Head-to-head reliability
Lexus NX vs FORD F 150
How the Lexus NX 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 NX vs FORD F 150: Over 10 years, the NX averaged 30.5 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also had 330 crash-related complaints versus 38 for the NX. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus NX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is a compact luxury SUV that, based on owner complaints, tends to have fewer reported issues per year than the Ford F-150. Over 10 years, it averaged about 30.5 complaints annually, with electrical system problems being the most common. Owners often report warning lights, loss of power brakes, and starting issues, but the overall complaint volume is relatively low. This suggests that while the NX is not trouble-free, it may be a more manageable used vehicle for buyers who prioritize fewer trips to the shop.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, according to NHTSA data, has a much higher rate of owner complaints—averaging over 1,100 per year. The most frequent issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Many complaints describe serious problems like transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can affect drivability and safety. Buyers should be aware that the F-150's popularity means a large number of reported issues, and some can be costly or dangerous.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus NX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 305 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 38 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 30 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 NX
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM97
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER64
- 03STRUCTURE37
- 04SERVICE BRAKES21
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE21
Owners report that all warning lights can illuminate at once, sometimes accompanied by loss of air conditioning and power brakes. Another complaint describes the car failing to start and locking the driver inside. These issues can leave you stranded or unable to control the vehicle, so a thorough electrical check is wise.
Some owners complain about inadequate side mirror visibility for shorter drivers, and others report that a small pebble can puncture the air conditioning condenser, leading to a refrigerant leak. These are not safety recalls but can affect comfort and repair costs.
Reports include a fuel door that does not open due to misalignment, even after dealer repairs. This is a minor but frustrating issue that can affect everyday usability.
One owner expressed deep disappointment with service on a pre-owned 2021 NX 300, though the specific brake failure is not detailed. This suggests that brake-related problems, while not widespread, can lead to costly repairs and dissatisfaction.
“While driving our Lexus on 8/13/2023 on the interstate under normal driving conditions ALL of our warning lights came on one after another. We also lost air conditioning and power brakes it seemed. We immediately exited and pulled over. Opened the hood and th…”
“The electrical system failed. It operates just about all the systems including items that are normally operated manually. My wife entered the car and pressed the start button and the car would not start. The car locked my wife inside with no manual method for…”
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 and getting stuck in 5th gear, as well as lead frame issues that can cause sudden loss of power. These defects can lead to dangerous driving situations and expensive repairs.
Complaints include lead frame failures that affect the electrical system and a rear window defroster short that can cause the back window to shatter. These issues can be safety hazards and costly to fix.
A reported short in the rear window defroster led to the back window exploding outward. This is a serious safety concern that buyers should be aware of.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. This could mean frequent bulb failures or more serious wiring problems, affecting visibility and safety.
“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 NX — 15 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 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federa…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L 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. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TA01 and 25LA01.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480…
The risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall…
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 NX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lexus NX has far fewer complaints per year (about 30.5) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). This means that, on average, NX owners report fewer problems, but the F-150's issues are often more severe, involving the power train and electrical systems. In practice, the NX may require less frequent repairs, while the F-150 could present more serious and costly defects.
Key differences
- The Lexus NX averages about 30.5 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages over 1,100, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the F-150.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report power train issues like transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, which can cause sudden loss of power; Lexus NX complaints are more often about electrical glitches and minor structural annoyances.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 15 for the NX, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes over the years.
- Lexus NX complaints include electrical system failures that can disable power brakes and starting, while F-150 complaints include a rear window defroster short that can shatter the back window.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs, especially if warning lights illuminate intermittently or if the car has had starting issues.
- Inspect the fuel door operation and alignment, as some owners report it not opening even after dealer fixes.
- Test drive the truck extensively to check for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or going into limp mode, which could indicate a lead frame or speed sensor problem.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous window replacement due to shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned for each model.
- For the Lexus NX, test all electrical functions, including lights, infotainment, and power accessories, and check for any warning messages.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes and test the rear defroster and window integrity.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to the electrical system, transmission, or structural components.
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 NX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 35 |
| 2025 | 36 | 345 |
| 2024 | 183 | 638 |
| 2023 | 31 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 16 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 34 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 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 NX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus NX vs FORD F 150
- Lexus NX total complaints
- 305
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lexus NX total recalls
- 15
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lexus NX avg complaints/year
- 30.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lexus NX
- Lexus NX top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN