problems, including a recall for stalling and power loss, plus brake noise and backup camera issues. There are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, but the engine recall and brake complaints are worth noting for a used buyer.
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, and 151 recalls. Owners frequently report transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. The data also shows 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, making it a much more problematic vehicle in terms of reported safety incidents.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus LX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 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 LX
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
- 02ENGINE8
- 03SERVICE BRAKES3
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION2
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
Owners of 2023 and 2024 LX 600 models report receiving recall notices for engine issues, with some experiencing a sudden 'Pull Over - Vehicle Losing Power and Shutting Down' alert while driving. This can leave you stranded and may require a recall fix that isn't immediately available.
Complaints describe engine stalling and power loss, often tied to recall 25V767. One owner reported the vehicle shutting down at 65 mph, which is a serious safety concern if it happens in traffic.
Some owners hear abnormal humming or motor actuation noises when braking, and one saw a brake warning light at under 5,000 miles. These symptoms can indicate brake system issues that may affect stopping confidence.
Reports include the rearview camera showing a distorted image and the engine turning off while still in drive or reverse when pressing the engine button. This could make parking maneuvers riskier, especially on hills.
“The contact owns a 2024 Lexus LX 600. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V767000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer because the contact w…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Lexus LX 600. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V767000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact sta…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Transmission problems dominate, with owners reporting limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, highlighting the safety risk.
Electrical complaints often involve the same lead frame issue, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These faults can appear without warning and may require costly repairs.
A bizarre but reported issue is the rear window shattering outward, sometimes after using the defroster. This can happen unexpectedly and poses a risk of injury from flying glass.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific failure details aren't provided in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and may not be covered by a recall.
“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 LX — 17 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Lexus LX600, and 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles. Unexpected vehicle movement may occur when the vehicle is in neutral and the brakes are not applied.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA02 and…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tundra and Lexus LX600 vehicles equipped with a V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall and loss of drive p…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between December 17, 2024 and February 19, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB07/…
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 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX, and 2024 Lexus GX vehicles equipped with a V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will perform an inspection on the #1 main bearing using vehicle inspection software and drive data, and if necessary, replace the engine. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 28, 2026. Owners m…
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 LX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus LX has far fewer issues per year (2.5 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. In practice, this means the LX is likely to spend less time in the shop and pose fewer safety risks, while the F-150's high complaint volume suggests a greater chance of recurring problems.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus just 25 for the Lexus LX, a massive difference in reported problems.
- Ford F-150 complaints include 330 crash-related incidents, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the Lexus LX has zero in all three categories.
- Transmission and electrical issues, especially lead frame failures causing limp mode, are a recurring theme for the F-150, whereas the LX's main issues are engine recalls and brake noise.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls compared to 17 for the LX, meaning more potential safety fixes to track.
- Check for open recall 25V767 on the engine and confirm the remedy has been performed; ask for documentation.
- Listen for abnormal humming or motor noises when braking, and test the backup camera for distortion.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and ask if the defroster has caused any issues.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm they've been fixed.
- For the Lexus LX, ask for proof that the engine recall (25V767) was completed and test the brakes for noise.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive extensively to check for limp mode.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model's common issues.
- Review the owner's complaint history on NHTSA.gov for the exact year and model you're considering.
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 LX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 3 | 638 |
| 2023 | 13 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 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 LX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus LX vs FORD F 150
- Lexus LX total complaints
- 25
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lexus LX total recalls
- 17
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lexus LX avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus LX
- Lexus LX top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN